Following the Equator – Mark Twain – 1897 | First Edition, Illustrated with 193 Images

Following the Equator is a travelogue by Mark Twain, composed as a social commentary while on a tour of the British Empire. Known for his wit and satirical observations on the absurdities of social norms, Twain was a giant of 19^th-century literature even outside of the United States. His works and recognizable characters such as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were immensely popular, even when his critique of society was biting. Though Following the Equator is a work of nonfiction, it embodies Twain’s scathing humor as he provides commentary on the racism, religious intolerances, and social oppressions prevalent in the British Empire. Interestingly, Twain chose to embellish the text with fictional anecdotes, such as a tale of how the discovery of a newspaper in the belly of a shark led to the financial success of British mining magnate Cecil Rhodes.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Following the equator, a journey around the world
• Author: Mark Twain
• Publisher: Hartford, Conn.: American Publishing Company
• Edition: First Edition, First Printing 1897
  • Includes signature mark “11” on p. 161
• Binding: Original publisher’s blue cloth with gilt spine and pictorial front panel
• Format: Octavo (8vo), single volume
• Size: ~ 9.25in X 6.5in (23.5cm x 16.5cm)
• Collation: 712 pp
• Illustrations: 193 illustrations
• Contents Include:
  • Twain’s complete global travel narrative based on his 1895 lecture tour
  • One hundred ninety-three illustrations by multiple artists
• Reference(s): BAL 3451

Condition:

Good. The original binding is secure, with tight hinges and a shaken but intact text block. There is mild rubbing to the edges and boards, with some fading of the spine. Pages are complete and clean with mild toning and scattered spotting throughout.

Why Collect This?

• First Printing of one of Twain’s major world travelogues
• Contains an extensive illustration suite
• Desirable American Publishing Company decorated cloth binding

Item Number: # 31312