Murray, John (b) to Darwin, C. R.
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JM states he will publish [Variation] on same basis as Origin, i.e., paying CD two-thirds of the profits.
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In response to Asa Gray's suggestion, he could supply Ticknor & Fields with 250 copies [of Origin, 4th ed.] at half-price.
Summary Add
Transcription
50
Oct. 18
My Dear Sir
After publishing for you two such works as the Origin of Species & the Orchids
I can have no hesitation in offering at once, even without seeing the MS.S to publish
your ``Domesticated Animals'' on the same terms as I publish the Origin— viz
paying you a sum equal to
If this be satisfactory to you I shall of course pay M
I shall not lose sight of D
I could supply them either with early sheets of your new Book or with stereotype plates if they prefer them
I remain My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray
Chas Darwin Esq
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- f1 5246.f1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 16 October [1866]. - +
- f2 5246.f2
The works referred to are the first four editions of Origin, Orchids, and Variation. For the terms of CD's agreement with John Murray for Origin, see the letter from John Murray, 24 February [1866] and n. 4. - +
- f3 5246.f3
Murray refers to Luke Wells and George Brettingham Sowerby Jr, both of whom provided illustrations for Variation. See letter to John Murray, 16 October [1866]. - +
- f4 5246.f4
Ticknor & Fields was a Boston firm that Asa Gray had approached about publishing Origin and Variation (see letter to John Murray, 16 October [1866] and n. 4). - +
- f5 5246.f5
Murray later told CD that although he was prepared to publish his new book (Variation), he would offer CD only half the profits rather than two-thirds because he felt he was taking a greater risk in publishing a work that would have less popular appeal than Origin. See Correspondence vol. 15, letter from John Murray, 28 January [1867].