On Tue, 12 Aug 1997, James Edstrom wrote in regard to the possible
existence of a Twain wax cylinder recording:

> I've noticed that this question has come up periodically on this listserv.
> I've always hoped that someday someone might find a recording that can be
> verified.  Last year, I ran across a reference in this source to something
> that gave me a little hope:
>
> Rust, Brian A. L.  Discography of historical records on cylinders and
> 78s.  Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 1979.
>
> There is a citation to a speech that Twain supposedly recorded; Brian Rust
> puts the date at "1895?", as I recall; it's been a while since I saw the
> reference, and my memory might be inaccurate.  The citation, however,
> does not say anything about where this recording is kept.  If Mr. Rust is
> still alive (he'd be 75 now), he might be able to provide more details.

Mr. Rust is indeed still alive and living in England.
I recently contacted him regarding his reference citation to a
wax cylinder recording of a speech Twain made in New York, c. 1895.
According to Rust he has no further information regarding
the wax cyliner.  He writes, "I read of it in some magazine many
years ago, but as I recall, there was no indication that it had
survived."  Rust also suggests an inquiry be made to Prof.
Allen Debus of Deerfield, Illinois who may have further info
regarding the recording in question.

Barb