Description:

Samuel Clemens ALS Mentioning Lincoln National Bank & Harpers

1p, measuring 4.875" x 8", New York, dated October 9, 1904. Signed "SLC" and addressed to Miss Katherine Harrison, secretary to his friend Henry H. Rogers. The letter is written on The Grosvenor Hotel letterhead. With a horizontal flattened mail fold and toning at the edges. There is a spot of soiling at the top left corner. Boldly signed.

Clemens provides Miss Harrison with information on where to deposit future incoming money, writing in full: "Hereafter won't you please place the monthly money from Harpers & the Tarrytown house-rent to my credit in the Lincoln National Bank instead of the Guaranty Trust. I mean to try to live on that, (& shan't succeed). Good-bye. I shall call soon…[postscript] You notice I have changed my hotel." 

Following the death of his wife Livy, who had suffered a serious two year illness, Clemens moved to New York City and began writing his autobiography. He had fallen into a deep depression that had begun with the death of his daughter Susy in 1896 and was worsened by the death of Livy. His fortunes had also begun to fall, and his publishing company went bankrupt. Clemens' friendship with Rogers helped him through much of his struggles, and Twain saw the Rogers family as a surrogate family. The year after this letter was written, Clemens wrote a pacifist story, "The War Prayer", which he submitted to "Harper's Bazaar". Unfortunately, the magazine rejected the story, and as Clemens had an exclusive contract with them, the story would not be published until nearly 20 years later.

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.

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September 29, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
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