IN MEMORIAM PETER FENELON COLLIER

Twain, Mark [Clemens, S. L.] Collier, Robert J., ed. IN MEMORIAM PETER FENELON COLLIER. New York: Privately Printed, 1910. First edition, one of 985 copies, signed by the editor, Collier's son, Robert J. Collier. Gray boards, gilt, t.e.g., uncut. Mild rubbing, else a fine crisp copy of this fragile volume that is usually found in terrible shape. Contains the first printing of a Twain condolence letter at page 81. Also includes letters from Theodore Roosevelt, society friends, minor authors and editors, and informative obituaries from major magazines and newspapers. Robert J. Collier had taken control of his father's publishing businesses several years earlier, and became a good friend of Twain as well; it was Robert Collier who pulled the famous prank on Twain by sending him a "baby elephant" for Christmas. A finely printed memorial volume for Twain's friend, the book and magazine publisher. Printed on French handmade paper (Arches), and illustrated with numerous mounted photographs of Collier engaged in his favorite activities (steeplechase, polo, fox-hunting, etc.). A much rarer book than the limitation would suggest. OCLC locates only 11 copies (compare this to 18 copies of a similar volume limited to 152 copies). Copies rarely appear in the market; all of this would strongly suggest that only a small portion of the edition ever got distributed. Johnson, p. 119. Not in BAL.