Clemens, Samuel L.

A group of four letters to Clemens's protégé, Karl Gerhardt and his wife Harriet Josephine. The letters are typed, as Clemens was suffering from a severe bout of rheumatism.



Typed letter signed in type ("S.L. Clemens"), 3 pages, Hartford, 24 February 1882, endorses private lessons for Gerhardt, gives news of American artists and criticism of a young artist named Walter F. Brown; minor soiling on third page, light browning. — Typed letter signed in type ("S.L. Clemens"), 2 pages, Hartford, 21 March 1882, indicates that a cablegram he sent insisting Gerhardt take private lessons was lost, mentions that St. Gaudens inquired after Gerhardt with great interest; rust stains from paper clips along top margin, light staining along fold lines on verso. — Typed letter signed in type ("S.L. Clemens"), 2 pages, Hartford, 23 March 1882, praising the modern innovation of writing with a typewriter, insisting once more that Karl take private lessons; instructs Karl to acquire a book on Greek and Roman mythology from his London publisher. — Typed letter signed in type ("S.L. Clemens"), 3 pages, Hartford, 1 June 1882, indicates that St. Gaudens wanted to send someone to Gerhardt with a letter of introduction, critques one of Karl's drawings, advises them to be cautious and careful with their expenses; light soiling.