December 28 Monday – In Redding, Sam wrote a postcard to Ragnvald Blix in Munich, Germany.
Honored Herr Blix: / That very welcome book arrived last night, & your equally welcome letter followed it this morning. In reply I wish to say that your version of the Mona Lisa is my never-ending delight, & if I can have the original of it I shall treasure it above rubies, & shall be and remain / Your grateful servant / Mark Twain [MTP; New York Times, Dec. 28, p.3 “Mark Twain to Red Cross”]. Note: Blix sent the book of prints (Le Voile Tombe: Caricatures par Blix. 1908) mimicking the old masters, and letter on Dec. 8 [Gribben 75].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “This morning Benar went away to not come back again until after his voyage to England. The King has given him … & appreciative letters to Lord Northcliffe & to Sir Thomas Lipton & Benar goes well equipped with his own darling personality” [MTP: IVL TS 88].
Clemens wrote to the New York, New Haven, andHartford Railroad, requesting forwarding of baggage for Redding on the 3:32 p.m. train out of New York. Letter not extant but referred to in the railroad’s reply of Dec. 29 and also in their reply of Jan. 5, 1909.
J.G. Becht for the Clarion (PA) State Normal School wrote to ask Sam to “write for us a brief New Year’s greeting” for their school magazine [MTP]. Note: “Ans Jan 4 MLH”
Clara Frazer wrote from Withers Mill, Mo. to ask Sam’s permission for her to sell use of his photo on some postcards, a photo he’d given her during her visit with her grandmother, Laura Frazer [MTP]. Note: “Ans Jan 4 MLH”; see Sam’s reply on Jan. 1, 1909.
Zoheth S. Freeman for Liberty National Bank wrote to Sam that as per his instructions they’d “obtained an additional letter of credit for 1000 Marks in favor of Miss Jean L. Clemens” [MTP]. Note: Jean was in Germany under a doctor’s care.
H.C. Lucas who was “arranging a symposium,” wrote from Prairie City, Ill. to ask Sam’s input on “What is the greatest question in the world?” [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 30 MLH”
William Farquhar Payson (1876-1939) sent a copy of his book, Barry Gordon (1908) to Twain, inscribing it: “To Saml. L. Clemens, Esq. Dear Mr. Clemens: May I inscribe this copy of my latest novel to you with glowing recollections of the dinner on your seventieth birthday. As Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and the rest have been my intimate friends for over twenty years, perhaps you will grant at least a bowing acquaintance to my black sheep—Barry Gordon. With all esteem, Yours very sincerely, William Farquhar Payson, December 28th, 1908, Kingsthorpe, Bristol, R.I.” [Gribben 537; MTP].
Dr. Edward Skiddy Quintard and Estelle H. Quintard (Mrs. Edward Quintard) wrote from NYC with New Year wishes to Sam [MTP].
The Silk Association of America per Franklin Allen sent a typed letter to again urge Sam to attend their annual banquet [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 29 MLH”; and IVL: “Regret very much”
Robert R. Wiseman wrote from New Haven to offer miniatures of his etchings. Wiseman recalled with pleasure of showing Clemens his work when he lived in Hartford, though he mused that he did not take away any of Sam’s money then [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 30 MLH”; and IVL: “many thanks for offer, but Mr. Clemens unfortunately has no room now for the many pictures he already owns”