The Mark Twain Archive: The Merron Collection

In 1994, Mark Twain collector Jules Merron presented Elmira College with over 200 items from his collection. The collection contains many superb copies of rare and early editions of Twain's work, salesman's copies, limited editions and unique items, such as fine examples of Mark Twain's Self Pasting Scrapbook and the Memory builder game. One of the outstanding pieces in the collection is a rare 1852 issue of The Carpetbag. Published in Boston and containing Twain's first appearance in print outside of Hannibal, it is the earliest known example of his work as humorist.