CHICAGO, IL.- Just in time for the long-anticipated re-release of Mark Twain’s edited autobiography, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers announced the November 18th sale of a fine collection of literary manuscripts by esteemed American authors, including Twain (Samuel L. Clemens) and Ernest Hemingway, which will undoubtedly arouse interest from collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The highlight of the sale is an original manuscript chapter from Mark Twain’s A Tramp Abroad ($30-50,000). Finely bound in blue leather with a custom title page for the composer, Leo Kern, this rare offering comprises the complete 38-page chapter 42, pertaining to Twain’s travels in Switzerland, with corresponding pages from the printed edition bound at the rear. Twain made no attempts to reclaim the manuscript draft after publication, and it was subsequently broken up by the publishing company and dispersed. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is thus proud to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind piece of revered literary history.

Another significant literary manuscript is a rare handwritten essay by Ernest Hemingway presumably written while he was a student at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, Illinois, between 1913 and 1917 ($5,000-7,000). The essay may provide insight into Hemingway’s preoccupation with the themes of competition and combat in his writing later in life.

In addition to the strong literature session, the sale will also features highlights from a broad range of categories including Natural History, Travel and Exploration, Fine Bindings, Art and Americana. Highlights include an elaborate jeweled Sangorski and Sutcliffe binding, embellished with a total of 118 jewels ($15,000-20,000), a signed George Washington document ($6,000-8,000), numerous botanical prints, and a fine collection of Chicago memorabilia, including rare pre-fire views of the city before the Great Fire of 1871.

The auction will be held at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Chicago gallery at 12pm on Thursday, November 18th. The books, manuscripts and prints will be on public exhibition Sunday, November 14, through Wednesday, November 17th.