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>