August 2021 Catalogue

Fascinating 1874 Signed Autograph Letter Written By Mark Twain To American Publishing Company President Elisha Bliss 60. TWAIN, Mark. Autograph letter signed. Hartford, Connecticut, October 21, 1874. Single sheet of unlined paper, measuring 4-1/2 by 7 inches; pp. 2; floated, matted and framedwith a portrait and facsimile of recto for display, entire piece measures 23 by 14 inches. $7500. Original 1874 signedautograph letterwrittenentirely inMarkTwain’s hand toAmericanPublishingCompany President Elisha Bliss suggesting Louise Chandler Moulton’s Some Women’s Hearts for publication despite reservations about the content; wishing Bliss success with the publication of Howell’s and Harte’s upcoming books; and expressing hope that his play (“The Gilded Age”) would run for 200 nights in New York. This letter to American Publishing President Elisha Bliss is the culmination of a plan formed between Moulton and Twain one week prior. Twain, having already cautioned Moulton that they should not seem over-anxious, instead tries to maintain some leverage over Bliss. Twain implies that Bliss would simply be offering Moulton the proper path by transitioning her over to subscription. A bit of toning, foldlines and a few expert repairs to splits along folds, signature quite legible. Extremely good condition. Large Manuscript Document Relating To The Potomack Company, Boldly Signed By George Washington In 1785 61. WASHINGTON, George. Manuscript document signed. Alexandria, Virginia, July 14, 1785. Quarto (7-1/2 by 8 inches), single sheet penned in manuscript and signed on recto; matted and framed with front page of January 8, 1794 Columbian Centinel newspaper and two engraved portraits, entire piece measures 38 by 28 inches. $26,000. Manuscript document relating to the Potomack Company, ordering William Hartshorne, as Treasurer, to make several payments on its behalf, including advertising in Alexandria, signed by George Gilpin and John Fitzgerald, who were Directors of the Potomac Company and by Washington, its President. The Potomack Company [spellings vary] was formed in 1784 to help facilitate navigation and trade along the Potomac River for the benefit of both Virginia andMaryland and to aid in western expansion. After retirement,Washington “plunged enthusiastically into promoting a scheme long dear to his heart, the construction of a canal connecting the Potomac with the interior waterways that flowed from the Ohio-Mississippi system” (ANB). Some separation along old fold lines that appear to have been partially repaired. Small area of toning in upper right corner. Some ink transference from folding touches Washington’s signature. A splendid framed piece, boldly signed. F r a m e d ! 2 0 2 1 B a u m a n R a r e B o o k s 51 50