Engraving Plate

Object/Artifact

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Engraving Plate

Entry/Object ID

SS.85.3

Description

Engraved copper plate with leather cover and leather covered box: engraved image of man (bust length) with hair in disarray (no doubt a self-portrait of Twain) signed "Done by Truly Yours Mark Twain N.B. I cannot make a good mouth, therefore I leave it out. There is enough without it anyway. Done with the best ink. M.T." A piece of paper bearing the following inscription is inset into the bottom of the plate "1875. Chauncey Depew. 1902. Let's remain young. Mark Twain"; each top corner has one hole; silk ribbon originally passed through them to attach plate to leather covering; brown leather cover (book-like) has "Chauncey M. Depew" stamped in gilt; a loose sheet of tissue paper covers copper plate; leather covered plate fits into hard greenish-brown leather-covered case; sides have thumb holes cut for ease in removing; top of case broken off and bears partial label "Mr. Chaunc..."

Collection

Sunnyside Object Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Artist

Date made

1902

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

See description

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Box

Height

7-3/4 in

Width

4-1/4 in

Length

9/16 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 7 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 9/16 in. (19.7 x 10.8 x 1.4 cm)

Dimension Description

Cover

Height

6-1/4 in

Width

4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 4 in. (15.9 x 10.2 cm)

Dimension Description

Plate

Height

5-1/4 in

Width

3 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 5 1/4 x 3 in. (13.3 x 7.6 cm)

Material

Gilt, Leather, ink, copper, Paper, Silk

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of Condition: Oxidation on edges and back of plate, one ribbon not attached, leather box scratched, top broken off and worn.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Chauncey Mitchell Depew

Notes

Former owner

Person or Organization

Samuel Langhorne Clemens

Notes

Subject

General Notes

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 13D

Note Type

Department

Note

Curatorial