Asks CD whether he is far enough along with his new work [Descent] to allow him to announce it as a forthcoming publication in his next quarterly list.
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Asks CD whether he is far enough along with his new work [Descent] to allow him to announce it as a forthcoming publication in his next quarterly list.
Financial adjustments for last edition of Origin
and a tentative title for the new work: "Descent of man and selection according to sex". [Later changed to "in relation to sex".]
Wants to keep "The origin of man" as first part of title of book.
JM informs CD that he will have Clowes give him written assurance that the printing [of Descent] will proceed without interruption.
The [Franco-Prussian] War is a sad damper on international science and his publishing plans.
Various arrangements concerning the publication of Descent. "It will cause men to prick up [their] ears – & to elevate their eyebrows." JM thinks he will venture to print 2500 copies.
Suggests CD tone down as possibly indelicate a passage on proportion of advances made by the two sexes in animals.
Cannot find the [indelicate] passage he referred to in last letter.
Various publication arrangements.
Sends table of sales [of Journal of researches]. 2000 copies sold since 1860.
Descent has gone to press for 2500 copies.
JM reports 1900 [advance] copies of Descent were taken at his annual sale,
and 340 copies of Origin [5th ed.] were sold.
Sheets for Dutch publisher will be sent to CD immediately. JM cautions against possibility that Dutch edition will anticipate the English.
Bound copies [of Descent] have been dispatched to CD.
Robert Cooke, JM’s cousin and partner, has been nominated for Athenaeum; asks CD’s support.
Begs CD not to permit any notice by F. P. Cobbe to appear until after next week.
Discusses publication of Descent. Orders copies of vol. 2 sent to Wallace, Mivart, and F. P. Cobbe.
Will attend Athenaeum and vote for RC.
A second edition [issue] of Descent may be needed in short time; preparations should be made, and corrections sent to Clowes. Wallace, Mivart, and F. P. Cobbe have been sent copies of both volumes.
Descent publication costs, "including a heavy item of £126 for corrections" have been received. JM can now offer CD 600 guineas for the edition of 2500 copies.
Receipt for payment by John Murray of £630 for the first edition, consisting of 2500 copies, of Descent.
First edition [issue] of Descent is exhausted. Asks CD to send corrections at once for a new printing of at least 1000 copies.
Discusses new edition of Descent.
JM will print 2000 more copies of Descent as a second edition [issue]. Profits should be large as expenses are small.
Pleased about sale and new issue [of Descent]. Discusses presentation copies.
Second "edition" [of Descent] published this day. Offers CD 800 guineas.
Mentions Wallace’s review in Academy.
Demand [for Descent] is such that JM thinks he will have to print 1000 more copies. Does not want to trouble CD for corrections.
Completes payment for 2d issue [of Descent]; has sold 1300 of the 2000 copies printed. Will probably print 2000 more for 3d issue.