Editorial Wild-Oats – Mark Twain – 1905 First Edition – Signed and Dated by Samuel L. Clemens
 
A very good first edition of Mark Twain’s 1905 collection of journalism‑themed sketches—rarely found signed, especially this late in his life. Twain has signed and dated the book; "Truly Yours, Mark Twain" on the front pastedown, a practice he adopted in his final years to prevent autograph removal. Below the signature, in the same ink, the date "May 11, 1908, New York City" appears to be written in Twain's own hand.
 
Publication Details: Published by Harper & Brothers in September 1905, Editorial Wild-Oats gathers six humorous pieces Twain originally wrote decades earlier, all centered on his chaotic apprenticeship in the newspaper trade. Includes: “My First Literary Venture,” “Journalism in Tennessee,” & “Nicodemus Dodge—Printer.” The book is Illustrated by Frederick Strothmann, known for his work on Twain's The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County and Extracts from Adam’s Diary.
Physical Description & Condition: Octavo (8 1/4 x 5 1/2). Original red cloth with black and white stamped illustration. Frontispiece and additional plates. 106 pages. A solid, very good example, clean, tight, and well‑preserved with lightly bumped and rubbed corners, sunning to the spine, and softened spine tips. Interior crisp. Signature bold and clear on the front pastedown.
 
Collectability: While not among Twain’s scarcest titles, Editorial Wild-Oats is increasingly desirable in first edition—and genuinely scarce signed. Late-life Clemens signatures are prized, and his habit of signing on the pastedown adds authenticity and provenance. A standout copy for any Twain collector or Americana library.
 
**Note - Samuel Clements was indeed living in New York city on May 11, 1908, when this book was signed. From November 1904 to June 1908, he would reside in his townhouse at 21 Fifth Avenue. Within a month of the signing however, he would move one last time to his estate, "Stormfield" in Reading Ct. (Twain died at Stormfield in 1910)