Mark Twain's first book.			Published in May 1867 in New York by C.H. Webb; there were no illustrations, unlike the majority of Twain's books.
A collection of 27 previously released pieces, written during Twain's years as a newspaper writer in Nevada and California.				Earliest writing, "Curing A Cold," was released in 1863; the latest, "Concerning Chambermaids," was written in December 1866.
Writings originally appeared in eight different papers.			Original price was $1.50.

"There was a feller here once by the name of Jim Smiley, in the winter of '49 — or may be it was the spring of '50 — I don't recollect exactly, somehow, though what makes me think it was one or the other is because I remember the big flume wasn't finished when he first came to the camp; but any way, he was the curiosest curiousest man about always betting on any thing that turned up you ever see, if he could get any body to bet on the other side; and if he couldn't, he'd change sides. Any way that suited the other man would suit him — any way just so's he got a bet, he was satisfied. But still he was lucky, uncommon lucky; he most always come out winner He was always ready and laying for a chance; there couldn't be no solitry thing mentioned but that feller'd offer to bet on it, and take any side you please, as I was just telling you. If there was a horse-race, you'd find him flush, or you'd find him busted at teh end of it; if there was a dog-fight, he'd bet on it; if there was a cat-fight he'd bet on it; why, if there was two birds setting on a fence, he would bet you which one would fly first; or if there was a camp-meeting, he would be there reg'lar, to bet on Parson Walker, which he judged to be the best exhorter about here, and so he was, too, and a good man. If he even seen a straddle-bug start to go anywheres, he would bet you how long it would take him to get wherever he was going to, and if you took him up, he would foller that stradle-bug to Mexico but what he would find out where he was bound for and and how long he was on the road. Lots of the boys here has seen that Smiley, and can tell you about him. Why, it never made no difference to him — he would bet on anything — the dangdest feller. Parson Walker's wife laid very sick once, for a good while, and it seemed as if they warn't going to save her; but one morning he come in, and Smiley asked how she was, and he said she was considerable better — thank the Lord for his inf'nit mercy — and coming on so smart that, with the blessing of Prov'dence, she'd get well yet; and Smiley, before he thought, says, "Well, I'll risk two-and-a-half that she don't, any way."

Dedicated to "John Smith, whom I have known in divers and sundry places about the world, and whose many and manifold virtues did always command my esteem....It is said that the man to whom a volume is dedicated, always buys a copy. If this proves true in the present instance, a princely affluence is about to burst upon the author."
The New York Times, on May 4, 1867, said: "There is a great deal of quaint humor and much pithy wisdom in his writings...."				Twain removed all allusions to death and drinking from the pieces in order to conform to Eastern sensibilities.
Twain felt great dissatisfaction with the book, writing to his future wife: "I hate to hear that infamous volume mentioned. I would be glad to know that every copy of was burned,& gone forever."			"The Celebrated Jumping Frog" was a financial failure; it went out of print for over 100 years, until it was rereleased in 1996.

"Now, if you're ready, set him alongside of Dan'l, with his fore-paws just even with Dan'l, and I'll give the word." Then he says, "One—two—three—jump!" and him and the feller touched up the frogs from behind, and the new frog hopped off, but Dan'l give a heave, and hysted up his shoulders—so—like a Frenchman, but it wan't no use—he could'nt budge; he was planted as solid as an anvil, and he couldn't no more stir than if he was anchored out. Smiley was a god deal surprised, and he was disgusted too, but he didn't have no idea what the matter was, of course."

The feller took the money and started away; and when he was going out at the door, he sorter jerked his thumb over his shoulders — this way — at Dan'l, and says again, very deliberate, "Well, I don't see no p'ints about that frog that's any better'n any other frog."

Please credit all information to: Michael Waisman, "About Mark Twain," http://www.geocities.com/swaisman, 1999.