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. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$100.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
