Mark Twain letters to Mary J. Mason Fairbanks: Finding
Aid
Finding aid prepared by Diann Benti.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© 2015
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Overview of the Collection
Title: Mark Twain letters to Mary J. Mason Fairbanks
Dates (inclusive): 1867-1895
Collection Number: mssHM 14219-14325
Creator:
Clemens, Samuel Langhorne, 1835-1910.
Extent:
107 pieces in 2 boxes.
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection contains 105 letters from American author Samuel Clemens (also known as Mark Twain) to his friend and confidante
Mary J. Mason Fairbanks, written
between 1867 and 1895.
Language: English.
Administrative Information
Publication Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities.
The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the
researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Mark Twain letters to Mary J. Mason Fairbanks, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Provenance
Purchased from William H. Bixby, 1918.
Access
Items are available with curatorial approval. Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
Historical Note
American author Samuel Clemens met Mary Mason Fairbanks (1828-1898) in 1867 on board the
steamship the
Quaker City, going to Europe and the Near East, and they became friends.
Fairbanks was married to Abel Fairbanks, an owner of the Cleveland
Herald, and she was traveling in the role of a correspondent for
the
Herald under the pen name, "Myra." Following the trip, Clemens and Fairbanks corresponded regularly, most notably during the time
Clemens was courting his future wife Olivia Langdon.
Scope and Content
This collection contains 104 letters from American author Samuel Clemens (also known as Mark Twain) to his friend and confidante
Mary J. Mason Fairbanks. In addition,
there are also single letters from Clemens to Fairbanks's husband Abel Whitmore Fairbanks (HM 14232) and the Fairbanks's children
Charles Mason Fairbanks (HM 14317), and Mary Paine Fairbanks Robinson (HM 14292). The collection
also includes one letter to Mrs. Fairbanks from Olivia Langdon Clemens (HM 14262). The letters from Samuel Clemens to Mary
Fairbanks are often addressed to "Dear mother," and signed
"Mark," or, occasionally, "Your son."
Related materials in the Huntington Library
Arrangement
The letters are arranged chronologically.
Indexing Terms
Subjects
Clemens, Olivia Langdon, 1845-1904.
Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 -- Archives.
Authors, American -- Archives.
Forms/Genres
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 20th century.
Contributors
Bixby, William K. (William Keeney), 1857-1931, former owner.
Clemens, Olivia Langdon, 1845-1904, correspondent.
Fairbanks, Abel, -1894, addressee.
Fairbanks, Charles Mason, 1855- addressee.
Fairbanks, Mary Mason, addressee.
Robinson, Mary Paine Fairbanks, 1856- addressee.
Box 1
Correspondence, 1867-1871
HM 14219.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1867] December 12.
A.L.S. 6 p. Washington, D.C. Damaged.
HM 14220.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] January 3.
A.L.S. 2 p. Washington, D.C. P.S. only.
HM 14221.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] January 24.
A.L.S. 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14222.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] February 9.
A.L. (incomplete) 2 p. Washington, D.C.
HM 14223.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] February 20.
A.L.S. 8 p. Washington, D.C. Newspaper clipping pasted at top of first page.
HM 14224.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] March 10.
HM 14225.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868 March] 18.
A.L.S. 2 p. S.S. Henry Chauncey, at sea.
HM 14226.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1868 May 1.
A.L.S. 6 p. Virginia, Nevada
HM 14227.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] June 17.
A.L.S. 10 p. San Francisco, California.
HM 14228.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868 June?].
A.L.S. (incomplete) 1 p. This fragment is dated April 2-14, 1868, in
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 2.
HM 14229.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] July 5.
A.L.S. 3 p. San Francisco, California.
HM 14230.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] August 3.
A.L. 4 p. (signature cut off). [New York?]
HM 14231.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] August 17.
A.L.S. 1 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14232.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Abel Whitmore Fairbanks.
[1868] October 5.
A.L.S. 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut. On verso of page 1: Abel Whitmore Fairbanks letter to John T. Short, 1868 October 7.
HM 14233.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] October 5.
A.L.S. 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14234.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868 October 26?].
A.L.S. 7 p. Hartford, Connecticut. This letter is dated October 12, 1868, in
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 2.
HM 14235.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1868] October 31.
A.L.S. 1 p. New York, New York.
HM 14236.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] January 6.
A.L.S. 2 p. Rockford, Illinois.
HM 14237.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869 January 7?]
A.L.S. 2 p. Incomplete: pages 3 and 4 only.
HM 14238.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] January 12.
A.L.S. 1 p. El Paso, Illinois.
HM 14239.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] February 5.
A.L.S. 4 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope.
HM 14240.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869 February?] 10.
A.L.S. 8 p. Hartford, Connecticut. This letter is dated May 10, 1869, in the
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 3.
HM 14241.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1869 February 13.
A.L.S. 2 p. Ravenna, Ohio.
HM 14242.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1869 February 17.
A.L.S. 2 p. Titusville, Pennsylvania.
HM 14243.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869 February 21?].
A.L.S. 4 p. Elmira, New York. Incomplete: p.s. only. This item is dated November 27, 1868, in the
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 2, and included as a postscript to a November 26, 1868, letter.
HM 14244.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] February 27.
A.L.S. 9 p. Lockport, New York.
HM 14245.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] February.
HM 14246.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] March 13.
A.L.S. 7 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14247.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1869 March 24.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York.
HM 14248.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1869 March 31 and April 1.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope. Includes corrections in the hand of Olivia Clemens.
HM 14249.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] April 12.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope and two clippings.
HM 14250.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1869 April 15.
A.L.S. 4 p. Elmira, New York.
HM 14251.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] June 4.
A.L.S. (incomplete) 2 p. Elmira, New York.
HM 14252.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] July 5.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York. Dated Monday, July 4 (which is the 5th).
HM 14253.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] August 14.
A.L.S. 8 p. Buffalo, New York.
HM 14254.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1869 September 27.
A.L.S. 6 p. Buffalo, New York.
HM 14258.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869 September 28].
HM 14255.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] November 19.
A.L.S. 3 p. Boston, Massachusetts. With envelope.
HM 14256.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] December 10.
HM 14257.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1869] December 12.
A.L.S. 3 p. Norwich, New York. With envelope.
HM 14259.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1870] January 6.
A.L.S. 14 p. Amenia, New York. Written on leaves torn from a notebook.
HM 14260.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1870] February 13.
A.L.S. 10 p. Buffalo, New York. Following the letter is a note from Olivia Clemens, signed "Livy." The P.S. is written
alternately by Clemens and his wife (3 p.)
HM 14261.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1870] March 22.
A.L.S. 4 p. Buffalo, New York.
HM 14262.
Olivia Langdon Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1870 March 24.
A.L.S. 3 p. Buffalo, New York. P.S. written by Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
HM 14263.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1870] May 29
A.L. 8 p. Buffalo, New York. A few lines added by Olivia Clemens.
HM 14264.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1870 June 25.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York.
HM 14265.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1870] September 2.
A.L.S. 8 p. Buffalo, New York. Last two paragraphs on page 6 in the handwriting of Olivia Clemens.
HM 14266.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1870] October 13.
A.L.S. 4 p. Buffalo, New York.
HM 14267.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1870] November 5.
A.L.S. 2 p. Buffalo, New York.
HM 14268.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1871 January?] 17.
A.L.S. 6 p. Buffalo, New York. This letter is dated December 17, 1870, in the
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 4. Note added in the handwriting of Olivia Clemens.
HM 14269.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1871] January 26.
HM 14270.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1871 January].
A.L.S. 2 p. This letter is dated November 19, 1870, in the
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 4.
HM 14271.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[approximately 1871 January?].
A.L.S. (incomplete) 1 p. Consists of page 5 only. This page is dated January 26, 1871, in the
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 4, and is probably the continuation of HM 14269.
HM 14272.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1871 February 14].
A.L.S. 4 p. This letter is dated March 14, 1871, in the
Mark Twain's Letters (University of California Press), volume 4.
HM 14273.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1871] April 18.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope.
HM 14274.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1871 April?] 26.
A.L.S. 3 p. Elmira, New York.
HM 14275.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1871 June] 29.
A.L.S. 3 p. Elmira, New York.
Box 2
Correspondence, 1872-1895
HM 14276.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1872 February] 13.
A.L.S. 15 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14277.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1872 February?].
A.L.S. 3 p. Hartford, Connecticut. This letter is dated March 2-4?, 1872, in
Mark Twain's Letters, (University of California Press), volume 5.
HM 14278.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1872] August 11.
A.L.S. 4 p. Saybrook, Connecticut.
HM 14279.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1872] November 2.
A.L.S. 8 p. London, England.
HM 14280.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1873] April 16.
A.L.S. 6 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14281.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1873] July 6.
A.L.S. 14 p. London, England.
HM 14282.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1874] February 25.
A.L.S. 7 p. and 1 fragment. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14283.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1874] March 24.
A.L.S. 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14284.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1874] September 21.
A.L.S. 3 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14285.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1875] April 23.
A.L.S. 5 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14286.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[approximately 1875].
HM 14287.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1876 before April].
A.L.S. 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut. Mutilated.
HM 14288.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1876] June 3.
A.L.S. 6 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14289.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1876] September 14.
A.L.S. 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14290.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1877] April 14.
A.L.S. 6 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope. Last page dated April 17.
HM 14291.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1877] August 4.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope.
HM 14292.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary Paine (Fairbanks) Robinson.
1877 August 6.
A.L.S. 11 p. Elmira, New York.
HM 14293.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1877] September 3.
A.L.S. 4 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope.
HM 14294.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1877 October 31.
HM 14295.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1878 February 5.
A.L.S. 11 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14296.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1878 March 9.
A.L.S. 6 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14297.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1879 March 6.
A.L.S. 17 p. Paris, France.
HM 14298.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1879 May 15.
A.L.S. 7 p. Paris, France. With envelope.
HM 14299.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1879 September 23
A.L.S. 7 p. Elmira, New York.
HM 14300.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1879] December 21.
A.L.S. 2 cards. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14301.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1879 December?]
HM 14302.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1880?] February 6.
A.L.S. 1 card. Hartford, Connecticut. Accompanied by an illustration of the Clemens's house created with "Dan Slote's
new engraving process."
HM 14303.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1881 March 5.
A.L.S. 6 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14304.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1881 September 18.
A.L.S. 3 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope.
HM 14305.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1882 February 21.
L. (typewritten) 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14306.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1882?]
A.L.S. 2 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14307.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1883 May 7.
L. (typewritten) 5 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14308.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1883 June 4.
A.L.S. 4 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14309.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1884?] January 24.
A.L.S. 1 card. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14310.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1884 January 30.
A.L.S. 3 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14311.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1886 November 16.
A.L.S. 6 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14312.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1887 January 24.
A.L.S. 2 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14313.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
[1887] November 16.
A.L.S. 1 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope.
HM 14314.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1887 November 25.
A.L.S. 1 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14315.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1887 December 30.
A.L.S. 2 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14316.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1889 September 13.
A.L.S. 4 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope.
HM 14317.
Samuels Langhorne Clemens letter to Charles Mason Fairbanks.
1890 June 25.
A.L.S. 2 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14318.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1890 October 13.
A.L.S. 2 p. Hartford, Connecticut.
HM 14319.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1891 May 29.
L. 3 p. Hartford, Connecticut. With envelope. Letter is in the hand of a secretary.
HM 14320.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1893 January 18.
A.L.S. 4 p. Florence, Italy.
HM 14321.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1893 May 8.
A.L.S. 2 p. Elmira, New York. With envelope.
HM 14322.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1893 November 10.
A.L.S. 3 p. [New York, New York].
HM 14323.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1894 April 22.
A.L.S. 2 p. [New York, New York].
HM 14324.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1894 July 16.
A.L.S. 2 p. Gramercy Park, New York.
HM 14325.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens letter to Mary J. (Mason) Fairbanks.
1895 February 9.
A.L.S. 3 p. Paris, France.
