This news will be of great interest to all Mark Twain Forum Members:

The July/August 1998 (Vol. 8, No. 7/8) issue of _Firsts_ The Book
Collector's Magazine_ contains the first of a two-part series on "Collecting
Mark Twain" written by Kevin MacDonnell, of MacDonnell Rare Books, Austin,
Texas.  MacDonnell prepared all of the articles for this issue about Twain
including "The Leap to Fame," "A History of Twain Collecting," and "The
Primary First Editions," (a book-by-book analysis of Twain's major works,
including first edition identification and points of issue.  The magazine is
a 76-page glossy with spectacular color and black-and-white photos of Twain
and his works.  The cover of the current issue features a color photo of the
cover of _The Adventures of Tom Sawyer_ and the issue is entitled "Summer
with Mark Twain."  The September issue of _Firsts_ will present the second
of two issues devoted to Mark Twain.

This is a magnificent issue which is destined to become an indispensable
reference for years to come--as well as being a much sought-after
collectible.  The price of the magazine is $4.50.

-- Kevin B.