WCP493

Letter (WCP493.493)

[1]1

The British Phrenological Society Incorporated.

FOUNDED 1886. INCORPORATED 1899.

63 Chancery Lane, W.C.

April 18th 1907

Dr Alfred Russel Wallace

Dear Sir;

"Elements of Phrenology"2 by Geo[rge]. Coombe.3

We have been in correspondence with (Mess[ieu]rs. J. M. Dent & Co[mpany].)4, 5 the publishers of the ‘Everyman’s Library’6 (particulars of which I enclose) suggesting that the above would prove a very valuable addition to the Library. He writes that though he does not expect that the book would sell to any great extent, it would be good to have it in the library; and that he would be willing to include it if you would write an introduction for it. He would be willing to pay a fee; but the probable small sale of the book will not allow of a large fee. I think that a short introduction would be sufficient; and I hope that you will see your way [2] to help the matter forward. A reprint of the book is urgently needed; and at the 1/- and 2/- prices7 of the library series it would be a decided boon from our standpoint. I shall be glad if you will kindly let me know what you decide to do. I take it that you will possibly correspond direct with Mr J M Dent.

Yours faithfully | George Hart-Cox8 [signature]

1
The repository reference number "[WCP1/8/22]" appears here, with the former reference number "[old Ref WP3/64]" at the foot of the page. The Society's headed paper includes a list of the names of the President , Vice-Presidents (including ARW) and other officials of the Society, together with information about the Society. The top left-hand corner of the page is annotated, perhaps by ARW: "wrote to Mess[ieurs]. Dent. asked £5.0.0".
2
Combe, G. (1824). Elements of Phrenology, Edinburgh, Anderson; London, Simpkin & Marshall.
3
Combe, George (1788-1858). Leader of, and spokesman for, the phrenological movement, founding the Edinburgh Phrenological Society in 1820.
4
Dent, Joseph Malaby (1849-1926). British book publisher.
5
"Mr J M Dent" is written in ink above.
6
A series of reprinted classic literature, conceived in 1905 by London publisher Joseph Malaby Dent whose goal was to create a 1,000 volume library of world literature that was affordable for, and that appealed to, every kind of person. (There is no record of Elements of Phrenology published in the Everyman series, so the request seems to have been unsuccessful).
7
One shilling (5 pence) and two shillings (10 pence).
8
Hart-Cox, George (no dates found). Honorary Secretary of The British Phrenological Society, established in 1886, incorporated in 1899, and disbanded in 1966/1967.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP493.493)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by O'Dell, Sandra [2018-08-15]

Please cite as “WCP493,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 2 May 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP493