Lot Details
Lot 22
Clemens, Samuel L. (Mark Twain)
Autograph letter signed ("S.L. Clemens"), two pages, 8vo, Elmira, NY, 1 September 1886, to "Dear Clara [Spaulding]", followed by autograph manuscript poem, two pages, entitled "S'klk! G'lang!."
Headed "To the Bride," Clemens's letter congratulates her on her wedding and assures her of "the fondness & esteem which I bear you, & have borne these many years." He writes, "Reverses may come to all; & if that time shall ever come to you & me, it will find us prepared: undismayed, ready for the worst & cheerful to meet it..." The letter and poem are built around references to horse-car tickets and travel. The poem is written in five stanzas, four of them written around references to Mongolfier, the balloonist, Christopher Columbus, George Stephenson and the prophet Elijah. The "L'Envoi" reads "When troubles loom, & thunders boom, / And darkly rolls your tide, / Don't mope around, but smile, / Rouse hope, my child-- / And hail! & take a ride." Accompanied by photograph snapshot of Clemens and an unidentified veiled lady on shipboard (possibly Ms. Spaulding with Clemens en route to Europe during one of their Transatlantic trips), mounted on card, 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches.
Provenance: Clara Spaulding Stanchfield, by descent to the present owner.
Property of a Maryland Family
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