Ɛpsilon

From Johan IJkema   21 August 1872

Delft.

21. Augt. 72.

Mr. Charles Darwin. | Down— Beckenham.

Sir!

In “the Atheneum” of 17th. August I read: “Mr. Darwin’s new book on Expression in Animals is ready for publication”.1

I am very desirous to publish also this work of yours in Dutch, Mr. Hartogh Heys van Zouteveen told me that he was willing to undertake the translation.2

I hope you will be content of the dutch edition of your book on “Descent of man”,3 And therefor confide to me the edition of your new work in the dutch language.

In order to obtain the right of translation, it would be very agreeable to me, if you were so kind as to send me the book before its appearance in England: when it has appeared, another publisher may have asked the right before me. I hope, Sir, you will oblige me by sending it very soon.

Within a week you may receive the last part of “The Descent of man”.—

I am Sir | Your most obedient | Joh. Ijkema

1
The notice of Expression appeared the Athenæum, 17 August 1872, p. 215.
2
The Dutch translation of Expression was made by Hermanus Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen (Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen trans. 1873).
3
Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen trans. 1871–2. The book was published in instalments (see Correspondence vol. 19, letter from Hermanus Hartogh Heijs van Zouteveen, 2 March 1871).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-8480,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-8480