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Sale 107
Lot 63
Clemens, Samuel L. [Twain, Mark] -- An Impassioned Letter to His Wife Regarding the Near Death of Their Daughter Jean. (1835-1910) Autograph letter signed "Samuel," 2 pages, 8¾ x 5½", Lyons (France), Wednesday, [September 1891]. With original stamped envelope addressed in his hand, "Mrs. S.L.Clemens, Grand Hotel Beau Rivage, Ouchy (Près Lausanne), Suisse" with "Ouchy 24.IX.91" cancellation. Three-quarters of the first page have a unform sun stain.
The author of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Life on the Mississippi, Innocents Abroad and many other successful novels and short stories writes to his wife, Olivia: "Congratulations and gratitude my Darling! for Jean's preservation from such frightful peril. It still makes me shudder think[ing] of it. And to think you should have been alone at such a time--it was awful, it was hideous. Two things I can't understand-- how you lifted the wardrobe by yourself, & how Jean escaped maiming or death. I want to go home & talk it over-- but of course that must not be thought of; for my plan is a good one & fruitful & I must stick to it if I can. My telegram sounded stupid, of course; but you see, I was anxious to telegraph immediately--so I grabbed the letters & rushed to the telegraph office & did not wait to open them until after the telegram was gone. But it is no matter, I merely wanted to send a telegram, to let you know I had arrived. Write to Avignon, sweetheart, I don't know how to furnish my other address at present-- you see this weather threatens to bring up my trip if it continues.Your letters were unspeakably welcome & there were two more than I thought you would write-- thanks for them all. I wrote Charley today from the boat on the Rhone, & put it ashore & mailed it at a village. I shall write you every day, my darling. I'm so glad things look right in Berlin. Joseph will mail the Natural receipts as soon as my advance arrives with my baggage. Love and kisses to you all. Samuel."
Twain and his family moved to Europe in June 1891 in order to alleviate financial difficulties. While visiting Ouchy, Switzerland, known for its thermal baths, Jean (1880-1909), the youngest of the three daughters of Olivia and Samuel Clemens, suffered an accident when a wardrobe fell on her, and, but for the efforts of her mother, could have been seriously injured. Jean would be diagnosed with epilepsy in 1896. Of the Clemens' four children, Langdon, the only son, died at 19 months; Suzy died at 24 in 1896, and Jean eventually died of an epileptic seizure, drowning in a bathtub in 1909. Only Clara Clemens (1874-1962) outlived Twain. While they were living in Italy in 1904, his beloved wife, Olivia, died of heart failure. Estimate Value $2,500 - UP
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