Beschreibung:

LETTERS TO HIS AMERICAN PUBLISHERS. 8 Autograph Letters Signed ("Charles Dickens"), 14 pages recto and verso, quarto and octavo (conjoining leaves), various places including London, New York, and Niagara Falls, October 26, 1837 to December 28, 1842, to his American publishers Carey and Co. (later Carey, Lea & Blanchard, then simply Lea & Blanchard), regarding publishing ventures and his 1842 American tour, mild creasing, toning, and thumbing, some offset from ink throughout; 4 with integral autograph address leaf signed, one with original transmittal envelope signed. This remarkable archive from the descendents of the esteemed Philadelphia publishing house founded by Revolutionary War-era publisher Mathew Carey features 8 letters of British author Charles Dickens to the authorized American publisher of his works. The correspondence, which spans the years 1837 to 1842, begins with a discussion of current and upcoming titles from the author, continues during his American tour as the author makes plans to meet with his American publishers, and ends abruptly as, failing in his advocacy of an international copyright law to prevent American piracy, Dickens stopped authorizing American publications altogether. In a letter dated October 26, 1837, Dickens writes Carey and Co. regarding the success of his most recent novel. In part: "I need scarcely say that it affords me great pleasure to hear of the popularity of the Pickwick Papers in America-a country in which in common with most Englishmen I take a high interest, and with which I hope one day to become better acquainted The novel, Barnaby Ridge of which you speak will not be published until late in the autumn of next year. Oliver Twist will appear in June next. I shall be very happy to enter into any arrangement with you for the transmission of early proofs of the latter book, if I should hear from you that you consider it desirable." From July 18, 1838, thanks him for the copy of Pickwick, and continues: "I have never seen your agent Mr. Miller upon the subject of Nicholas Nickleby, but if I had I should have been unable to have sent you early proofs of any number that has yet appeared, as I have been rather behind-hand than in advance and have only completed each number a day or two before its publication. / I shall be glad to hear that Nicholas is in favor with our American friends (whom I long to see) and if you can point out to me any means by which, either in this case or any other, I can give you a preference or serve your interests, believe me that I shall be most willing and prompt to do so." 1838: Lea and Blanchard enters into an exclusive agreement with Chapman and Hall and Dickens to "publish in America on the same day as we publish in England of a compete cast of each number of my new work in parts, including the plates." Though he had contracted for an authorized American version of his works, Dickens was troubled by the American press's habit of pirating the installment versions of his novels and printing them without remuneration to the author. During his 1842 American tour, he railed against the United State's failure to recognize international copyright law, along with slavery and prison conditions, creating controversy at every stop. But during it all, he took time out to write his American publishers and ask them to procure a copy of a recently published title that would go on to become one of the most important American publications. From April 13, 1842: "Can you get me a good copy of a book called 'History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with biographical sketches and anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs, etc. 120 portraits. By Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall Published in Philadelphia. By C. Biddle'?" Lea and Blanchard did send Dickens all the parts that had been published to that date, sending the remaining issues on in 1844 when the rest were issued. The final letter in this archive is perhaps the most remarkable, as, frustrated with his failure to se