From John Murray 29 November [1877]
Summary
Answers CD’s query about payment made to him [for Descent and Forms of flowers] and explains the basis on which it was made. Because of CD’s wish to be paid before editions are sold off, profits must be estimated. If he were willing to accept annual statements of sales, payments based on them, and final accounting when all were sold, there would be no uncertainty. This is JM’s usual practice.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 29 Nov [1877] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 497, DAR 210.11: 12 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11259 |
From John Murray 3 June [1879]
Summary
Is well disposed toward publishing Krause’s essay on Dr Erasmus Darwin, particularly if CD undertakes to fill up its gaps. He thinks ED’s reputation is increasing.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 3 June [1879] |
Classmark: | DAR 92: B11 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12080 |
From John Murray 3 September [1879]
Summary
Likes CD’s memoir of his grandfather and offers to publish 1000 copies at his own risk, giving half the profits to CD.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 3 Sept [1879] |
Classmark: | DAR 92: B12–13 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12217 |
From John Murray 1 April 1859
Summary
On the strength of CD’s details about his work on species and his knowledge of CD’s former publications, JM offers to publish [Origin] without seeing the MS.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 1 Apr 1859 |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 41913 p.32) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2443 |
From John Murray 2 November 1859
Summary
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.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 2 Nov 1859 |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 41913 pp. 53–4) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2513A |
From John Murray 27 January 1860
Summary
Presents statement of expenses and anticipated profit of the new edition of 3000 copies [of Origin].
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 27 Jan 1860 |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 41913 p. 78) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2664B |
From John Murray 7 May 1861
Summary
Encloses amended note of £372 for third edition of Origin. Provides details of the calculation of profits.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 7 May 1861 |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 41913 pp. 107–8) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3141A |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
From John Murray 21 February [1866]
Summary
Informs CD third edition of Origin is exhausted. Proposes a new edition. Has CD any changes? Since demand is slowing up, proposes printing only 1250 copies and deferring payment of CD’s share until sales have repaid manufacturing costs.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 21 Feb [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 333 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5014 |
DCP-LETT-5017A
Summary
Undertakes to pay two-thirds of profits of the [fourth] edition of Origin as soon as one-half of the copies are sold.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 24 Feb [1866] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5017A |
From John Murray 25 May [1866]
Summary
Printing [of 4th edition of Origin] nearly complete. Will print 1000 copies which, at present rate of sale, may last three to five years.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 25 May [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 334 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5099 |
From John Murray 30 May [1866]
Summary
On reflection, in view of the extensive additions CD has made to Origin, has decided to print 1500 copies [of 4th ed.].
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 30 May [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 335 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5105 |
From John Murray 18 July [1866]
Summary
Proposes to delay issue [of 4th ed. of Origin] until November to obtain better market conditions. Now printing 1250 copies.
Explains practice of not cutting pages is due to propensity of English public to read books without buying them.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 18 July [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 336 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5161 |
From John Murray 23 July [1866]
Summary
Will attend to CD’s wishes regarding six presentation copies [of Origin, 4th ed.] for England and America.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 23 July [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 337 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5164 |
From John Murray 18 October [1866]
Summary
JM states he will publish [Variation] on same basis as Origin, i.e., paying CD two-thirds of the profits.
In response to Asa Gray’s suggestion, he could supply Ticknor & Fields with 250 copies [of Origin, 4th ed.] at half-price.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 18 Oct [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 338 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5246 |
From John Murray 25 October [1866]
Summary
Under circumstances [reluctance of Ticknor & Fields to compete with Appleton], best course is to offer Appleton the 250 copies [of 4th English edition of Origin].
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 25 Oct [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 339 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5255 |
From John Murray 22 December [1866]
Summary
The presentation copy [of Origin, 4th ed.] was sent to B. D. Walsh in August. Will send another.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 22 Dec [1866] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 340 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5317 |