ALS, one page, 7.5 x 9.5, April 20, 1852. Letter to Henry David Thoreau. In full: “I have yours of the 17th. I am rather sorry you will not do the ‘Words and Ways,’ but glad that you are able to employ your time to better purpose. But your…recent notes didn’t reach me yet and I fear the ‘good time’ is passing. They ought to have appeared in the June Nos. of the Monthlies, but now cannot before July. If you choose to send them to me all in a lump, & I will try to get them printed in that way. I don’t care about them if you choose to reserve or to print them elsewhere; but I can better make use for them at this season than at any other.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, scattered toning to body, heavier at edges, and scattered light edge chipping.
This interesting letter reflects Greeley’s role as Thoreau’s publisher, hence his desire to print a recently finished work, but also as his publicist, which explains he would be fine with the idea of having the work printed elsewhere. Among the pieces Greeley and Thoreau would have been discussing during this period was “A Yankee in Canada,” which had been unable to find a a suitable publisher for several years. When it finally did make it to print in 1853, troubles continued to plague the work and its author after the publisher demanded that such statements as "I am not sure but this Catholic religion would be an admirable one if the priest were quite omitted" were deleted. Thoreau refused and pulled his manuscript after only three of five installments. RRAuction COA.
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