[[1]]

[[MS 2750/152/18]]

Mrs.Alfred Knopf, 
Alfred A.Knopf Inc., 
730 Fifth Avenue, 
NEW YORK, U.S.A.

8.4.[19]32

HAMPSON. O PROVIDENCE

Dear Mrs. Knopf,

Thank you for your letter of the 1st.  I feel that I did not make myself entirely clear in my last letter. On March 14th. we received a note from Mr. Postgate to say that you did not want to publish this book - that you wanted something more saleable first at all events.  This, in effect, meant that you did not take up your option.  We therefore wrote at once to you and to[2 illeg. characters crossed out] Mr. Postgate saying that we considered we were at liberty to offer the book to other American houses.  This we have now done.  The option on future books by Mr. Simpson will of course be given to the publisher of O PROVIDENCE.

We don't understand the position of Messrs.O.K.Liveright in this matter.  Mr.Hampson tells us that he has never given him authority to speak for him, - and certainly we have not.

Yours sincerely, | John F Lehmann [faint signature] | Manager.