Sale 2530 - Fine Books & Manuscripts, February 20, 2020

OFFERS A TONIC: “ONE PINT OF WHICH WILL UNFAILINGLY KILL OR CURE” 153 c   TWAIN, MARK. Autograph Letter Signed, “S.L Clemens,” to his publisher James R. Osgood (“My Dear Osgood”), promising to not discuss a certain unnamed topic, offering to administer a tonic to treat his rheumatism when he visits, remarking that he takes the tonic himself for lumbago, and thanking him for a “valued service.” 2 pages, 8vo, written on a folded sheet; marginal discoloration from prior matting, horizontal folds, remnanants of prior mounting at upper edge verso. Hartford, 12 May 1882 [1,500/2,500] “Old man, you performed gorgeously. You would make a good highwayman. Yes, sir, for the sake of your character (& mine), I will be very mum to those people. “I am mighty sorry the rheumatism has got you, & its brother-in-law (lumbago) me . But when you come, I will fix you all right. My barber has invented a beverage, one pint of which will unfailingly kill or cure the rheumatic subject; & as it is to be taken within the compass of a week, there is no foolish suspense about it. I began yesterday morning—Wednesday. Next Wednesday evening you can learn the result from me or the remains. . . .” James Ripley Osgood (1836-1892), who had published Twain’s Prince and the Pauper in 1881, accompanied Twain on an extended trip along the Mississippi River in late April of 1882. The writing Twain did during this trip became Life on the Mississippi , published by Osgood that year, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , published by Charles L. Webster in 1884.