To Slote, Woodman and Co.
10 February 1878 • Hartford, Conn.
(MS, draft: Sotheby’s, New York, December 1993, UCCL 11147)
Certificate.
Messrs. Slote, Woodman & Co:
I hereby certify: 1— That during many years I was afflicted with cramps in my limbs, indigestion, [salt] rheum, & enlargement of the liver‸, &‸ with su inflamm periodical attacks of inflammatory rheumatism complicated with St. Vitus’s dance, my sufferings being so great that for months at a time I was unable to stand upon my feet, or without assistance, or speak the truth with it. But as soon as I had invented my Self-Pasting Scrap Book & begun to use it in my own family all these infirmities disappeared. In disseminating this universal healer among the world’s afflicted ones you are doing a noble work; & I sincerely hope you will get your reward—partly in the sweet consciousness of doing good, but the bulk of it in cash.
Very Truly Yours
Mark Twain.
Given under my hand this 10th day of February, A. D. 1878.
Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
SLC 1878, 141, fair copy
facsimile; Sotheby’s catalog, 10–11 December 1993, no. 6515, lot 220, transcript and facsimile.
Provenance:This letter from the Daley collection was offered for sale by Sotheby’s in December 1993.
Emendations and textual notes:
salt • sal salt [corrected miswriting]
