Wonderful vintage sepia 3.5 x 5.75 H. Walter Barnett photo of Clemens perusing a book as he holds his cigar, and affixed to the original 5.25 x 8.25 photographer’s mount, signed at the top in fountain pen, “Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economise it. Truly yrs, Mark Twain.” Also signed and inscribed at the bottom, “Sept. 28, 1900, To Mr. Pinkham, with the compliments of S. L. Clemens.” In very good condition, with scattered spots and surface marks to image, irregular ink adhesion to first name of upper signature, resulting in a light, but completely legible “Mark,” some mild toning to edges of mount, and mounting remnants to reverse.
The man fortunate enough to capture Clemens in this relaxed pose was one Henry Walter Barnett, one of London’s leading portrait photographers of the late 1800s and early 1900s. This fabulous cabinet photograph of the American novelist, humorist, and social critic captures him at a relatively low-point in his life, having entered into a deep depression in 1896 following the death of his daughter. His emotional despair seems palpable by his cynical inscription. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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