August 15 Wednesday – Frank N. Doubleday wrote from N.Y.C. to Sam [MTP]. Note: Sam had asked Doubleday to “put away ten copies” of “What is Man?” for “special bindings some day” on July 27. Doubleday replied that he’d been out of town and didn’t receive Sam’s letter and telegram until Monday (Aug. 13).
If Colonel Harvey, as you say, would not consider anything but a stiff order, I should think the subject had better be dropped, as I do not believe that Mr. McClure could possibly get a large price for serializing these books. It is customary for newspapers to buy books of this kind for small amounts of money, it being considered splendid advertising. Mr. McClure is sailing for Europe tomorrow, and not having heard from Miss Lyon could do nothing.
Bothwell has put off the delivery of “What is Man” until the first of next week. For those ten special copies he suggests a perfectly plain crushed levant on the outside… [MTP]. Note: Doubleday continued with binding descriptions giving Sam the option of “extravagance” at $12 per book or a “very nice binding” for “two or three dollars apiece.”
Sam’s A.D. of this day, “A Corn Pone Prayer” dealt with the first day of school in Mrs. Horr’s class in Hannibal; it was selected for MTE [107-110]. Clemens’ A.D. this day also included: Praying for gingerbread [MTP: Autodict2].
August 15 ca. – In Dublin, N.H. Sam replied to Frank N. Doubleday: “will keep the sheets & not do any binding at present / perhaps order 20—” [MTP].