The Jumping Frog by Twain, Mark - 1985

Easthampton: Cheloniidae Press, 1985. Hardcover. Both volumes fine in matching fine green water silvered cloth clam shell box. Unique artist's copy. The Twain tale, 20 x 14.5 cm. is housed in a separate compartment in the clam shell box, noted "Artists copy" and signed on the colophon in pencil by Robinson. This version is the "Private Printing of The `Jumping Frog' story" that first appeared in the North American Review, April 1894. Printed by the Wild Carrot Letterpress with 15 wood engravings printed by Harold McGrath in an edition of 325. Laid-in at the front cover is a water color of a frog, "to Dick," and signed by Alan Robinson. The separate book, 29 x 20 cm. houses the 16 original watercolors of the engravings (noted "Watercolors" on front cover) with each plate signed in pencil by Robinson. Laid-in is an inscribed and signed thank you letter by Robinson on sheet, "Press of The Sea Turtle" to collector Dick Callaway, stating: "This copy of The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is my Artist's Copy." A second note to Callaway reads, Dear Dick, Thanks again for contributing to my waistline! I hope you are doing well. You are too good of a friend to me. Love Alan." Book in gray silver faux bois boards, spine of silver lettered green morocco. Watercolors in full green water silvered cloth with front cover inset.