Letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (02/11/1925)

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[[MS 2750/255/88]]

 

2nd Nov. 1925

 

Dear Woolf,

 

Both your original estimates of last year and from statements in recent months vary a great deal - I dont mean unreasonably, but they do. Your estimate of a total profit of £35 if the first ed.[ition] of 1050 sold out was for a selling price of 12/6. 4.8."[19]24"). And on 16 July you say you would be amazed if the total cost to me exceeded £300, whereas in your statement of 19.10."[19]25". there is "expenditure, 1st edition, £362.5.4.

 

The chief reason for these variations is I believe

 

 

[[2]]

 

commission.  You dont normally count it as part of cost. Nominally it may not be.  Actually it is [1 word illeg.] manager’s salary, rent [[1 word illeg.]] are part of real production costs.

 

Dont imagine I am finding fault. I am only explaining why I spoke as I did - and, by the way I see in forms of 16.7."[19]24" you anticipate a profit to me of £100 at least from the sale of 1000 copies at 12/6.

 

The omission of commission in your estimate of the

 

 

[[3]]

 

finances of a 4/6 edition to my mind invalidates them.  What I want is to know how actually I should stand A if 1000 copies Sold

at         }           B if 2000    "         "

4/6       }           C. if 3000   "         "

 

Dont bother to work out the answer now. Time enough in six months unless of course something happens in Kenya to boost sales. But by my calculations I shall make no profit if 3000 sell at 4/6 and shall lose if fewer sell. So that I incline to an edition of

 

 

[[4]]

 

4000!

 

What I should be tremendously grateful for is that you should present copies to your influential friends, e.g. Bernard Shaw, 'Affable Hawk' of the New Statesman.  Its no use for me to do it. Nobody breaks into raptures over a letter from me. And speech with me results in quite other sensations. But the astonishing fact is that so many people do break into various emotions when they read 'Kenya'.

 

Yours | Norman Leys. [signature]

 

 

[[5]]

 

P.S.

 

A recent statement from your office makes my profit on the first ed.[ition] £81. You now make it £71. I thought at the time £81 must be impossibly high. But dont trouble to go into these things now. I suggest an exact statement and a plan of campaign for the cheap edition complete in every detail - all these in spring - my last gamble in authorship!

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Source: MS 2750/255/88

Image Rights Holder: © Estate of Norman Leys

Letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (02/11/1925)

Author:

Library:

University of Reading, Special Collections

Archival Folder:

Norman Leys writes regarding estimates and expenditures and questions Leonard Woolf about their accuracy

 

Handwritten letter signed by Leys