135 174
TERMS FOR “A DUET”
184
●
DOYLE, ARTHUR CONAN. Autograph Letter Signed, “A Conan Doyle,” to
publisher Grant Richards, laying out the terms for publication of his forthcoming book,
A
Duet.
2 pages, 8vo, “Undershaw” stationery; moderate marginal discoloration from prior
matting, faint scattered foxing.
Hindhead, Surrey, circa 1899
[400/600]
“
The only valid reason I can ever give a publisher for quitting him is that I can get better terms.
So if I come to you with ‘A Duet’ my terms must be high. . . .
“
1. No advance.
“
2. Half yearly accounts.
“
3.Two shillings per copy on 6/ book.
“
4.Your guarantee to fairly spend £100 in advertising.
“
5.The form to be such as I approve.
“
. . . I propose to sacrifice the serial rights of this book and bring it out at once in book form.
This will in itself be an interesting experiment & should, I believe, help the sale of the book
materially. . . .
“
The book . . . should be ready for appearance early in March. . . .
“
I am on very friendly terms with Smith and must return to him, so don’t be hurt when I do
so with my next book.The fact is that this book ought to be published by a young married cou-
ple and so I give you the refusal of it. . . .”
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
LOTS 184-189