Published in London, at Chatto and Windus, 1876. The book has original red cloth with border and cover design blocked in black and lettering in gilt, cream coated endpapers. Housed in a blue quarter morocco solander box.

   This is the true First edition, published on 9 June 1876, thus preceding the first American edition by some six months. The American Publishing Company finally published its edition in December 1876, which was the first illustrated edition of Tom Sawyer.

   Twain chose to have the book published first in London to ensure copyright and perhaps also because he was more highly esteemed in Britain than at home. Oxford conferred an honorary doctorate on Twain in 1907, three years before his death, an honor grander than any he ever received in America.