American short story writer and satirical journalist. After the Civil War he became a nationally-known satirist and author of the cynical Devil’s Dictionary. During the Mexican Revolution he disappeared without trace in war-torn Mexico, probably finding his sought-after death on a battlefield. Uncommon ALS, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, no date. Letter, most likely to poet Edwin Markham. In full, “Your letter has just been handed to me and I’ve only time before the mail to ask you not to come up next Sunday and I cannot be here on that day - unless driven back by sickness from San Francisco. I have to go there tomorrow. Can we not call it an engagement for the Sunday affair? Unless I hear from you to the contrary I shall so consider it. Let me hear from you anyhow. Nothing but an infrangible engagement would keep me from seeing you Sunday.” In fine condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
