Vol 3 Section 0360
November 16 Thursday – Eva A. Spiridon (Mrs. Ignace Spiridon) wrote from Monte Carlo to reply to Livy’s questions about the portraits they did of the Clemens girls, which the Spiridon’s had already sent to Paris Exposition. “After the Exposition they will be sent to America and I shall write you before we send them in time so you can give your orders” [MTP].
The New York Times on Nov. 17 announced a Nov. 16 meeting that reorganized Harper & Brothers, and affected North American Review:
HARPER & BROS. REORGANIZE.
G.B.M. Harvey, Editor and Proprie-
tor of The North American Review,
Elected President of the Firm
J. Henry Harper, Vice President of Harper & Brothers, announced last evening that at a meeting of the directors of the publishing company, held yesterday afternoon [Nov.16], George B. M. Harvey, editor and proprietor of The North American Review, was elected President and Managing Director of Harper & Brothers. He added that Mr. Harvey had purchased from the shareholders a large interest in the company.
The organization as completed at the meeting was as follows: President—G.B.M. Harvey; First Vice President—John W. Harper; Second Vice President—J. Henry Harper; Third Vice President—Clarence W. McIlvaine; Secretary—James Thorne Harper; Treasurer—Henry S. Harper, and Directors, in addition to the officers above named—H.R. Harper and James Harper. …
….
It was reported some months ago that a consolidation of Harper & Brothers and Doubleday & McClure had been practically completed. It was found, however, when the time came to put the suggested consolidation into effect that the lines of publication of the respective companies differed so widely that the plan was impractical. It was abandoned with the consent of Mr. McClure as soon as several members of Harper & Brothers, who were not within reach at the time of the negotiations, returned to the city.
Mr. Harvey was seen at his residence last evening, and confirmed the announcement of Mr. Harper, but further than to add that he should continue to act as editor of The North American Review, he declined to discuss his plans for the future, on the grounds that they were not yet fully matured.
Note: George Brinton McClellan Harvey (1864-1928), wealthy American diplomat, journalist, owner of several newspapers, presided over Harper and Brothers publishers from 1900-1915. He negotiated the most lucrative contract ever given to an American writer with Mark Twain.
November 17 Friday – In London, England Sam replied to H.H. Rogers (incoming not extant but before his mother’s death on Nov. 9), asking that their money be put “into a safe thing which stands to rise in value.” Sam agreed with a suggestion (not specified) by Rogers about the Mt. Morris Bank. Unaware she had passed away on Nov. 9, Sam wrote he was glad Rogers’ mother was “up & about again.” He took another jab at Clarence C. Rice:
Putting yourself into that old poker-sharp’s hands!—a man embittered by his billiard-defeats & poker-defeats, & in all sorts of ways. Rice is going to get even with you this time—he holds all the cards.
I am going out & walk home, now & enjoy the fog. You couldn’t cut it with an axe [MTHHR 415-6]. Note:
Sam was likely at his publishers, Chatto & Windus.
Sam also wrote to Joe Twichell
It is a great pity, Julia’s husband’s case, but it is plain there is nothing for it but surgery. Otherwise he could go to the Osteopaths in New York—their system & Kellgren’s seem to be the same thing. I never heard of Osteopathy till a week ago, & now I find that it is 20 years old in America & has a college in
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.