Clemens, Samuel L.

Autograph letter signed ("Marcus"), 8 pages (6 3/8 x 4 7/8 in; 163 x 123 mm), Hamilton, Bermuda, 21–23 February 1910, to his daughter Clara (Mrs. Ossip Gabrilowitsch) traveling in Europe; in black ink on all sides of two pieces of black-bordered mourning stationery with his "Stormfield, Redding, Connecticut" address; with the original stamped envelope addressed in Miss Isabel Lyon's hand (she was Clemens's secretary) to Clara's New York City home.

Christie's, 13 November 1987, lot 78 (undesignated consignor) — Maurice F. Neville (Sotheby's, Part I, 13 April, 2004, lot 28)

Printed in Clara Gabrilowitsch, My Husband Gabrilowitsch (1938).

Autograph letter signed ("Marcus"), 8 pages (6 3/8 x 4 7/8 in; 163 x 123 mm), Hamilton, Bermuda, 21–23 February 1910, to his daughter Clara (Mrs. Ossip Gabrilowitsch) traveling in Europe; in black ink on all sides of two pieces of black-bordered mourning stationery with his "Stormfield, Redding, Connecticut" address; with the original stamped envelope addressed in Miss Isabel Lyon's hand (she was Clemens's secretary) to Clara's New York City home.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"That odious [Catholic] Church whose history would disgrace hell."  In January 1910, following his daughter Jean's death, Clemens returned to Bermuda, staying until 12 April. This is a remarkably revealing, outspoken, and at the same time poignant,  letter — written over three days just two months before his death. "... Indeed I don't 'disclaim relationship' with you because you are married [Clara had married the pianist Gabrilowitsch the previous October] — no, you are nearer & dearer to me now than ever; of my fair fleet all my ships have gone down but you [Clemens' daughter Jean having just died in December]; you are all my wealth; but while I have you I am still rich. Feb.22. [Albert Bigelow] Paine has written to Col. [George] Harvey & asked him to do his best possible to get you those Easter-privileges at St. Peters, & I have written Harvey & reinforced that request. Dear Clara, my first impulse was to write to my friend Archbishop Ireland, but that impulse was merely a lightning-bug flash, & died in a moment, for I can't bring myself to personally ask a favor of that odious Church, whose history would disgrace hell, & whose birth was the profoundest calamity which has ever befallen the human race except for the birth of Christ — this, because if I asked a favor I couldn't talk against that rotten concern with limitless freedom & with an unblushing cheek afterward. [Theodore] Roosevelt closed my mouth years ago with a deeply valued, gratefully received, unasked favor, & with all my bitter detestation of him I have never been able to say a venomous thing about him in print since — that benignant deed always steps in the way & lays its consecrated hand upon my lips. I ought not to allow it to do this; & I am ashamed of allowing it, but I cannot help it, since I am made in that way, & did not make myself.

"Dear heart, I shall take care of myself, for your sake; I shall live as long as I may, for your sake — not my own, for I believe I was born indifferent to this silly life — in fact I can't see how a man in his right mind can refrain from laughing at it & making fun of it. Feb. 23. I don't know why you should love me. I have not deserved it; & the love Jean manifested for me astonished me daily: I recognized its sincerity, but could not divine the source of it, nor what had bred it & kept it alive, any more than I can divine why you love me nor how you keep it up. But I am deeply grateful to Jean for that unearned love, & I am deeply grateful to you for yours. More than once I have been humiliated by my resemblance to God the Father: He is always longing for the love of His children & trying to get it on the cheapest & laziest terms He can invent ... I put in two or three years on an Autobiography in order to add 28 years to my book-lives [with the copyright law]. Congress has now gone & added 14 of the 28, & the law is now in such a sane shape that Congress can be persuaded presently, without difficulty, to add another 14 ... My child, I wasn't doing the Autobiography [not published until 1924] in the world's interest, but only in your & Jean's. But never mind, Dear, I'm not going to 'bury you alive' ... with lots & lots & ever so much love, you dearest & only child ..."

Justin Kaplan, Mr. Clemens and Mark Twain (New York, 1966), p. 388: "He began to fail rapidly in Bermuda, was afraid he would die there and lie in an undertaker's cellar. Paine came for him, and sailed for home on April 12."  Clemens died on 21 April, 1910, at his home "Stormfield," in Redding, Connecticut, his daughter Clara, the last of his "fair fleet," at his bedside.