June 4 Monday – In Dublin, N.H. Sam wrote to Frederick A. Duneka.
I find that this “Library of Humor” is not the one which was compiled by me, but is a new book, in whose compilation I have had no part.Also, I find that this book is being actually “published” & its sale pushed.
Also I find that it is not a cheap book, “with no money in it for either of us,” but is cloth-bound & higher priced than my own book.
I only consented that you should resurrect my old book, issue a trifling edition in a cheap form, & make ostensible publication to “save the copyright” from piracy by a Western publisher.
This astonishing violation of a plain & simple agreement is most unsatisfactory to me. I would not have consented to a real republication of the book which I myself compiled & was responsible for, neither would I have dreamed of allowing anyone to put my name to a book in whose compilation I took no part.
I must ask you—in fact I must require you—to take this book out of print immediately, & destroy the plates. Truly Yours
[After his signature:]
Necessarily I shall expect—& require—20% royalty on all copies of the book sold between its issue & its suppression. I must ask you to send me your check for $600, as my books have not been advertised in Harper for Jan. Mar. & June [MTP]. Note: Sam also complained to H.H. Rogers on June 6 and wanted his opinion on this letter before sending it.
George B. Harvey wrote to Sam. “Dear Uncle Mark, / Alas! alas! I am called back to England to attend to some business and sail tomorrow. I expect to return in about six weeks and to see you then. / Trusting that your behavior is beyond reproach and that you are greatly benefiting from your mountain air, / Faithfully yours…” [MTP].
H.H. Rogers wrote to Sam.
I received your letter in due time and note that the automobiling is good to Dublin. Mrs. Rogers has a new machine of which she is very proud, and it is barely possible that you will see us in New Hampshire before many moons have passed.
Col. Harvey was in here to-day for a chat about matters in general, and particularly because he is going back to Europe to-morrow on the Baltic. Your friend Duneka remained in the hall, and I only saw him at the parting. I wanted to ask Duneka for the money due on the manuscript you have at Harper’s; but hardly dared take the liberty. The Colonel said business was not very good, and he could go away as well as not, which leads me to say that I am of the opinion that they are not particularly prosperous [MTHHR 608]. Rogers cautioned Sam not to do anything to jeopardize the contract.
Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.
I find that this “Library of Humor” is not the one which was compiled by me, but is a new book, in whose compilation I have had no part.Also, I find that this book is being actually “published” & its sale pushed.
Also I find that it is not a cheap book, “with no money in it for either of us,” but is cloth-bound & higher priced than my own book.
I only consented that you should resurrect my old book, issue a trifling edition in a cheap form, & make ostensible publication to “save the copyright” from piracy by a Western publisher.
This astonishing violation of a plain & simple agreement is most unsatisfactory to me. I would not have consented to a real republication of the book which I myself compiled & was responsible for, neither would I have dreamed of allowing anyone to put my name to a book in whose compilation I took no part.
I must ask you—in fact I must require you—to take this book out of print immediately, & destroy the plates. Truly Yours
[After his signature:]
Necessarily I shall expect—& require—20% royalty on all copies of the book sold between its issue & its suppression. I must ask you to send me your check for $600, as my books have not been advertised in Harper for Jan. Mar. & June [MTP]. Note: Sam also complained to H.H. Rogers on June 6 and wanted his opinion on this letter before sending it.
George B. Harvey wrote to Sam. “Dear Uncle Mark, / Alas! alas! I am called back to England to attend to some business and sail tomorrow. I expect to return in about six weeks and to see you then. / Trusting that your behavior is beyond reproach and that you are greatly benefiting from your mountain air, / Faithfully yours…” [MTP].
H.H. Rogers wrote to Sam.
I received your letter in due time and note that the automobiling is good to Dublin. Mrs. Rogers has a new machine of which she is very proud, and it is barely possible that you will see us in New Hampshire before many moons have passed.
Col. Harvey was in here to-day for a chat about matters in general, and particularly because he is going back to Europe to-morrow on the Baltic. Your friend Duneka remained in the hall, and I only saw him at the parting. I wanted to ask Duneka for the money due on the manuscript you have at Harper’s; but hardly dared take the liberty. The Colonel said business was not very good, and he could go away as well as not, which leads me to say that I am of the opinion that they are not particularly prosperous [MTHHR 608]. Rogers cautioned Sam not to do anything to jeopardize the contract.
Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.
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