Autograph Letter Signed (H.W.L.) to Mr Osgood, Cambridge, Feb. 26, 1874

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One sheet octavo, folded, 3 1/2 pages. Autograph letter signed (initials) to his publisher James R. Osgood (1836-1892) of Boston. A bibliographically important letter, quoted in full by Livingstone in his bibliography of Longfellow, and partly reproduced by BAL ("location of original letter not known"). Longfellow writes to inform his American publisher that Routledge in London has issued a premature and unauthorized edition of Hanging of the Crane : "I know nothing about this unpleasant business beyond the fact that Routledge has published the book. This I learn from a London newspaper "The Echo", I sent Routledge a copy for the use of artists, in the desire of saving time. I did not authorize him to publish it in any shape, but only asked what terms he would offer for an illustrated edition". Longfellow's fears were unjustified. What Routledge had done was to print a few copies of the text for copyright purposes, one of which was deposited in the British Museum, where it still remains (the only copy described by BAL). In the end illustrated editions were published more or less simultaneously in Boston and London, in October of the same year (but with the title-pages of 1875). From the Wakeman sale (Lot 750), "Very important letter to Osgood referring to the pirated edition". Seller Inventory # 000299

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