January 11 Saturday – A humidor with this date engraved was purported given to Sam at a banquet, most likely in New York. The humidor is said to have been presented to Mark Twain at a banquet on January 11, 1873. The presenter was his good friend Charles Tiffany. Charles Tiffany and his son Louis Comfort Tiffany supplied many of the decorations for the Hartford home. A description: “This burled walnut humidor and silver humidor has four sections with beveled lids and the engraved monogram ‘MT January 11 1873’. The flip-lidded burl humidor retains the original key and is stamped Tiffany and Co. Union Square” [Item # 250105137406 offered on eBay April 15, 2007]. A search of the New York Times for dates before and after this event came up empty. Sam’s purchase on Jan. 8 from Isaac Glazier & Co. would suggest he was in New York City from Jan. 7 or 8 through Jan. 11.

Whitelaw Reid wrote to Sam.

My Dear Twain: / The letters were admirable, the second especially, I think, is as good as anything you have ever done.

Is the enclosed cheque fair?

And wont you do something more for us when you see a chance? It wont hurt you a bit to freshen up people’s recollection of you as a newspaper writer. If you only knew enough of Cuba and Santo Domingo to give us similar pictures! But pray seize upon some fresh topic, and write again.

With many thanks,

Very truly yours, / Whitelaw Reid [MTPO].