25 March 1876 • Hartford, Conn. (MS, in pencil: NNC, UCCL 01317)
(SUPERSEDED)
Got your telegram this today: “London Saturday picture electroes Conway.”1explanatory note
I take it that it means that you want electrotypes from our pictures but not from the letter-press likewise. All right. We shall try to issue here the middle of April but I think we shall be delayed till the first of May. I think you had better at once get a cheap edition (without pictures) printed & bound & be ready to issue with that the moment I telegraph you our positive date of preparati of publication.
If you want our letter-press as well as picture-electrotypes for the costly edition, telegraph me the word “Yes” when you get this letter. If you want only the picture-leelectros, telegraph the word “No” & I’ll act accordingly. But get the cheap edition all printed & ready now, to cover accidents. Better put in our title-pages, “ Only Authorized English Edition . Ⓐemendation —or something to that effect. 2explanatory note
Glad you are home safe. The both of us send warm regards to you both.
In his letter of Friday, 24 March, Conway elaborated on this telegram, evidently sent that same day and received in Hartford on Saturday (see 9 Apr 76 to Conwayclick to open link, n. 1).
Clemens was anxious to ensure that the English edition of Tom Sawyer preceded the American, in order to secure his English copyright. Conway did not, however, agree with his plan for a cheap edition (see 9 Apr 76 to Conwayclick to open link, n. 1, and 16 Apr 76 to Conwayclick to open link).
MicroPUL, reel 1.
The Conway Papers were acquired by NNC sometime after Conway’s death in 1907.
More information on provenance may be found in Description of Provenanceclick to open link.