Murray, John (b) to Darwin, C. R.
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By this post he sends for approval specimen copy of CD's book [Origin of species]. At 14 s., 1250 copies will yield £240, two-thirds of which will go to author. Arrangements for early copies.
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Transcription
Nov. 2. 1859
My dear Sir
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By this day's post I send you a specimen copy of your book bound— I hope it may receive your approval. Please reply by return & not a moment shall be lost in getting ready the early copies—your instructions seem quite clear & shall be carefully followed.
Now as to price—the book from its bulk & size will not be dear at 14/. & this is the price I propose. At this price the edition of 1250 copies will yield about £240—
At 14/. the lowest trade allowance will be 9/6 My Trade Sale is unavoidably put off to the 22
I am dear Sir (in great haste) | Yours very faithfully, (signed) John Murray.
In the above statement of probable profits, I have not deducted anything for corrections & omissions— They amount in Clowes' bill to £72:8:—but I do not wish to deduct any part of them in your case, but to let them go into the general account of expenses
Charles Darwin Esq.
Terrace, Ilkley Wells, Ottley.
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- f1 2513a.f1
Murray's itemised records of the publishing costs of Origin are transcribed in Peckham ed. 1959,p. 775. See also letters to John Murray, 15 October [1859] and [3 November 1859]. CD received £180 as his share of the profits from the first edition of Origin. - +
- f2 2513a.f2
CD had offered to pay for some of the extensive alterations he had made to the proof-sheets. See letters to John Murray, 14 June [1859] and 15 October [1859]. - +
- f3 2513a.f3
Murray's version of CD's address was not quite right: the correct address was Wells Terrace, Ilkley, near Otley, Yorkshire.