I am posting this on behalf of The Keokuk Public Library Foundation.

Kevin B.
~~~~~~


The Adventures of
Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass

By Mark Twain

In 1928 book editor and Associated Press reporter Charles Honce, originally
from Keokuk, published a collection of Samuel Clemens writings in a limited
edition of 375 books.  Honce found three letters written by Clemens for the
Keokuk Daily Post in 1856 and published them to preserve Clemens' earliest
writing.  The book was The Adventures of Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass by Mark
Twain, edited by Charles Honce, with a foreword by Vincent Starrett, and a
note on "A Celebrated Village Idiot" by James O'Donnell Bennett.  The story
is purported to be about Samuel Clemens's brother Orion, a Keokuk printer.

The Keokuk Public Library Foundation has recently republished the book.
Five hundred numbered copies of this letterpress facsimile edition have been
printed on Neenah Classic Laid paper.  Type face used is 12 pt Baskerville,
composed on a model 31 Linotype by a University of Iowa student, Bethany
Templeton.  Bud Lang printed the book on a Heidelberg Windmill 10 x 15
Letterpress printing press with Gary Frost, of Iowa Book Works, doing the
binding.  All of the work is being done in Denmark, Iowa with overall
project management by Larry Raid.  Sandy Seabold has overseen the project
for the Keokuk Public Library Foundation, and has been advised by the Center
for the Book at the University of Iowa.

The book is a close reproduction of the 1928 edition, except for one
addition.  Tom Dreasler has provided a photograph of a painting of Clemens
as a young man to be used as the frontispiece.  The portrait is owned by the
Keokuk Public Library and is thought to be the earliest painting of Samuel
Clemens. The picture was printed in black and white.

Books are now available for purchase, for $49.95.  If you are interested in
purchasing a copy, please call the library at (319) 524-1483 or send payment
to The Keokuk Public Library, 210 N 5th St, Keokuk, IA 52632. Please add $5
for media mail shipping. Books are also available at Courtyard Books in
Keokuk. Limited Edition of 500

For further information, go to:

http://www.keokuk.lib.ia.us/archive/2007/09/snodgrass-pr/

<end>