Sketches New and Old published by American Publishing Company in 1875 carried the cover logo and title Sketches by Mark Twain.

The book was a collection of Twain's previously published stories and essays from his earlier newspaper and magazine contributions which were not copyrighted. It was illustrated by artist True Williams.

When Alexander Belford published his edition of Sketches by Mark Twain, Clemens sued Belford claiming infringement upon the use of his pen name "Mark Twain." If was the first attempt by an author to claim a pen name as a trade mark.

Sketches by Mark Twain published by Belford & Company, 1880. Smaller in size and unillustrated (with the exception of end pieces for each story) was issued without permission from Samuel Clemens and contained much of the same material as the book issued by American Publishing Company in 1875.

Clemens sued Belford and his partner James Clarke. (Clarke's name was misspelled as "Clark" in some papers filed with the lawsuit. The transcription of the lawsuit at this site does not correct that misspelling.)