Twain, Mark [Clemens, S.L.]

8vo (214 x 164mm.), PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO MARY FINLAY ("To | Miss Mary Finlay | With the best wishes of | Mark Twain | Hartford, October 11th, 1899") on the front free endpaper, portrait frontispiece, illustrations by E.W. Kemble, original green pictorial cloth gilt, top edge dark green, collector's green cloth folding box by the Dragonfly bindery, slightly rubbed at head and foot spine

see BAL 3145

Condition is as described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Mary Finlay was the daughter of Francis D. Finlay (1832-1917), the former owner of the Belfast newspaper the Northern Whig, which his own father had founded and run until his death in 1857. The Finlay family had become acquainted with the Clemens' when they visited the Great Britain during 1873.

After much urging on the part of Twain ("My dear Finlay", wrote Twain in November 1874, "Now one of these days you must come over here. Never mind the sea. Come over in winter, on skates..."), Finlay and his daughter eventually arrived in America in August 1889. Twain proposed that they visit Hartford on 10 and 11 October. It was then that he presented this inscribed copy of Huckleberry Finn to Mary.