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Special Feature

Samuel L. Clemens vs. Belford, Clarke & Company

The Book | Bill of Complaint | Demurrer | The Court's Decision


Alexander Belford's unauthorized reprinting of Mark Twain's book Sketches New and Old led to a copyright lawsuit which wound its way through a Chicago court in the early 1880s. Samuel Clemens claimed his nom de plume "Mark Twain" was a trademark not to be infringed upon. The court disagreed.

Clemens portrait

Clemens signature

 

Twain's Sketches

Sketches New & Old
published by
American Pub. Co.
1875

subpoena

Belford portrait

Belford signature

Belford's edition of Twain's Sketches

Sketches by Mark Twain
published by
Belford & Co. 1880

A reprint of Clemens original version of the book is now available from amazon.com


Samuel L. Clemens vs. Belford, Clarke & Company

The Book | Bill of Complaint | Demurrer | The Court's Decision

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