From John Murray 23 September 1861
Summary
Offers to publish Orchids, giving CD one-half of the profits of each edition.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 23 Sept 1861 |
Classmark: | DAR 171.3(1): 331 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3261 |
To John Murray 24 September [1861]
Summary
Thanks JM for his liberal offer [to publish Orchids]. CD fears the public will not be interested, but thinks it will "do good to the Origin as it will show that I worked hard on details and it will perhaps serve [to] illustrate how Natural History may be worked under the belief of the modification of Species".
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 24 Sept [1861] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 108–109B) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3264 |
To John Murray 3 October [1861]
Summary
Would JM object to size of Orchids being same as W. N. Hutchinson, Dog breeding [1850]? Prefers little book, not to look pretentious.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 3 Oct [1861] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 110–111) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3275 |
To John Murray 5 October [1861]
Summary
Likes the idea of matching Orchids with Origin. Begs for large print and spacing so that the book will not look "ridiculously small".
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 5 Oct [1861] |
Classmark: | Private collection |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3276A |
To John Murray 21 October [1861]
Summary
G. B. Sowerby, Jr has done the drawings for Orchids woodcuts. Calls JM’s attention to the fact that a first-rate cutter must be employed.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 21 Oct [1861] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 112–113) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3292 |
To John Murray 28 January [1862]
Summary
H. W. Bates is, at CD’s urging, writing a book of travel and natural history. CD suggests JM might be interested in publishing it. Recommends HWB and his MS highly.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 28 Jan [1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff. 28–29) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3415 |
From John Murray 30 January [1862]
Summary
Discusses manuscript by H. W. Bates [Naturalist on the river Amazons (1863)].
Mentions CD’s forthcoming book [Orchids].
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 30 Jan [1862] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3420 |
To John Murray 9 [February 1862]
Summary
Sends MS of Orchids except last chapter. It contains many new and curious facts and conclusions, but he has no idea whether it will sell. If it does not, will hold himself largely responsible.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 9 [Feb 1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 114–115) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3442 |
From John Murray 1 April 1865
Summary
Will be proud to publish CD’s new work on domestic animals [Variation]. Will announce it as the complement of the Origin. Advises on woodcuts; does not wish to limit number; agrees to CD’s suggestions for artists.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 1 Apr 1865 |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 332 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3493 |
To John Murray 4 April [1865]
Summary
Discusses proposed publication of Variation.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 4 Apr [1865] |
Classmark: | DAR 143: 434 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3494 |
To John Murray 9 April [1862]
Summary
JM is a bold man to print 1500 copies [of Orchids].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 9 Apr [1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 116–117) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3501 |
To John Murray 2 May [1862]
Summary
Has returned last page of index [of Orchids]. Hopes JM will reconsider price – 10s seems high. Suggests two reviewers likely to be favourable. Sends list for presentation copies.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 2 May [1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 118–119) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3531 |
To John Murray 13 June [1862]
Summary
CD orders electrotypes for German edition of Orchids.
Asa Gray doubts an American publication is possible but will review it in Sillimans Journal.
[British] botanists have praised it. Other reviews.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 13 June [1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 120–122) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3602 |
To John Murray 18 [June 1862]
Summary
Superb, but exaggerated, review [of Orchids, by M. J. Berkeley] in London Review [& wkly J. Polit. 4 (1862): 553–4]. Asa Gray thinks almost as highly. "I have not been a fool, as I thought I was, to publish." The Athenæum review will hinder sales greatly.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 18 [June 1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 f. 123) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3609 |
To John Murray 20 [June 1862]
Summary
It is not certain cuts are wanted by an American publisher [of Orchids].
Has fixed price of £10 for Schweizerbart [Stuttgart publisher].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 20 [June 1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 f. 124) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3615 |
From John Murray [1 July – 23 August 1862]
Summary
Account of Orchids.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [1 July – 23 Aug 1862] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 525 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3635F |
To John Murray 24 August [1862]
Summary
CD is well content with sale of 768 copies [of Orchids]. Hopes and expects remainder will ultimately be sold.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 24 Aug [1862] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 125–126) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3699 |
To John Murray 7 October [1862?]
Summary
Reports misprint in announcement of his book [Orchids].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 7 Oct [1862?] |
Classmark: | Christie’s (dealers) (27 March 1985) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3753A |
To John Murray 22 January [1863]
Summary
Asks that a copy of Origin be sent to Thomas Rivers.
Curious about sale of Orchids. It is too stiff for the public. "If praise from Botanists would sell, it would go off well."
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 22 Jan [1863] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 f. 127) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3936 |
To John Murray 31 March [1865]
Summary
Has made progress [on Variation]. Hopes it will go to press in the autumn. Lists his needs for cuts to be made – altogether 50.
Supposes Origin has ceased selling. Would be sorry to have labour of another edition. A new French edition is wanted.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 31 Mar [1865] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 131–135) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4801 |
letter | (291) |
Darwin, C. R. | (201) |
Murray, John (b) | (90) |
Murray, John (b) | (201) |
Darwin, C. R. | (90) |
John Murray | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (291) |
Murray, John (b) | |
John Murray | (1) |