The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1350]
Mr Graham is a lawyer, but for some time past, has been occupied in publishing. His experience of the periodical business is great. He is a gentleman of high social standing, and possessed of ample pecuniary means. Together, we would enter the field with a full understanding of the difficulties to be encountered, and, I trust, with ability to meet them.
The work will be an octavo of 96 pages. The paper will be excellent — superior to that of the N. A. Review. The type will be new (always new) clear and bold, with distinct face. The matter will be disposed in single column. The printing will be done upon a handpress in the best manner. There will be a broad margin. We shall have no engravings, except occasional wood-cuts (by the best artists) when demanded in obvious illustration of the text; and, when so required, they will be worked in with the type — not upon separate pages as in “Arcturus.” The stitching will be done in the French style, permitting the book to be fully open. Upon the cover, and throughout, the endeavour will be to preserve the greatest purity of taste, consistent with decision and force. The price will be 5$.
The chief feature of the literary department will be that of contributions from the most distinguished pens (of America) exclusively. Or, if this plan cannot be wholly carried out, we propose, at least, to procure the constant aid of some five or six of the most distinguished, and to admit few articles from other sources — none which are not of a high order of excellence. We shall endeavour to procure the services of yourself, Mr Bryant, Mr Longfellow, Mr Irving, Mr Cooper, Mr Paulding, Mr Kennedy, Mr Willis, and perhaps one or two others. In fact, as before said, our success in making these engagements is a condition, without which the Magazine will not go into operation; and my immediate object in addressing you now is to ascertain how far I may depend upon yourself for assistance.
It would be desirable that you agree to furnish one paper each month — either a complete poem, or a portion of one — and of such length as you deem proper. The terms will be left entirely to your own decision. The sums specified will be paid as you may suggest — in advance if necessary. It would be advisable that an agreement be made for one year, during which you should be pledged to write for no other (American) Magazine. The journal will be commenced on the first of January 1842, and (should we be so fortunate as to obtain your consent to our proposal) it would be proper that we should have in hand by the first of December next, at least two papers from each contributor.
With this letter I despatch one of similar tenor to each of the gentlemen above named. If you cannot make it convenient to give an unconditional reply, will you be kind enough to say whether you will write for us upon condition that we are able to engage others — specifying what others?
With high respect — yr ob. st.
Edgar A Poe
Fitz-Greene Halleck Esqr
Fitz-Greene Halleck to Edgar Allan Poe — after June 24, 1841
(. . . .) (However eminent may be the contributions engaged for the Penn, it is, after all,) on your own fine taste, sound judgement, and great general ability for the task, that the public will place the firmest reliance (. . . .)
Edgar Allan Poe to Fitz-Greene Halleck — January 10, 1846
My Dear Mr Halleck,
Miss Lynch desires me to say to you that she would be very much pleased to see you to-night. Miss Sedgwick, Cassius M. Clay, and some other notabilities will be present.
Truly yours
Edgar A Poe
Saturday Jan.10
HAMILTON, ROBERT
Edgar Allan Poe to Robert Hamilton — October 3, 1842
Philadelphia Oct. 3, 1842
My Dear Hamilton,
I see that you have my Landscape-Garden in your last number — but, oh Jupiter! The typographical blunders. Have you been sick, or what is the matter?
I wrote you, some time since, saying that if, upon perusal of the “Mystery of Marie Rogêt,” you found anything not precisely suited to your pages, I would gladly re-purchase it, but, should you conclude