Auction Date:2011 Sep 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “S. L. Clemens,” two pages, 5.5 x 9, no date. The author writes Mr. Gilder. In full: “I have tried to put the explanation of the situation into Huck’s mouth, but didn’t succeed to my satisfaction. Will the note do, which I enclose? After, amend, shorten it or lengthen it to suit yourself—if any of these shall seem necessary—but in some way preserve the fact that the thing is from an unpublished book; don’t leave me in the position of gravely sitting down to write an episode which couldn’t have any sufficient raison d’etre without that. I think you have made a most excellent selection; I perceive I should not have. I owe so well if the matter had been left to me.” Scattered creases and wrinkles, otherwise fine condition.
This “episode” from the yet-unpublished Huckleberry Finn first appeared in the December 1884 issue of The Century magazine, preceded by a statement explaining that it was from an unpublished book called The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer’s Comrade, and gives the reader a brief outline of the plot, while also explaining that the reader had already met Huck in the book Tom Sawyer. The pre-publication of parts of Huckleberry Finn in The Century came from the determination of the magazine’s editor...and recipient of this message...Richard Watson Gilder, who wanted to publish the entire novel serially. Twain, hoping to sell a short excerpt of the book, had sent the editor proofs of the book—and convinced the author that exposing the work in an influential magazine like The Century would increase book sales following its publication. For the December excerpt, Gilder chose the Shepherdson-Grangerford feud from Chapters 17 and 18, and asked Twain to write a brief introductory in which he refers to the novel as the story of ‘two fugitives’—Huck and Jim. Twain was sour on his effort to “put the explanation of the situation into Huck’s mouth,” he grumbles here. One-of-a-kind correspondence as the great American writer gets set to introduce his most famous work to the public!
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
Buyer's Premium
A 20% buyer's premium will be added to each winning bid, with a 2% discount for those paying by check, cash, or money order.
Your bid is a contract
Placing a bid online means you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed by RRAuction.
Payment methods accepted
Money Order, Cashier's Check, Personal Check, or Wire Transfer.
Payment for items won in auction 353 is due by Monday, September 26, unless prior arrangements have been made. Late payment may result in suspension of your bidding privileges.
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Discover are only accepted up to $5,000 without prior arrangement: please contact Mandy Eaton-Casey.
Further descriptions
You can call us or email us if you'd like us to answer questions about these items.