The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1351]
How about the $5 due? Try and get it for me & send it by return mail and “as in duty bound we shall ever pray” &c &c.
But, if you consent to my re-purchase of the tale, retain the V in part payment, and let me know, when I will forward the balance.
I am as straight as judges — somewhat more straight indeed than some of our Phil: dignitaries — and, what is more, I intend to keep straight.
Do write immediately.
Yours truly
Edgar A Poe
Rob. Hamilton Esqr
HARPER AND BROTHERS
Harper & Brothers to E. A. Poe - June 19, 1836]
New York, June 1836
Edgar A. Poe, Esq.
Richmond, Va.
Dr. Sir,
We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of yours, dated the 3d. Inst. Since it was written, the MSS to which you refer have reached you safely, as we learn from Mr(.) Paulding, who has been so informed we presume by Mr(.) White.
The reasons why we declined publishing them were threefold. First, because the greater portion of them had already appeared in print - Secondly, because they consisted of detached tales and pieces; and our long experience has taught us that both these are very serious objections to the success of any publication. Readers in this country have a decided and strong preference for works, (especially fictions) in which a single and connected story occupies the whole volume, or number of volumes, as the case may be; and we have always found that republications of Magazine articles, known to be such, are the most unsaleable of all literary performances. The third objection was equally cogent. The papers are too learned and mystical. They would be understood and relished only by a very few - not by the multitude. The number of readers in this country capable of appreciating and enjoying such writings as those you submitted to us is very small indeed. We were therefore inclined to believe that it was for your own interest not to publish them. It is all important to an author that his first work should be popular. Nothing is more difficult, in regard to literary reputation, than to overcome the injurious effect of a first failure.
We are pleased with your criticisms generally - although we do not always agree with you in particulars, we like the bold, decided, energetic tone of your animadversions, and shall take pleasure in forwarding to you all the works we publish - or at least such of them as are worthy of your notice. We are obliged to publish works, occasionally, which it would scarcely be expected of the Messenger to make the subject of comment.
The last number of the Messenger came to hand last evening, and in our opinion fully sustains the high character which it has acquired for itself. The notices of the Life of Washington, and Sallust we presume will prove highly pleasing to Mr Paulding and Professor Anthon.
We are, very respectfully,
Your obdt. Servants,
Harper & Brothers
Harper & Brothers to E. A. Poe - February 20, 1839]
New York, Feb. 20th 1839.
Edgar A. Poe, Esq.
Dr. Sir,
Your favour of the 19th has been recd.
We are inclined to think that "Pym" has not succeeded or been received as well in this country as it has in England. When we published the work, we sent 100 copies of it to London -- and we presume they have been sold. In addition to which we understand that an English edition has been printed. We have not seen any review of it in the English papers yet -- Should any come to hand, we will preserve and forward them to you. Are you connected with any of the newspapers in Philadelphia? If so, we should be please to send you a book for review occasionally.
Respectfully,
Harper & Brothers.
HART, ABRAHAM
Edgar Allan Poe to Isaac Lea — about May 11-27, 1829
Dear Sir,
I should have presumed upon the politeness of Mr R. Walsh for a personal introduction to yourself, but was prevented by his leaving town the morning after my arrival — You will be so kind as to consider