CLEMENS, Samuel Langhorne ("Mark Twain") (1835-1910). Autograph letter signed ("S.L. Clemens") to Mrs Susy, "Dr Rice's, 81 Irving Place," Sunday, no year [c.1893]. [Together with:] Autograph letter signed ("S.L. Clemens") to Mr Edwards, Hartford, 23 February 1887.

First letter: Two pages on a bifolium leaf (small tear to second leaf with early repair, one edge with mounting traces). Provenance: Christie's 8 June 1990, lot 160. Second letter: One page, octavo, on Charles L. Webster & Co. Publishers letterhead.

The first letter is written while Clemens stayed at Dr Clarence C. Rice's home in New York City and regards his travel plans: "I am booked for George Warner's hospitality, in case I get to Hartford, but I am ever so much obliged to you for the offer of yours. Dr. & Mrs. [Clarence] Rice came a couple of days ago and moved me out of the hotel, & I have prospered ever since; insomuch, indeed, that I mean to forsake my bed & take to the rail once more, whether it is prudent or not—for to my mind nothing is more imprudent than lying abed two weeks in hotels, & I must not run any risk of keeping it up here in a hospitable private house. I leave tomorrow evening—or at latest Tuesday morning—for Elmira, & if I get straightened out all right I am coming to Hartford before I sail the 13th." Dr Rice introduced Clemens to Henry Rogers, who became a close friend of the author.

The second letter regards missing a performance at the Lambs Club: "I am downright ashamed, but I've got to beg you to give me one more show, and then I'll come if alive, or send the corpse if I ain't. The only thing that could have come in the way to prevent my being with the Lambs Sunday evening has happened: my sister has arrived today from California for a six-day visit...."