From:
John Murray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[1 July – 23 Aug 1862]
Source of text:
DAR 171: 525
Summary:
Account of Orchids.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
Showing 41–60 of 127 items
Account of Orchids.
CD is well content with sale of 768 copies [of Orchids]. Hopes and expects remainder will ultimately be sold.
Reports misprint in announcement of his book [Orchids].
Asks that a copy of Origin be sent to Thomas Rivers.
Curious about sale of Orchids. It is too stiff for the public. "If praise from Botanists would sell, it would go off well."
CD too ill to write.
Asks that a presentation copy of Origin be sent off.
He has authorised an Italian translation of Origin.
Has made progress [on Variation]. Hopes it will go to press in the autumn. Lists his needs for cuts to be made – altogether 50.
Supposes Origin has ceased selling. Would be sorry to have labour of another edition. A new French edition is wanted.
Will be proud to publish CD’s new work on domestic animals [Variation]. Will announce it as the complement of the Origin. Advises on woodcuts; does not wish to limit number; agrees to CD’s suggestions for artists.
Discusses proposed publication of Variation.
Thanks for advertisement, and pleased Murray likes title (of Variation).
CD has asked him to supervise drawings of pigeons and fowls [for Variation]. Sends estimates for drawings and engravings by artists who do such work for the Field.
There is no chance of publication [of Variation] by autumn, because of CD’s illness.
Informs CD third edition of Origin is exhausted. Proposes a new edition. Has CD any changes? Since demand is slowing up, proposes printing only 1250 copies and deferring payment of CD’s share until sales have repaid manufacturing costs.
CD is pleased [about need for a new edition of Origin] but even more grieved – for it will delay his next book [Variation]. Progress of natural history will make many changes necessary in Origin. Nevertheless, proceeds with 32 more woodcuts for Variation.
Sends sheets of Origin [4th edition] for CD to correct [for 3d German edition?].
Still has 600 copies of Orchids, but deficit reduced to £30.
Undertakes to pay two-thirds of profits of the [fourth] edition of Origin as soon as one-half of the copies are sold.
Printing [of 4th edition of Origin] nearly complete. Will print 1000 copies which, at present rate of sale, may last three to five years.
Has corrected and improved Origin.
Now hopes to make real progress [on Variation].
On reflection, in view of the extensive additions CD has made to Origin, has decided to print 1500 copies [of 4th ed.].
4th edition of Origin will soon be bound. Suggests sending copies to scientific periodicals that might notice it. Hopes JM will specify in advertisements that the work is corrected and enlarged. Hopes pages will be cut. Only insanity accounts for this not being done in England.
Proposes to delay issue [of 4th ed. of Origin] until November to obtain better market conditions. Now printing 1250 copies.
Explains practice of not cutting pages is due to propensity of English public to read books without buying them.
Will attend to CD’s wishes regarding six presentation copies [of Origin, 4th ed.] for England and America.