Exquisite matte-finish 10.5 x 13.5 portrait of Twain sitting on a small boulder holding a kitten, taken by Underwood & Underwood in 1907, signed and inscribed in the wide borders in black ink, “To Mrs. Kate D. Riggs, with the love of Mark Twain, Jan. 14/08.” Handsomely double-matted and framed to an overall size of 18.5 x 22.5. In fine condition.
This portrait, which came to be titled ‘I Always Had a Fondness for Kittens’ when it was published in the New York Times in 1907, is a fabulous image of Clemens in his trademark white suit that aptly portrays his love for felines. He had cats as pets throughout his life and occasionally included them in his work, penning observations that included, ‘Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man but deteriorate the cat,’ and, ‘I simply can't resist a cat, particularly a purring one. They are the cleanest, cunningest, and most intelligent things I know, outside of the girl you love of course.’ An exceedingly desirable portrait of the great American author. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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