To John O'Shanassy   16 July 1862

Melbourne botanic Garden

16 July 1862

Sir

In reply to your minute, dated 22. June,1 I have the honor to inform you, that Mr Ferres estimates the cost of 24 pages of octavo printing at £8.-.- for 1000 copies and that the reprint of the first volume of "the plants of Victoria"2 in this condensed form would extend over approximately 72 pages, thus involving for the 1000 copies an expense of £24.-.-.

I beg further to observe, that in pursuing this course of republication in future the expense will be much less, as the types may at once from the Quarto edition be transferred to the octavo print.

It is my opinion, that a considerable sale of this publication will be effected, as it is one, which could be offered to the public at a very limited price. It could furthermore be introduced into our schools3

I may also be permitted to state, that in all probability a considerable number of copies of the work on Victorian plants will be gradually sold, especially in Europe, where by consent of the honorable the Minister of finances this work as well as my others are available for sale at Ballieres establishments, which are ramified over the principle parts of Europe and America. It occurs to me, that if of all the documents, works, maps & other publications, issued by Government, a number of copies were placed at the agency of some of the principle booksellers of Victoria, a new source of revenue might be derived from their sale.

I have the honor to be,

Sir

your obedient & humble servant

Ferd. Mueller

 

The honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c &c

See M to J. O'Shanassy, 14 June 1862, and notes thereto.
B62.03.03.
Though O’Shanassy approved M’s proposal, the projected work was not published.

Please cite as “FVM-62-07-16,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells accessed on 29 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/62-07-16