Harper's August, Tom Sawyer Detective by Mark Twain by Edward Penfield, 1897

Lithograph of Edward Penfield’s 1897 advertisement for Mark Twain's short story, Tom Sawyer Detective (1896).

While this poster was printed in multiple sizes and formats, this edition of 40 strikes on Japon paper from 1897 is the most desirable and extremely scarce edition. Japon paper allows inks to rest upon its surface rather than being absorbed by a more permeable paper stock. The rare, small format poster lithographs created at this time were printed using rich, dense, lead inks.

This lithograph was published in 1897 by Verlag von Gerhard Kühtmann in Dresden. Paper measures 8 1/2 x 11 3/4 inches. Very minor bending in upper right corner, extremely minor discoloration by lower edge,  minor toning along upper, right, and lower edges. Image is pristine and will display beautifully. This artwork is presented in archival rag mat and arrives accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Notable museum collections featuring works by Edward Penfield include: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; Museum of Modern Art, New York City; Art Institute of Chicago; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.; Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and more.