SAMUEL L. "MARK TWAIN" CLEMENS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 43938

SAMUEL L. CLEMENS (MARK TWAIN)
Autograph Letter signed by him on stationery of The Players, the New York gentleman's club of which he was a founding member.
ALS: "S. L. Clemens", 2 pages, 4½x7. New York City, no date, Tuesday. On stationery of "The Players, 16 Gramercy Park" to "Mrs. Susy". In full: "I dearly wish I also could say 'of course,' but I can't yet awhile. The necessity for my further stay in this country can cease at any unforeseen moment, & then I break for a ship without stopping to stuff my shawl-strap----but I'll see you at Hutton's next Monday evening, you know, & then we can have a talk. Meantime I thank you heartily for the privilege offered me & am Yours affectionately". In 1888, America's pre-eminent Shakespearean actor, EDWIN BOOTH, along with 15 other incorporators including Samuel L. Clemens (1835-1910), founded The Players. Modeled after London's famed Garrick Club, The Players was the first American "gentleman's" club of its kind. The Players was (and still is) located in a Greek Revival townhouse at 16 Gramercy Park, New York City. Clemens' reference to Hutton's was the home in New York of editor-essayist LAURENCE HUTTON (1843-1904). Author SAMUEL L. CLEMENS ("Mark Twain") and his family moved to Europe in 1891 and, from 1891-1900, traveled throughout the world. They returned to the U.S. in 1900, living in New York City until 1903, when they went to Italy. This letter was written between 1888 and 1891 or between 1900 and 1903. Lightly stained at mid-vertical fold. Pencil notes (unknown hand) on integral leaf. Fine condition.