Clemens, Samuel L. Auction
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Lot 0059
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Clemens, Samuel L.
Clemens, Samuel L.
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59. Clemens, Samuel L. Autograph letter signed (“Sam.”), 3 pages (4.5 x 7 in.; 114 x 178 mm.), Elmira, New York, 5 February 1869, to his “Dear Mother & Brother & Sisters & Nephew & Niece, & Margaret,” with autograph transmittal envelope with imprint of his future father-in-law, Jervis Langdon, and addressed to Clemens’ sister, Mrs. William A. Moffett of St. Louis. Letter in fine condition; envelope exhibits wear.

In characteristic fashion, Mark Twain enthusiastically announces his engagement with Olivia “Livy” Langdon to his entire family: “I am not worrying about whether you will love my future wife or not—if you know her twenty-four hours & then don’t love her, you will accomplish what nobody else has ever succeeded in doing since she was born. She just naturally drops into everybody’s affections that comes across her.”

Clemens writes in full: My dear Mother & Brother & Sisters & Nephew & Niece, & Margaret: This is to inform you that on yesterday, the 4th of February, I was duly & solemnly & irrevocably engaged to be married to Miss Olivia L. Langdon, of Elmira, New York. Amen. She is the best girl in all the world, & the most sensible, & I am just as proud of her as I can be. It may be a good while before we are married, for I am not rich enough to give her a comfortable home right away, & I don’t want anybody’s help. I can get an eighth of the Cleveland Herald for $25,000, & have it so arranged that I can pay for it as I earn the money with my unaided hands. I shall look around a little more, & if I can do no better elsewhere, I shall take it. I am not worrying about whether you will love my future wife or not—if you know her twenty-four hours & then don’t love her, you will accomplish what nobody else has ever succeeded in doing since she was born. She just naturally drops into everybody’s affections that comes across her. My prophecy was correct. She said she never could or would love me—but she set herself the task of making a Christian of me. I said she would succeed, but that in the meantime she would unwittingly dig a matrimonial pit & end up tumbling into it—& lo! the prophecy is fulfilled. She was in New York a day or two ago, & George Wiley & his wife Clara know her now. Pump them, if you want to. You shall see her before very long. Love to all. Affect’ly Sam. P.S. Shall be here a week.

Twain and Langdon first met at the end of 1867 through her brother Charles. Their first date was to a reading by Charles Dickens in New York City. Twain courted her mainly by letter throughout 1868; she rejected his first proposal but accepted his second and they were married a year later. Livy helped her husband with the editing of his books, articles and lectures that he would give. She was a “faithful, judicious and painstaking editor,” Twain wrote. She continued to help her husband to edit works up until days before her death. Their union lasted 34 years and, despite the death of two children and periodic financial troubles, the marriage itself was a happy one. An excellent letter by Twain announcing one of the literary world’s most famous love matches. Published in Love Letters of Mark Twain, p 64.

Provenance: Prominent Twain scholar and collector Chester L. Davis, 1903-1987 (Christie’s New York, 9 June 1992, lot 35).
$20,000 - $30,000

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Clemens, Samuel L.

Estimate $20,000 - $30,000
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Starting Price $20,000

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