Lot 441

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Description:

SAMUEL L. CLEMENS
(1835 - 1910) "Mark Twain", American author of such classics as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Fine content A.Ms.S. "Mark Twain", 1p. 8vo., Jan. 23, [n.y.], the conclusion of an article concerning literary piracy and copyright law. In part: "......Shall have been established by using it in collecting a debt owed by the United States. This being merely a domestic measure with no improper intent, no purpose hostile to Christian Civilization, no office indeed, but to keep order & tranquility in our back yard, preserve our self-respect & discourage chartered piracy in our waters ["in our waters" crossed out but legible] and opera bouffe exhibitions of undangerous old-world militarism in our waters, would meet with a ready & cordial welcome & acceptance at the hands of the honourable the Managers & Directors of the International Law Factory, I am sure...". Twain, along with many other prominent authors such as Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens and Benjamin Disraeli battled against plagiarism. Twain's phrases "In our back yard" and "in our waters" probably refer to Canada, a particular problem for Twain who established temporary residence in Canada to circumvent piracy. In 1896, the United States finally joined the International Copyright Union. Small marginal tear expertly repaired, otherwise very good condition.

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March 30, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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