The Portable Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [248]
It would be proper to start with an edition of 1000 copies. For this number, the monthly expense, including paper (of the finest quality) composition, press-work & stitching will be about 180$. I calculate all expenses at about $250—which is $3000 per annum—a very liberal estimate. 1000 copies at $ 5 = 5000$—leaving a nett profit of 2000$, even supposing we have only 1000 subscribers. But I am sure of beginning with at least 500, and make no doubt of obtaining 5000 before the expiration of the 2d year. A Magazine, such as I propose, with 5000 subscribers will produce us each an income of some $10,000; and this you will acknowledge is a game worth playing. At the same time there is no earthly reason why such a Magazine may not, eventually, reach a circulation as great as that of “Graham’s” at present—viz 50,000.
I repeat that it would give me the most sincere pleasure if you would make up your mind to join me. I am sure of our community of thought & feeling, and that we would accomplish much.
In regard to the poem on Harrison’s death, I regret to say that nothing can be done with the Philadelphia publishers. The truth is that the higher order of poetry is, and always will be, in this country, unsaleable; but, even were it otherwise, the present state of the Copy-Right Laws will not warrant any publisher, in purchasing an American book. The only condition, I am afraid, upon which the poem can be printed, is that you print at your own expense.
I will see Griswold and endeavour to get the smaller poems from him. A precious fellow is he!
Write as soon as you receive this & believe me
Yours most truly
EDGAR A POE
A Georgia physician, poet, and plantation owner who admired Poe, Thomas Holley Chivers was a plausible prospective partner. When he penned this letter, Poe was confident that he would be receiving a government appointment. But the job failed to materialize, and Chivers declined the invitation to bankroll Poe’s magazine. The passing reference to the absence of an international copyright law coincides with Poe’s emerging advocacy of such protection for U.S. authors. The mention of Rufus Griswold, then working for Graham, hints at Poe’s scorn for him.
EDGAR ALLAN POE TO FREDERICK W. THOMAS AND JESSE E. DOW
Philadelphia March 16, 1843.
My Dear Thomas, & Dow
I arrived here, in perfect safety, and sober, about half past four last evening—nothing occurring on the road of any consequence. I shaved and breakfasted in Baltimore and lunched on the Susque-hannah, and by the time I got to Phila. felt quite decent. Mrs. Clemm was expecting me at the car-office. I went immediately home, took a warm bath & supper & then went to Clarke’s. I never saw a man in my life more surprised to see another. He thought by Dow’s epistle that I must not only be dead but buried & would as soon have thought of seeing his great-great-great grandmother. He received me, therefore, very cordially & made light of the matter. I told him what had been agreed upon—that I was a little sick & that Dow, knowing I had been, in times passed, given to spreeing upon an extensive scale, had become unduly alarmed &c&c.—that when I found he had written I thought it best to come home. He said my trip had improved me & that he had never seen me looking so well!!!—and I don’t believe I ever did.
This morning I took medicine, and, as it is a snowy day, will avail myself of the excuse to stay at home—so that by to-morrow I shall be really as well as ever.
Virginia’s health is about the same—but her distress of mind has been even more than I had anticipated. She desires her kindest remembrances to both of you—as also does Mrs. C.
Clarke, it appears, wrote to Dow, who must have received the letter this morning. Please re-inclose the letter to me, here—so that I may know how to guide myself.—and, Thomas, do write immediately as proposed. If possible, enclose a line from Rob. Tyler— but I fear, under the circumstances,