Letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2]

  • Handwritten letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2] page 1 of 7
  • Handwritten letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2] page 2 of 7
  • Handwritten letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2] page 3 of 7
  • Handwritten letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2] page 4 of 7
  • Handwritten letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2] page 5 of 7
  • Handwritten letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2] page 6 of 7
  • Handwritten letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2] page 7 of 7

 

[[1]]

 

[[MS 2750/255/22]]

 

6th Aug. 1924

 

Dear Woolf,

 

I would say 1550 copies with complete certitude of being right, but for the fact, which I must face, that an extra cost of £25 would be borne not by me but really by my wife and daughter. On the other hand they would get any profit of course, highly unlikely as the prospect seems to be. Suppose only 1050 are copied printed and there were a demand for more? What would be the cost of

 

 

[[2]]

 

a second edition? Nearly as big as the first? Or at least two thirds as much? If so then please have 1550 printed. If on the other hand a second edition would cost per copy less that half the first then have 1050 printed.

 

2. Yes, Clark to begin setting at once.

 

3. With one exception, I approve all your estimates in detail. The exception is 12 pp. for index. I regard the

 

 

[[3]]

 

3

 

arrangement as the best feature of the book. It is too well arranged in fact. My hope is that readers will find they wont [sic] want an index. Also my mind is stale and I dread the job of making an index. I suppose that if the number of pages proves to be less than Clark estimates the cost of printing will proportionately be reduced. Please let me know about the index.

 

4. On reflection I am tempted to make the price 15/-. But as I suppose the extra 2/6 would affect

 

 

[[4]]

 

4

 

the sale I agree to 12/6.

 

5. I have the feeling that Chap xiv is so far below the average level of the book that I ought to be able to better it. But I am tired and have lost all confidence in my own judgement of what is convincing, and by tinkering I might do more harm than good. If you think discussion would help, and have time to give me half a day, I might accept your invitation to spend a night at Monk's House, if Mrs. Woolf wouldnt [sic]

 

 

[[5]]

 

5

 

mind shabby clothes and manners acquired by long sojourns among the Scythians both in Africa and in Derbyshire, of whom the latter are by far the more barbarous. But the more I consider the more I shrink from touching the mss[manuscript]. any more. Where I am so conscious of so many faults which so often I have tried without success to amend it may be wisest to desist.

 

Maps will be posted tonight.

 

 

[[6]]

 

6

 

You havent [sic] said anything about sending the spare copy of the mss[manuscript] to the travelling members of the Committee. I hope you agree.

 

Yours | Norman Leys [signature]

 

I have a third copy of most of the chap[ter]s. So if you want a copy of Chap[ter]s iii vi & 8 viii for the use of this new Committee you may have them, when needed.

 

 

[[7]]

 

P.S.

 

3/6 P[ostal].O[rder]. received

 

As you are keeping a record of all expenses perhaps you wont [sic] mind keeping a record of people who should get free copies. A very old friend (not T. Jones) now fairly high in the world knows W. T. Layton, Editor of Economist and says he will see that Layton gives the book a good review. Will you make a note accordingly?

Rights Statement:

Reproduced with the permission of the estate of the author, courtesy of Penguin Random House Archive and Library. This item has not been made available through a CC By-ND-NC licence, please see our terms of use page for further detail

Source: MS 2750/255/22

Image Rights Holder: © Estate of Norman Leys

Letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (06/08/1924) [2]

Author:

Library:

University of Reading, Special Collections

Archival Folder:

Leys discusses amounts of copies; any losses made would be borne by his family. He enquires about the possibility of the costs of a second edition. He also approves the estimates sent to him but gives one exception. Leys also discusses the number of pages, and asks questions about the index. He thinks about accepting Woolf's invitation to meet. He comments on the quality of his own work and whether it is best to try and amend it leave it as it is. He finishes by offering copies of the chapters to Woolf, asks if he is keeping record of expenses, and requests if Woolf can keep a record of who should be receiving free copies.

Handwritten letter signed by Leys