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SIGNED Mark Twain Autographed steamship menu 1892 Auth.
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SIGNED Mark Twain Autographed steamship menu 1892 Auth.
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Hello, and thanks for looking. Bidders from any nation are welcome. PleaseHere offered: An exquisite authentic memento of travel with Mark Twain.Those familiar with Innocents Abroad and with Twain's general penchant for diversion during travel will appreciate this fine and authentic piece of history originating on board the Steamer Lahn of the Norddeutscher Lloyd line (of which Twain was particularly fond) in July of 1892. To pass the time on the long voyage, and for the benefit of a Seaman's Fund, Twain agreed to be put on trial on charge that his works are full of lies and that he is an inveterate and unscientific liar. He was tried by a jury of Yale men and sentenced by fellow passenger Hon. Dittenhoefer {Ex-judge} to read from his works aloud each day for the amusement of passengers and torment of himself. Each participant received in return for their donation to the Fund, a breakfast menu hand-signed by Twain with explication in purple mimeographed ink on reverse which reads: Admiralty Court:This certifies that the bearer has made a contribution to the Seaman's Fund in satisfaction of the decree of this court which tried Mark Twain this day for inordinate and unscientific lying and found him guilty. Dittenhoefer, Judge Waldstein, Sheriff Wallach, Counsel for Prosecution Webster, Counsel for Defence Steamer Lahn at Sea July 12th Witnesses for prosecution Miss B.r Dittenhoefer Miss A. Longfellow Cellen Mr. F.J. Price Dr. W.W. Seeley Mr. K.D. Cheney Jr. Yale Jury Mr. H.A. Bonne " H. Cheney " C.H. Day " W.S. Day " M. W. Galloway " C.S. Haight Mr. W.C. Juison " E.H. Neason " J.C. McClung " C.B. Sears " J.S. Woodruff " A.B. Woodward (a letter or two in some of the names above may be incorrect as the Gothic script is in places difficult to decipher) Menu measures 8.6 x 5.75 inches and has been encapsulated in removable plastic by a professional conservator. Some of you will enjoy further research. To begin I have scanned a NY Times article from 1901, and pasted another reminiscence from the Times below. The Washington Post for 13 November 1892 speaks to the event with a one-page article on p. 12: "Twain in Durance Vile; Ludicrous Trials of a Humorist in the Middle of the Ocean". And this article is referred to on the comprehensive twainquotes site in the chronology of known Mark Twian Speeches. See also chapter 180 "Many Wanderings" in Paine's biography. Bidders should understand that the hand-written "a true copy:" above the signature is not meant to signify that the it is mechanically produced or in a hand other than Twain's. I have seen a photograph of one other of these menus and it too had "a true copy" above the signature which likewise was Twain's and, of course, not exactly identical to this one. It is authentic as will immediately be apparent to the high bidder upon receipt. The New York Times, September 12, 1920 Mark Twain's Mock Trial "We were having a very dull voyage. Mark Twain was one of the passengers on the steamship, and it was decided to have a mock trial instead of the usual concert for the benefit of the Seamen's Fund. Mark Twain was to be arrested and tried on the charge of being the greatest liar in the world. Every one was eager for this unusual form of entertainment, and Mr. Clemens entered into the spirit of it heartily. Judge Dittenhoefer of New York presided. A number of Harvard and Yale students were the jury, and the witnesses were other passengers. The hall was crowded.Every one received a souvenir program with Mark Twain's autograph. The prisoner was handcuffed and forcibly led in by two sailors, looking as if he had had a severe struggle before his arrest. He was placed on the stand and the witnesses talked about everything but the case. They related numerous funny stories, and the only allusion to Mark Twain's veracity was made by a ...
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