System Number: 02029
Date: 3 March 1887
Author: James R. Osgood[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler H130
Document Type: ALS
OFFICE OF
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
(JAMES R. OSGOOD, AGENT,)
30, FLEET ST, LONDON. E. C.
March 3. 1887
Dear Mr Whistler:
In confirmation of our understanding in our last evening's talk, I now write to say that Messrs. Harper & Brothers will undertake the American publication of your "Ten O'Clock[2]," issuing it at fifty cents, and paying you the customary royalty of ten per cent (10 %) on the retail price for all copies sold. They will bring it out, if you wish, in style [p. 2] similar to Messrs. Chatto's[3] Edition, although I should recommend a larger type and a thicker paper, so as to make it seem more for the money.
It will of course be understood that the dates of publication here and in America must be practically simultaneous, and copy must be furnished in time to enable Messrs. Harper to bring produce their edition in good time.
[p. 3] If you accept this arrangement, kindly advise me at once, and I will with your concurrence see Mr Chatto and arrange about the date of publication. I understand the question lies between publishing within the next 6 or 8 weeks or deferring it until the coming autumn. Which do you prefer?
Yours very truly
J. R. Osgood
J. McNeill Whistler Esq
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Notes:
1. James R. Osgood
James Ripley Osgood (1836-1892), agent for Harper and Bros, publishers [more].
2. Ten O'Clock
JW's Ten O'Clock Lecture was delivered first on 20 February 1885.
3. Messrs. Chatto's
Andrew Chatto (1840-1913), publisher [more]. Whistler, James McNeill, Mr. Whistler's 'Ten O'Clock.', London, 1885 was printed by Thomas Way (1837-1915), lithographic printer [more], and published privately. The regular edition printed by Chatto was Whistler, James McNeill, Mr. Whistler's 'Ten O'clock', London, 1888. Houghton, Mifflin and Co. printed the first American edition.