Auction Date:2010 Nov 10 @ 19:00 (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 “Mark Twain,” one page, 5 x 8, black-bordered Riverdale on the Hudson letterhead, August 14, 1902. Letter to Elisabeth Brachman in Norway. In full: “Don’t let (Chatto & Windus publishers, London), find you out & there’ll not be the least harm done! But if they complain, tell them I authorized you, & they must do as the new negro song says: ‘Go ‘way back an’ set down!’ (I gave them entire authority over all translations 25 years ago, but that was only to put work on their shoulders & relieve my own.) Thanking you for your kind words & wishing you prosperity & happiness.”
In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, a partial separation to central horizontal fold, small hole to top left corner, and a couple trivial brushes to text. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Clemens’s hand, and also bearing several notations in a foreign language, probably Norwegian.
As Clemens notes in this letter, Chatto & Windus was responsible for handling European editions of Mark Twain publications, including those translated into foreign languages. That agreement dated back 25 years, to the publication of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. However, the author did not garner much of a fan base with Nordic versions of his work. He hoped to find a new audience with a different publisher—no matter what Chatto & Windus had to say about the matter. If covert actions didn’t work, Clemens advised that they “do as the new negro song says” and go away, as this fresh deal had his personal endorsement. Clemens displays his witticism in this correspondence, even when the topic is a routine business matter.
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:
No Info Available
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
- Wire Transfer
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 363 is due by Monday, November 22, 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.