Masterpieces of American Eloquence

[Mark Twain (contributor)]. Julia Ward Howe (introduction). Masterpieces of American Eloquence. [Christian Herald Selection]. New York: Christian Herald, 1900. First edition. Octavo (8.5 x 6.375 inches; 215 x 160 mm.). [2, title-leaf (copyright on verso)], 504 pages. Frontispiece portrait of Abraham Lincoln inserted, several other full-page portraits throughout (including Twain on page [429], illustrated tailpieces and initials. Publisher's red cloth, spine lettered in black (?) and stamped in white, front board lettered in white and stamped in gilt; all edges of the text block trimmed; plain endpapers. Covers lightly rubbed; backstrip slightly darkened; stamping and lettering worn and partially rubbed away; gilt tarnished; spine ends and corners bumped and worn. Text slightly sagging, as expected with such a heavy text block; hinges cracked but holding firm. Good. Contains first printings of two Mark Twain speeches: "The Discounts of an Author" and "An Author's Soldiering." BAL 3462. (#10122).