Lot 377

Mark Twain, Who Has Said, "The report of my death was an exaggeration." ALS on his Death & Cremation! Ex-Sotheby's, Ex-Christie's

Previous image preload Next image preload

Mark Twain, Who Has Said, "The report of my death was an exaggeration." ALS on his Death & Cremation! Ex-Sotheby's, Ex-Christie's

Estimate: $3,500 - $5,500

Current Bid: $1,200

(1 Bid)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Mark Twain
Hartford, CT, February 23, 1887
Mark Twain, Who Has Said, "The report of my death was an exaggeration." ALS on his Death & Cremation! Ex-Sotheby's, Ex-Christie's
ALS

Samuel L. Clemens (1835-1910). Autograph letter signed, "S.L. Clemens," 1p, on Charles L. Webster & Company letterhead, 5.75" x 9.75", Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 1887. Expected transmittal folds and creases. Faint pencil notations from a former collector at recto and verso. Minor chipping, with a few small tears at top and right edges, not affecting Clemens' handwriting. Mounting remnants to an otherwise blank verso. Toning along lower left edge recto. In near fine condition.

Ex-Christie's. Ex-Sotheby's, 1992, $4,675. Includes collector's notes indicating that Jim Lowe was used as agent and buyer was willing to go to $7,000 plus commission at auction.

Clemens writes to one Mr. Edwards, in full:

"I am downright ashamed but I've got to beg you to give me one more show, & then I'll come if alive, or send the corpse if I ain't. The only thing that could have come in the way to prevent my being with the Lambs Sunday Evening, has happened: my sister has arrived to-day from California for a six-day visit; & as we are not likely to meet again this side of the crematory, it is naturally my desire to be with her all I can. Gimme another show!"

Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, frequently quipped about death. In our letter, he writes that he'll "come if alive, or send the corpse if I ain't" and that he and his sister are "not likely to meet again this side of the crematory." In 1897, he most famously wrote "The report of my death was an exaggeration," after newspapers mistakenly reported his demise. Notably linking his life and death to Halley's Comet, Twain said, "It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's Comet." Born in 1835 during the comet's visit, he predicted he would go out with it in 1910, which he did.

Clemens had six siblings, though only three survived into adulthood. The sister mentioned in our letter is Pamela Ann Clemens Moffett (1827-1904), with whom Samuel maintained a close personal relationship throughout his life. Pamela was known as a musical, intellectually energetic woman who sometimes took charge of her younger brother. Eight years older than Samuel, she was a supportive sibling with whom he exchanged many letters.

The Lambs, established in New York in 1874 as a professional theatrical club, was a place where Twain was known to spend time and connect with performers. Although he was closely associated with The Lambs, he is not listed in their archives as a member. The club's historical records note that the famous one-man play "Mark Twain Tonight" was first produced in The Lambs' theater.

Clemens founded Charles L. Webster & Company as a subscription publishing firm in New York in 1884, naming the firm after his niece's husband, Charles L. Webster (1851-1891), whom Clemens appointed the firm's business director. With the firm as selling agent for his Mississippi book and for his plays, Clemens was hoping to earn a dual income as both author and publisher of books. Ten years later, the firm was closed after declaring bankruptcy.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 5.75" x 9.75"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000