1306
March 3rd 1916
Dear Mr. Joyce
I am sorry to say our difficulties with printers are not over as I had
thought. We began to go into details with Messrs. Richard Clay &
Sons
as to paper, type & so on, & then after a fortnight's delay they
announced that they could not print the book without deletions. A third firm
refused for the same reasons, & a fourth has been considering the
matter
all this week & I am not altogether hopeful of a favourable reply.
Meanwhile time is getting on. A clerk at Oakley House whose services we
are able to make use of in this matter of publishing & who, curiously
enough, was previously in the employment of Messrs. Maunsel & Co.
& remembers well the disputes over your book
Dubliners,
tells me that any book that is coming out in the spring should be out by
April 1st. I am afraid we can hardly hope for this now, for no doubt you
will want to see proofs (when at last we succeed in securing a printer) shall
you not?[1] Perhaps you would
also let me know whether you have any preference as to colour of binding.
Shall it be like Dubliners or would you prefer a different
colour?[2]
Mr. Pound suggests that I try & induce some American firm (he
has given me three likely names) to take from us a number of unbound
copies & be responsible for publication in America, & I will do
this
as soon as we have found a printer.
I have not seen the agreement that Mr. Pinker was to draw up.[3] This matter is also in abeyance
until such
time as a printer is forthcoming. | With kind regards | Yours
sincerely
