NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2012 Sep 28 @ 11:00UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
Clemens writes Livy on the eve of delivering his famous "Babies" speech before U. S. Grant
(1835 - 1910) "Mark Twain", American author of such classics as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court A.L.S. with holograph envelope addressed to "Mrs. S. L. Clemens Hartford Conn", 2pp. 8vo., "Palmer House", Chicago, Nov. 11 [1879], in pencil. In part: "..."Livy darling, George and I walked over 76 miles yesterday, round about the town, inspecting the outsides of beautiful and costly dwellings, the water-works machinery, the street decorations for the [Ulysses S.] Grant reception and so forth, had a good time. He went west last night and I went to three theatres with a lot of newspaper men; staid but a few minutes at two of them, but saw a whole act at the third. It was the first act of Pinafore, admirably done by children-- little children, like ours. The characters were most excellently taken--It was a marvel to see it. The singing was often delightful. I was home and in bed at 10 o'clock. Drank 11 gallons of Appalinaris water and 1 glass of lager during the evening; drank one Scotch whiskey in bed, read 2 hours and went to sleep without needing the other punch. I love you darling, Samuel." Minor toning along folds. Fine condition. Two days after writing this letter, Clemens took the podium before 500 Union veterans as the final speaker at a banquet program which served as the finale of a huge reunion of veterans. At 2:00 AM Clemens gave his famous "Babies" speech, philosophizing that at that very moment, an infant somewhere would grow up to be a great general, but was at that very moment: "...giving his whole strategic mind at this moment to trying to find some way to get his big toe into his mouth, an achievement which, meaning no disrespect, the illustrious guest of this evening turned his entire attention to some fifty-six years ago…”. Grant, and the room, dissolved into peals of laughter.
Estimate: $2,500 - 3,500.
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Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012
Part II: Lots 980-1845 - September 28th, 2012
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