to Charles C. Duncan
26 September 1871 • Buffalo, N.Y. (Sales catalog: Rulon-Miller Books, September 2002,
no. 79, item 53, UCCL 12650)
53. CLEMENS. Two page A. L.s. in pencil to “Dear Captain” and signed “Saml. L. Clemens & wife.” Buffalo: September 26, 1871. $8,500
8vo, 38 lines, approx. 160 words, on recto and verso of a single sheet, previous folds else very good. An early letter by Clemens, unpublished and apparently unknown to Clemens scholarship, written to the Captain of a steamboat Mr. & Mrs. Clemens had just disembarked, regretting that they will not be able to attend “the gathering of the pilgrims . . . We have packed up everything but ourselves, to move to Hartford, & shall pack ourselves aboard the train within the hour . . . If I am not there when you beat to quarters, you will know that circumstances . . . have got the advantage of me. In which case I shall at least be present in spirit & make a mute speech well packed with cordial good wishes for the long life & happiness of all that stand where they could hear if the silent syllables were voiced . . .”
References
- Machlis, Paul, ed. Union Catalog of Clemens Letters. Edited by Paul Machlis. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press. [In some cases, UCCL catalog numbers cited in this volume supersede those assigned in 1986 and reflect corrections or additions to the catalog since publication. An updated version of the catalog can be consulted via the Letters Search page at MTPO.] 1986
Sales catalog, Rulon-Miller Books, September 2002, no. 79, item 53.
Newly published on MTPO, 2010.