Search Results: Signed & Inscribed from Sumner & Stillman

1898. On the calling card of "A. Coyle | Vienna". About 3 inches by 1-3/4 inches with curved corners. Presumably Vienna, 1897-1899. This is simply Mark Twain's autograph signature, in pencil, on the reverse side of the calling card of "A. Coyle | Vienna". The city effectively dates the signature, at 1897-1899: Twain, his wife Olivia, and their daughters Clara and Jean went on an around-the-world lecture tour in 1895-1896 (for the purpose of paying off Twain's staggering debts, despite his personal bankruptcy in 1894). The family wound up in London, where they stayed for most of a year before departing in 1897 for what became almost two years in Vienna -- where they hoped Clara would be able to study piano under Theodor Leschetizky, and Jean would be able to see medical specialists for her epilepsy. During his stay in Vienna and Kaltenleutgeben, Mark Twain, a prolific writer, continued writing stories, essays, and articles, some of which he never finished (not an unknown phenomenon for writers in… Read More

1899. Two pages (first and third pages of one folded leaf of stationery printed with the address "20, Carlton House Terrace, S.W." Dated by hand "5th May '99". The text of this letter reads as follows: Herewith I send you a programme of tonight's affair. You will witness that your name is on the list, but the programme was printed before we had word that you preferred not to speak. The hour of reception is six o'clock, when in the name of the Club, my wife and myself will welcome you. I hope you may find the evening interesting. Your kind words about my tale have given me great satisfaction. With all respect I am Yours sincerely [signed] Gilbert Parker. Though not specifically referenced in this letter, this correspondence has to do with The Anglo-Saxon Review -- a short-lived "quarterly miscellany," created and edited by Lady Randolph Churchill (her son Winston served as an advisor), published by John Lane in handsome leather-bound volumes with elaborate gilt tooling. The new periodical sent out an… Read More

1878. [at a turning point of his life] Crefeld [Germany], July 22 / [18]78. Initialed "B.H." Both sides of a single leaf. This is a letter from Harte to his Boston publisher James R. Osgood, at a major turning point in Harte's life. Harte is telling Osgood that he has just (four days earlier) arrived in the major silk center of Crefeld, Germany; his cynical language about the local populace indicates that he is not delighted to be there. (Harte's latest book, DRIFT FROM TWO SHORES, was just being published by Osgood.) Harte's letter reads: I've got so much to do for these d----d silk spinners, who have the absurd idea that the Govt. has sent me out to listen to them, that mayhap I can't get my new Vice Consul up to the point of snubbing them properly, and will have to stay to do it myself. So if I'm not at the Hotel de Nouvel Opera [in Paris], nor at the English Church, nor at any of your familiar haunts of Vice on Sunday evening at 8 oclock nor early Wednesday morning, telegraph me here -- at my… Read More

1891. Two pages (1st and 3rd page of one folded leaf). Undated, but in the original envelope addressed by Stevenson "Captain Reid | U.S.S. Iroquois | Apia Roads", with RLS's wax seal on the back; in another hand is "Vailima" on the front, and on the rear "Rec'd Friday Oct 31st 1891 -- 4.30 pm Samoan Time". The text of this letter reads: I have tried both yesterday and today to get down and give a personal explanation of what I fear appeared to you a liberty. But I am very far from feeling well, and fear to risk the journey. I inclose accordingly a letter which I received from Captain Foss, and which I beg you will return to me. You will see how nice a fellow he is even in warfare: how much the more I was vexed he should have taken up this attitude; and how impossible it was for me (having once received it[)], to come to your luncheon. Mr Osbourne carries this down; and if he can find the time, for he has many affairs, will deliver it himself. Believe me, with many apologies, Yours very truly… Read More

1900. Two pages (of four pages on one folded leaf). On Haggard's personal stationery ("Ditchingham House, Norfolk"), dated by hand "26.Oct:1900". The text of this letter reads: It is most kind of Mrs Cornwallis West & yourself to think of me. I should much like to have the honour of making my bow in the A.S.R. But unhappily I have nothing & no time to write anything as I am just going away fr home after a long summer's [?]. So I fear it must be for another time. Many thanks all the same -- With kind regards, Sincerely yours [signed] H. Rider Haggard. The famous author H. Rider Haggard (KING SOLOMON'S MINES, SHE, ALLAN QUATERMAIN) had obviously received from Earl Hodgson an invitation to submit a story for publication in the Anglo-Saxon Review. This was a short-lived "quarterly miscellany," created and edited by Lady Randolph Churchill (her son Winston served as an advisor), published by John Lane in handsome leather-bound volumes with elaborate gilt tooling. Contributors included Henry James,… Read More

1856. One page on light blue paper, with the handwritten heading "Consulate USA | Liverpool 2 Jany 1856". The text of this letter reads: I wrote to you on the 30 ult[im]o City of Washington that the Certificate of Registry of the SS Ericsson had been left behind. I now herewith enclose it to you [not present] trusting that it will reach you in time for the vessel. I am Your Obed Servant Nath' Hawthorne. At the bottom of the page is an initialed note by a clerk, "Handed enclosed Registry to Mr [?] Ingraham Jany 23 1856". In 1852 Hawthorne had written a glowing biography of one his 18 classmates at Bowdoin College, Franklin Pierce, in support of the latter's Presidential campaign -- and when Pierce was elected, he rewarded Hawthorne with the political appointment of U.S. Consul in Liverpool; in 1853 the Hawthornes took up residence there. (Hawthorne had had a position at the Salem Massachusetts Custom House during the years 1846-1849, but lost in it a political shakeup; he lambasted his former… Read More

1899. Two pages of stationery printed with the address "17 R Street, Corner | New Hampshire Avenue" [Washington DC]. Dated by hand "June 4, 1899". The text of this letter reads as follows: I have waited to answer your letter of a week or two ago. I refer to its receipt [?] because I did not know what to say. I am, however, now engaged in writing a story which I believe would meet your requirements and which I might arrange to let you have. It is a racing-story, of a kind which I think will be sufficiently original to attract notice. It will be between 5000 & 10000 words. Such a story I should charge an American Magazine for from $500.00 to $1000.00 according to length. I do not know what you would expect to pay for the English Magazine rights; but I should have to arrange with the American Magazine for its publication by you in Eng'd, and I should want enough to make up for any deduction the Edition on this side might claim for such contemporaneous publication on your side. I sh'd also want to know… Read More

1879. ["Eliot, George."] Autograph Letter Signed ("M. E. Lewes" = Marian Evans Lewes) to Mr. [Joseph] Langford [of her publisher Blackwood]. Two pages, written in purple ink on mourning stationery printed with "The Priory | 21 North Bank | Regent's Park." Dated December 17, 1879. This two-page letter, to the London manager of the publishing house of William Blackwood of Edinburgh, reads: Dear Mr. Langford I think there is no harm in allowing the said drawings to appear, since you think that they show talent. But I must have no responsibility in the matter. They must be understood to be quite apart from my book in a material sense. And therefore I must not see them. The word "illustrations" must be avoided. "Heads from T. S." -- or some such title would be allowable, but not "Heads _illustrating_" -- which might be the reverse of true. Will you kindly answer Mr. Ledebour in this sense? I shall be very happy to see you any day after 4:30. From thence to 7 o'clock I am at present invariably at home.… Read More

1878. To "My dear Mrs. Wood." 4 pages (all sides of a bifolium). South Berwick [Maine]: 13 August 1878. Signed "Sarah O. Jewett." The text of this letter reads: Here is the Boat song for you, and it was very good of you to care for it. And I am very glad to have the chance to tell you how much I enjoyed being with you while I was at Rye and how sorry I am that we live so far apart that I shall not be likely to see you often. It was so kind of you to ask Julia and me to visit you and wouldn't it be charming if some happy day that plan came true! But I am afraid Julia and I will hardly see each other for a long time to come, though I made brave plans when I was with her, for joining her abroad. That is the sorrow of being so fond of one's friends as I am -- one is so sorry when one sees one's best friends seldom but after all I can't help remembering that by and bye when one looks back from another world, separation will seem such a little thing and the lessons learned from it so grand and so sweet. I… Read More

1882. Five pages, to "Dear Uncle William". Salisbury England, 26 June 1882. In this lengthy letter, the American author reports on her improving health (rheumatism), writes of visiting Portsmouth Harbour and Stonehenge (on her trip with Annie Adams Fields), and asks about their mutual relatives back home in South Berwick, Maine. ... I came up from the Isle of Wight [where they called unannounced upon Poet Laureate Tennyson] to old Portsmouth... We saw the old man-of-war lying off in the stream on which Lord Nelson died... the harbor was full of vessels. It is a naval station like our Portsmouth [NH] ... Later we came to Salisbury... and went to see the famous old cathedral and then drove out across Salisbury Plain several miles to see the old Druid monuments of Stonehenge. The stones are enormous ... and you can trace the shape of the old temple though many of the pillars have fallen... Mrs. Fields sends you her regards and with much love I am Yours affectionately Sarah O. Jewett Although she uses… Read More

1901. Text on one side of a post card imprinted with the address "10, Adelphi Terrace, W.C." Dated by hand "11th January 1901". Address on other side also written by Shaw (The Anglo-Saxon Review | 35 Great Cumberland Place W., altered by someone else to 127, Cambridge St. | Warwick Sq. S.W.) The text of this card reads as follows: I am afraid I shall not be able to manage it this quarter. There is a forest of belated work to be cut through just now. Don't depend on me. [signed] G. Bernard Shaw. This correspondence has to do with The Anglo-Saxon Review -- a short-lived "quarterly miscellany," created and edited by Lady Randolph Churchill (her son Winston served as an advisor), published by John Lane in handsome leather-bound volumes with elaborate gilt tooling. The new periodical sent out an appeal for original material to many prominent British and American authors; contributors included Henry James, Winston Churchill, George Gissing, Stephen Crane -- and George Bernard Shaw. The subscription list… Read More

1937. To "Dear Mr. Seale," one page on "5 Portland Place, W.1." stationery. No legible date, but 1937-1938. This is Maugham's response to a Mr. Seale who had apparently asked about a good introductory book on philosophy. The text of this letter is: Cyril Joad brought out with Gollancz last year or the year before a book called, I think, a Handbook to Philosophy, which is very clear and readable, with a very good bibliography at the end of each chapter; this I think will give you exactly what you want. I am not quite sure if that is the exact title, but any good bookseller will be able to have the book for you. I know Gollancz is the publisher. Yours sincerely [signed] W.S. Maugham We do not know who "Mr Seale" was (the greeting and the closing imply that Maugham did not know him), but Cyril E.M. Joad (1891-1953) was quite a character -- an English philosopher who did indeed write A GUIDE TO PHILOSOPHY (Maugham was close), published by Victor Gollancz in 1936; the book is still in print, and is still… Read More

1872. Elmira [NY], Apl. 19 [1872]." One side of a sheet of lined paper, with "Saml. Clemens | Elmira | April 19/72" written (by the recipient?) on the verso. The text of this early letter reads: What is your _new_ number? I only know 149 Asylum. Wm. C. Smythe (whose letter I enclose) [not included] is a splendid old friend of mine. He is city editor of the principal Pittsburgh paper -- a city _where I drew the largest audience ever assembled in Pittsburgh to hear a lecture._ Send him a book. I want a _big_ sale in Pittsburgh. _Mark_ Francis Edward Bliss (1843-1915) was the son of Elisha Bliss, who had founded the American Publishing Company in Hartford; "Frank" left a banking career to join his father's company in the 1860s, and was soon Treasurer. In 1867 Elisha had gotten in touch with fledgling newspaper journalist "Mark Twain," and by the time of this April 1872 letter, APC had published Twain's THE INNOCENTS ABROAD (1869), and (in February 1872) ROUGHING IT; it would soon publish THE GILDED AGE… Read More

1918. [inscribed by Stephen Vincent Benét] New York: The Macmillan Company, 1918. 6 pp undated ads. Original red cloth. First American Edition of this novel published a few months before the Armistice. It was an unpleasant book, turgid, didactic and cantankerous: one critic called it a "hymn of hate." It covered the years from 1893 to 1918, and though it was notionally the story of the education of Joan and Peter the book was dominated by the sour-tempered diatribes of Oswald, the scientist, empire-builder and educator. Oswald is a disappointed man, who vents his spleen on everything and everyone... H.G. had been living through a world disaster, and after four years his accumulated resentment at the "uneducated blockheads" who had caused it -- and who still refused to heed his warnings -- poured out in a torrent of recrimination [Mackenzie]. Near-fine condition (spine gilt dull as usual for this wartime book, rear endpaper cracked). See Wells Soc. 69 and Hammond A15. This copy is inscribed by the… Read More

1805. [inscribed by Scott] The Second Edition. London: printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, and A. Constable and Co., Edinburgh, by James Ballantyne, Edinburgh, 1805. Original blue paper-covered boards, with later (but period-style) white cloth or vellum, with printed spine label. "The Second Edition," which consisted of 1500 copies, issued later in the same year as the 750-copy first printing. This narrative poem in six cantos, with the action taking place in mid-16th-Century Scotland, is quite "early Scott": in the exhaustive Todd & Bowden bibliography, this is the 14th of 259 titles, and it would be 1814 before Scott would venture into prose fiction -- first with WAVERLEY, followed by such titles as ROB ROY, IVANHOE, KENILWORTH and QUENTIN DURWARD. Remarkably, this copy is still in the original blue paper-covered boards, the endpapers are original, and the leaves are still uncut; however the spine and label -- though period-style -- are later (but not at all recent). Condition is… Read More

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1934. Original black cloth lettered in gilt, with dust jacket. First Edition of this book-length ballad for which (per the preliminary "Acknowledgement") "The author's thanks and acknowledgements are gratefully tendered to John Steinbeck, author of "Cup of Gold," for his generous permission to use certain incidents from that novel." Berton goes on to quote in full a brief letter from Steinbeck giving that permission, saying "Please feel free to use what you wish of my work, subconsciously or consciously...". In this copy Berton Braley added to Steinbeck's printed letter, in ink, "With the further and personal thanks of [signed] Berton Braley." The front paste-down of this copy bears the ink-stamp "THIS BOOK BELONGS | TO CAROL AND | JOHN STEINBECK". Thus this copy must have been the one Braley sent to Steinbeck, with his "further and personal thanks" for permission to borrow from CUP OF GOLD. This volume's condition is very good-plus, with some wear at the head of the… Read More

1915. [with letter from Theodore Dreise] New York: George H. Doran Company, n.d. [1915]. Original green cloth. First Edition, published one day earlier than Heinemann's edition in London. This was Maugham's famed autobiographical novel about Philip Carey, who has a club foot and who attends King's School, Tercanbury [Maugham had a stammer and attended King's School, Canterbury]; who rejects the idea of the ministry and who studies in Heidelberg and later becomes a doctor [like Maugham]; who becomes obsessed with a vulgar waitress, Mildred Rogers, who goes to a bad end [cf. Liza of Lambeth], etc. But the novel succeeds because of its unflinching honesty and its devastating account of loneliness, the most tragic of all human conditions. [CGEL] This copy is in the later state, with the error on the fourth line of p. 257 corrected (also on lighter weight paper). The binding is correspondingly later state, with the stamping in black rather than in gilt (due to the onset of the war). Condition is fine… Read More

1906. [inscribed by Housman] Or Love in a Dutch Garden. London: A. H. Bullen, 1906. 1 page undated ads. Original mauve cloth. First Edition of this play, largely for mummers. It was issued both in cloth and, less seldom seen, in purple wrappers. According to the last page of text, the play was first performed on 23 December 1904, and was then revived on 24 April 1906 with a different cast; the co-author H. Granville Barker had one of the roles in the first production. There is a frontispiece illustration by Laurence Housman, engraved by his sister Clemence. This is a very good copy, a little darkened and discolored on and near the spine; there is also very slight wear at the spine ends. This copy is inscribed by Housman on the front flyleaf, "To my dear Shad | with love | LH | Christmas 1906." (The "LH" is in the same style as Housman's illustration signature, which is to say with the "H" bordered on two sides by the "L".) "Shad" was Shadwell Boulderson, a minor literary figure of the 'Nineties… Read More

1920. [inscribed by Conrad] Garden City NY: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1920. Original dark blue-green limp leather. First Edition, third impression. The first impression is gathered in 8s and bound in the usual navy blue cloth decorated in gilt; the second is gathered in 16s but is otherwise the same; this third and last 1920 printing (and the final printing from these plates) is also gathered in 16s, but is on thinner paper and is bound in the limp-leather "Deep Sea" binding. This copy is in very good condition, with some almost-unavoidable minor wear at the extremities. Supino A22.3.0 (this copy); Cagle A49a(3). Housed in a morocco-backed slipcase with inner chemise. Provenance (see below): SJS bookplate of the Conrad mega-collector Stanley J. Seeger (both on the endpaper verso and on the slipcase chemise) -- this book was lot 143 in his Part I sale in July 2013; discreet bookplate of the Conrad bibliographer David J. Supino. This is a presentation copy inscribed by Conrad on the (illustrated)… Read More

1880. Received from her brother Isaac (surviving Trustee). Single half-leaf, scant 5" x 8". N.p., June 1880. The signature on this receipt -- Mary Ann Cross -- tells us that this was from the incredible final half-year of George Eliot's life. The text of the receipt is written in black ink in a lawyer's (or her brother's) hand: June 1880 Received of Mr Isaac Pearson Evans the surviving Trustee under my late Father's will Forty four pounds and fourpence being half a year's Dividend on money in the funds due to me in April last and 6.11.6 Bank Interest on a sum lately invested. 44.0.4 Mary Ann Cross [signed in purple ink, over a one-penny Inland Revenue stamp]. The receipt is in fine condition except for folds (due to initial mailing and filing); the verso includes filing information in the same legal hand. Mary Anne [sic] Evans, born in 1819, met the love of her life in 1851 -- the agnostic philosopher George Lewes -- and they began living together in 1854, four years before her first published… Read More