Dato: 22. oktober 1868
Fra: Horace E. Scudder   Til: H.C. Andersen
Sprog: engelsk.

Riverside, Cambridge, Mass. U.S.A. 22 October 1868

Dear Sir:

I beg pardon for delaying so long to write you again upon the matter of the American edition of your works. When I wrote my letter of 27 August, I had not obtained translation s of «The Court Cards" and «Who was the most happy?" Since that, they have been done into English and I have had the pleasure of reading them. There stands before me now an admirable drawing illustrating the former story by one of our young artists - a young lady, Miss Stone - who adds to her devotion to art an enthusiastic admiration of your stories. This story with the drawing will be published in the first number of the new year. In the November number of the magazine will be published the two stories sent by Miss Raaslöff. I have directed the clerk to send you a copy.

Mr. Oscar Pletsch of Berlin - will probably furnish the chief designs for the proposed new volume of your stories for children, and here let me say that on examining the list of your writings which you sent me, I find myself a little in uncertainty as to the best course to follow with regard to the division of your writings. Our plan has been to make two Bvo volumes of about 600 pp each, and to make them contain: the one, such novels and stories as were addressed first to adult readers; the other, such stories and tales as were addressed first to the young; although portions of each volume would be interesting to the class of readers provided for in the other. Indeed older readers seize eagerly upon your stories told to children, as you yourself must be aware. Such a division is quite necessary with us as the book market recognizes the distinction. I have drawn up a list of what I suppose ought to constitute the contents of each volume, and I will enclose it for your reconsideration.

I am not able to judge, since I have not the volumes, whether this may not be a very unequal division. If it be so, I should like to place - My Life's Adventures and the later biography in the second volume, and this volume will contain the portrait. Will you kindly criticize the above arrangement? We should prefer to comprise the works in two volumes, but may be forced to divide what I have set down as Volume I into two parts. Again, I should be glad if we could so arrange the work as to permit the Vol. I to appear in the Spring of 1869, the other to follow in the early autumn of the same year. Of the books named in my list, those marked l, 2, 3, 4(?) 7(?) 8, 12, I have or think I can obtain in English; but it would be of very great service if I could have a complete Danish edition, by which to correct the English translation of such as are already translated, and to furnish material for new translation. I await your sending of the volumes which you propose in your letter and the original notes and preface. Ought not "A Picture Book Without Pictures" to go into Volume II? It is always published here with your stories for children. I saw a paragraph in one of our journals stating that you were to visit our country in February of the coming year. Is it indeed so? I need not tell yon how cordially yon will be welcomed and I must personally beg that I may entertain you in my own house as soon as you arrive. Do me the honour, clear Sir, and be assured that our little household of my mother, my sister and myself will do all that we can to make your stay agreeable. You will find indeed all homes in America open to you. I enclose a slip from one of our journals which indicates something of the interest and affection felt for you. Hundreds of papers throughout the country have announced with pleasure the prospect of new stories from your pen. Let me beg of you finally that you will favour me very soon with new stories that I may set them before my readers. The charming ones already received make me hungry for more. Finally I inclose a draft on London which your publishers beg to forward you in consideration of the three stories and that contained in the newspaper thus far sent. The draft is for 17 £, 19/8. You leave it to us to name the amount due you. In return, will you not now and always say frankly if the amount is insufficient? We desire in our dealings to give perfect satisfaction, and would especially desire that there might be no concealed dissatisfaction with terms. Receive, dear Sir, the highest regards of Messrs. Hurd & Houghton, and believe me

Sincerely yours

HORACE E. SCUDDER

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