Large Signed Photograph of Mark Twain, Taken and Sold for Charitable Purposes

Uncommon, one of a limited series that contained some of his favorite photos of himself

Perhaps America’s best and most beloved writer, Mark Twain was a novelist, humorist, journalist, and popular lecturer who acquired international fame and influence for his books, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, The Innocents Abroad, Life on the Mississippi, and Roughing It. As H.L. Mencken wrote of Twain, “I believe that he was the true father of our national literature.”

A contemporary of Twain, American poet Ina Coolbirth was a prominent figure in the San Francisco Bay Area literary community. In 1906, her home in California was destroyed in the great fire after the San Fransisco earthquake. Twain wanted to help her with expenses and sent her three autographed photographs of himself which sold for $10.00 each. Twain was subsequently convinced by New York photographer A. F. Bradley to sit for 17 more studio photographs to add further to the fund.

This is one of that series of photographs taken by Bradley in May 1907, and arranged by George Wharton James. In his New York City studio, Bradley placed Twain on a revolving platform to make the capture of different lighting “looks” easier on the subject. The portraits were signed by Twain and sold for Coolbrith’s benefit. Twain said this series contained some of the finest images ever taken of him.

Photograph by A.F. Bradley showing a seated Twain, 12×11 inches, signed by Twain on the mount, with Bradley’s imprint dated 1907. Uncommon, and our first Twain signed photograph in years. Very large.