Sends first copy of new [6th] edition of Origin. Expenses have been much higher than estimated because of extensive revisions. 3000 copies retailing at 6s would yield only £100 profit. Suggests fixing price at 7s 6d.
Foreign translations, illustrations, and other arrangements for Expression. Foreign publishers must be bound not to publish before the English edition is out.
Answers CD’s questions on arrangements for forthcoming publication of Expression – including cost of stereotypes, woodcuts, and photo reproductions for foreign translations.
Sends Murray’s cheque for £315 for the last issue of Descent.
Details regarding foreign editions of Expression.
Agrees on price for supplying Appleton with Expression electrotypes and stereotypes. Difficulties with heliotypes [for illustrations of Expression].
Explains the cost of heliotype plates [for Expression] and the consequent need to raise the price of the book.
Sends a set of plates [for Expression]. Price of the book must be 12s instead of 10s 6d, or 14s instead of 12s.
Cost of plates [for Expression] is very high and will make "a terrible hole in the profits".
Has ordered printing of 2000 sets of illustrations [for Expression] for Murray’s and informed D. Appleton of price per thousand. Has answered letter from Eduard Koch [of Schweizerbart]. Has also arranged for index.
Cost of impression of the heliotype plates [for Expression] is so high that he asks CD to consider having a set photographed onto wood and then engraved. Index [for Expression] is in hand.
Defers to CD and has ordered 2000 sets of impressions from heliotype plates [for Expression] for Murray’s and 3000 sets for Appleton. Also has directed printer to send Appleton a set of stereotype plates of the work and the woodcuts.
Has learned that German edition [of Expression] will be on larger pages than English one. No copies of heliotype plates [for Expression] have been delivered. Hopes Heliotype Company is not going to throw them over. Suggests CD write a strong letter.
Heliotype Company assures RC all 8000 sets of the plates [for Expression] will be ready next week.
Expression is now almost ready. The plates will require great care in the binding.
D. Appleton has been sent 3000 sets of plates [for Expression]. Hopes to publish [Expression] on 12 Nov.
Presentation copies [of Expression] will be ready in a week. Has ordered only 250 copies to have cut edges because trade prefers uncut pages.
Murray’s will allow CD 18 copies [of Expression].
All foreign publishers, except Dutch, have paid for the plates.
Does not understand Reinwald [French publisher of Expression], who apparently intends an edition of only 500 copies. Sends first copy to CD.
Quandary caused by Heliotype Company’s failure to deliver enough plates for Expression because of a strike. Murray’s now has 7000 books and only 3000 sets of plates.
Murray’s must publish [Expression] tomorrow with only 4000 copies, because plates for 3000 additional copies have not yet been delivered. The trade and public will be dissatisfied. It may be advisable to get police to defend the house.