Auction Date:2012 Apr 18 @ 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 “Saml,” two pages both sides, 3.25 x 5.5, August 26, [1878]. Letter to his wife Livy. In full: “We came through a-whooping to-day, 6 hours tramp up steep hills and down steep hills in mud & water shoe-deep & in a steadily pouring rain which never moderated a moment. I was as chipper & fresh as a lark all the way & arrived without the slightest sense of fatigue. But we were soaked & my shoes full of water, so we at once stripped & went to bed for 2 1/2 hours while our traps were thoroughly dried & our boots greased in addition. Then we put our clothes on…& went to table d’hote. Made some nice English friends and shall see them…tomorrow. Gathered a small bouquet of new flowers but they got spoiled. I sent you a safety match box full of flowers last night from Leinchenbad. I have just telegraphed you to wire the family news to me at Riffle tomorrow. I do hope you are all well & having as jolly a time as we are, for I love you sweetheart, & also in a measure, the Bays. Give my love to Clara & also to the cubs.” Across the third page of the letter, Clemens has added a sketch he labels as “The great mountain profile.” In very good condition, with a horizontal mailing fold, rough left edges, uniform toning to pages, and portions of the text light but still almost completely legible. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
This well-documented trip to Switzerland provided the exotic inspirational for Clemens’ 1880 travel book, A Tramp Abroad. He and his closest friend, writer and pastor Reverend Joseph Hopkins Twichell, journeyed from Interlaken to Kandersteg, a small town just south of the Swiss capital of Bern. Clemens’ description here could very possibly be derived from his journey: “We came through a-whooping to-day, 6 hours tramp up steep hills and down steep hills in mud & water shoe-deep & in a steadily pouring rain which never moderated a moment.” However, he didn’t let the weather beat his adventurous spirit and beloved companionship, and his spirits remained “chipper & fresh as a lark all the way.” He incorporated this experience in his literary work, as well as his traveling companion, after whom he crafted the character ‘Harris.’ A marvelous firsthand account of a trip…as a story began to take form.
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 385 is due by Monday, April 30, 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.