Mark Twain Autographed Envelope

Mark Twain Autographed Envelope

Black bordered mourning envelope addressed in the hand of Samuel Clemens to his sister-in-law Susan L. Crane. "Mrs. Susan L Crane, Elmira New York U.S.A." , with the word "Quarry Farm" placed along the lower left corner. 4.75" x 3.5". Rear flap is missing, otherwise neatly opened. Light wear and toning. (Clemens' daughter Susy had tragically died in August)

Jervis Langdon purchased the Quarry Farm property on East Hill, looking down upon the city of Elmira and the Chemung River Valley, in May, 1869. The Langdon family would spend much of the Summer that followed enjoying the quiet and relative cool on the property three miles from their primary residence in downtown Elmira. For most of the season they were joined by Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, who was engaged to Jervis’s youngest daughter, Olivia Langdon.

The Langdons initially imagined Quarry Farm exclusively as a Summer home, as its altitude and remoteness rendered it less accessible during snowy months in the Southern Tier of New York. However, it only retained this secondary status for one Winter, as Jervis died in the Summer of 1870. He willed the property to his eldest daughter and her husband, Susan and Theodore Crane, who turned it into a permanent residence and a working dairy farm.

The following year Sam and Livy Clemens would inaugurate what would become their ritual, moving to Quarry Farm in March and remaining until the end of September. Many years between 1871 and 1895, the Clemens spent more days at Quarry Farm than they did at their primary residence in Hartford. All three of their daughters – Susy, Clara, and Jean – were born in Elmira.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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