Samuel Clemens` hero Tom Sawyer loved mischief, adventure and his girlfriend, Becky Thatcher. Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, based the characters of ”The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” on people he knew in his childhood: Becky`s character was based on his own childhood sweetheart, Laura Hawkins Frazer. In 1902, Clemens presented Frazer with a copy of the book, which she later gave as a gift to her nephew.
Frazer`s personal copy of ”Tom Sawyer,” signed in her own hand in pencil on the inside, is one of many well-known books for sale this weekend at the Chicago International Antiquarian Book Fair. At $3,500, this book may seem a bargain-a two-volume, first edition of Adam Smith`s ”Wealth of Nations” is priced at $25,000-but items at the fair sell for as little as $5, said spokeswoman Ruth Rashman. Items range from incunabula, books printed before 1500 A.D., to country-style cookbooks. Also be sure to check out a Babe Ruth autograph and a 1896 signed check Henry Ford used to buy lumber for the frame of his first automobile.
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Chicago International Antiquarian Book Fair; Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St.; noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; $5 admission.
708-835-4990.
