Absolutely superb 4.25 x 6.5 cabinet photo of a young Twain in his white suit by Mora of New York, signed and inscribed on the reverse in ink, "My young friend, there isn't any merit in doing a thing which it is a pleasure to do, & therefore none is claimed this time by Yrs Truly, S. L. Clemens (Mark Twain) Hartford Aug. 9, 1/82. To Mr. Edward W. Bok." In fine to very fine condition. Accompanied by its seldom-seen original studio envelope, labeled "Mark Twain" by an unknown hand. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
Clemens offered this pearl of wisdom to the 18-year-old Bok, who at the time was employed as a stenographer at the Western Union Telegraph Company, but harbored ambitions to work in the publishing business. At the time, the famed novelist had already published The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Prince and the Pauper (1881), but was still a couple of years away from publishing 'the Great American Novel'—The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885).
As only he could, Clemens offers his take on writing—‘there isn't any merit in doing a thing which it is a pleasure to do’—words that must have inspired the recipient. Bok eventually made the leap to the world of publishing and was eventually the author of a 1921 Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography. This incredible photograph, signed as both 'Mark Twain' and 'Samuel L. Clemens,' was the property of Bok's daughter-in-law until June 2011. A rare find with great sagacious advice from a literary master.
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