1883 The Stolen White Elephant by Mark Twain - Antique Book - Early Edition

In very good condition, here is an early antique hardback edition of The Stolen White Elephant by Mark Twain. Published in the UK in 1883, (just one year after the first US edition), by Chatto and Windus, London. Appears un-read as a number of pages remain uncut. Condition in detail below.

A satirical story, a biting parody of the detective fiction genre—popularized in Twain's era by writers like Edgar Allan Poe—and a hilarious critique of police incompetence, self-importance, and bureaucratic red tape.

Contemporary readers enjoyed the book's broad farce and slapstick ridiculousness. Because Twain was already a literary megastar, his satire of public institutions—specifically the police—resonated strongly with a public that was increasingly weary of municipal corruption and boastful "celebrity" detectives.

Reviews praised Twain's sharp wit and ability to turn an absurd premise into an entertaining parody of the detective genre (which had been growing in popularity following Edgar Allan Poe and early sensation novels).

Over time, literary scholars have viewed the story as a key turning point in Twain's career. It marked his shift toward darker, more biting social satire and anti-bureaucratic cynicism—themes that would define much of his later writing.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound with no inscriptions or markings of previous ownership. As mentioned above, there are some pages which have never been cut open. Lovely patterned endpapers. Unillustrated.

Bright red cloth over boards have black and gilt decoration to the front and spine. Again in good order. The spine having faded just a little, and with a small pull-tear to the head (see photos). Also a small split to the surface cloth on the front hinge at the top of the spine.

Your antique copy of The Stolen Elephant will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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H 19.5 cm x W 14.5 cm, 285 pages, 0.56 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK (with the exception of a small number of countries).

* If you would prefer for your parcel not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging, please add a note to the order.

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