July 4, 1903 Saturday

July 4, before – In Riverdale, N.Y. Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam to the Roycrofters, declining their invitation to dine on July 4 [MTP].

July 4 Saturday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam wrote a postcard to Frederick A. Duneka, Harper & Brothers: “I am hatching another proposition for those Blisses people. This time I think it will go through, possibly” [MTP]. Note: see June 27 from Bliss; his initial plan was declined.

Sam also wrote to Ward Jacobs, major stockholder of American Publishing Co. He disclosed he had not yet read Frank Bliss’ answer of June 27, what with transporting Livy to Elmira, but the day before had typed out a new proposition. He could not leave Livy but could Jacobs come to him? Bliss could forget the Collier proposition that he’d offered June 4 at Whitmore’s; that was off the table now, and the “private conversation” in Jacobs’ office was not an offer as Bliss imagined it. Bliss was confident of selling 5,000 sets of “Hillcrest” editions for two years, and Sam liked that “energetic sound.” If Bliss could accomplish that he could keep those rights for ten years. Sam would not offer his new proposition to American Publishing without Jacobs’ prior approval [MTP].

Sam’s notebook : “Wrote Jacobs asking him to come here and examine my new proposal. / Wrote Mr. Rogers, outlining the proposal. / Livy making great progress” [NB 46 TS 20]. Note: letter to Rogers not extant.

Day By Day Acknowledgment

Mark Twain Day By Day was originally a print reference, meticulously created by David Fears, who has generously made this work available, via the Center for Mark Twain Studies, as a digital edition.   

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