Item #338417 Archive of Letters From Various Publishers, Agents, and Authors, to Author Ella Crosby Heath, Regarding the Publication of her First Book, 'Henrietta Taking Notes' (1912). Ella Crosby Heath.

Archive of Letters From Various Publishers, Agents, and Authors, to Author Ella Crosby Heath, Regarding the Publication of her First Book, 'Henrietta Taking Notes' (1912).

1906-1927.

Price: $2,500.00


About the item

The entire archive is in very good condition.

Item #338417

The archive consists of more than fifty letters, most spanning 1906 through 1909 (and a few later letters, circa 1927), mostly from publishers, literary agents, and authors, regarding the publication of Ella Crosby Heath's first book, 'Henrietta Taking Notes.' The correspondence includes letters from Robert Bridges, George Moore, and Inez Bensusan (who is noted for her writing, and her important work in the English woman suffrage movement), and publishers John Lane, Henry Holt et al. Ella Crosby Heath, daughter of William Crosby-Heath (a New York lawyer), was born in New York (circa 1870), but eventually she became a naturalized British citizen. She was a member, and served as Hon. Secretary and Director, of the Leighton House Society [named after Lord Frederick Leighton, the Society was dedicated to the promotion of music and literature]. According to one biographical sketch, she was the "author of novels, anthologies, literary articles and verse, and of One Act Plays, several of which have been produced in London...". She also taught, and composed music, and was "an authority on Negro Spirituals and International Folk songs…" (from a carbon typescript of a biographical sketch, included in the archive). She also wrote verse and prose that appeared in American and English periodicals (including Scribner's, Lippincott's, etc.).

All of her books are uncommon, including 'Henrietta Taking Notes,' which was published by John Lane, in 1912 (OCLC notes five worldwide holdings). She also edited and selected the poems for a poetry anthology, 'Little Poems' (published by Erskine MacDonald, in London, in 1913), and she wrote a number of one-act-plays, which were produced in London.

The more than fifty letters (and other materials) are listed chronologically (and grouped where appropriate), as follows:

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BRIDGES, Robert. TLS, quarto, two pages, New York, February 14, 1906, on "Charles Scribner's Sons" printed letterhead. The letter to "My dear Miss Heath," with details regarding a contract between John Lane and Crosby Heath, for her first book. Bridges gives his thoughts on John Lane, and provides "points which you should particularly insist," such as royalties, complimentary copies, international copyright, etc. "Faithfully yours, [signed], Robert Bridges.
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LANE, John. TLS, quarto, one page, London, February 20th, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. "Spring books are already arranged for, so… no chance of including the Henrietta stories in the list… pleased to do anything to advise and assist with your work… Yours very truly, [signed] John Lane." Three-line ink annotation in Lane's neat ink holograph.
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[LANE, John]. TLS by "The Manager" (for John Lane). A brief letter, quarto, one page, London, August 2nd, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. A brief letter noting that John Lane is away, and provides an address to return the manuscript, "[if] the final decision being unfavorable… [signed] The Manager.
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LANE, John. TLS, quarto, one page (two paragraphs), London, July 16, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. A brief letter about for the manuscript "to [be] sent [by] them to America for a final opinion… Yours sincerely, [signed] John Lane.
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LANE, John. TNS, quarto, one page (2 lines), London, July 31, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. A two-line note, stating, "I have sent the MS. of your stories to America for final decision; I'm afraid the whole is not up to the sample. Yours very truly, [signed] John Lane.
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LANE, John. TLS, quarto, one page (10 lines), London, October 10, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. The letter begins by apologizing for a delay in "a decision about 'Henrietta', I hope we shall be able to publish it in both England and America… keen to arrange for the serialization… Yours very truly, [signed] John Lane."
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LANE, John. TLS, quarto, one page (four lines), London, October 11, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. A brief letter about "requesting the return of the manuscript of 'Henrietta'." Signed, "John Lane."
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THRING, G. Herbert. TYPED "MEMORANDUM" SIGNED. Oblong octavo, one page (6 lines), [London], October 15, 1906, "Incorporated Society of Authors" printed "Memorandum" sheet, noting "I shall be pleased to advise you as to the best publishers to whom to submit [your manuscript]… [signed] G. Herbert Thring."

LANE, John. TLS, quarto, one page (3 lines), London, November 5, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. A brief letter, "I return herewith the manuscript of 'Henrietta'... [and] regret delay… [signed] "John Lane."
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[CROSBY-HEATH, Ella]. RETAINED CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER (Unsent). Quarto, one page, carbon typescript, [circa November, 1906]. A letter demanding the return of the manuscript, and noting, "I never authorized you in any way to send my MS to America… do not desire the MS serialized…". Contemporary ink annotations, "LETTER WRITTEN NOT SENT… Dictated Oct. 11, 1906 by Mr. Thring, at… Author's Society."
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THRING, G. Herbert. TYPED MEMBERSHIP FORM LETTER BY "THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (Incorporated)." Tall quarto, one page, London, "The Society of Authors," printed form-letter, "November 4th, 1906." The form-letter, completed in ink holograph, informs "Miss Ella Heath," that she's been "elected an Associate of the Society," with printed details about membership, dues, pension fund, publication of the list of members, etc.
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THRING, G. Herbert. TYPED "MEMORANDUM" SIGNED. Oblong octavo, one page (11 lines), [London], Dec. 12, 1906, "Incorporated Society of Authors" printed "Memorandum" sheet. The "memorandum" to Miss Ella Heath, recommends several publisher's, including Harpers, Dodd, Mead & Co., McClure, Appleton, Heinemann, etc., signed, "G. Herbert Thring."
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LANE, John. TLS, quarto, one page, London, November 23, 1906, on "John Lane, Publisher" printed letterhead. Lane informs Heath that "it is too late to re-open the matter of 'Henrietta' with a view to publication…". After Heath demanded the "Return of the manuscript at once," Lane placed the "matter in the hands of Authors' Society…". He notes that he was "exceedingly astonished at the attitude you assumed," scolding her for her actions, and for doubting his intent to publish. "Yours very truly, [signed] John Lane." [Despite this, John Lane went on to publisher her book, in 1912, under the full title, 'Henrietta Taking Notes,' by "E. Crosby Heath." [likely published in a rather small edition].
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THRING, G. Herbert. TLS, quarto, one page (two paragraphs), [London], Nov. 29, 1906, "Society of Authors (Incorporated)" printed letterhead. The letter concerns a potential case of "infringement" [plagiarism] asserted by Ella Heath, but doubting her success, signed, "G. Herbert Thring."
. Together with: PRINTED RECEIPT SIGNED BY G. HERBERT THRING. [London], Nov. 29, 1906, Printed receipt for Miss Ella Heath's paid subscription to the Society of Authors, signed, "G. Herbert Thring."
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THRING, G. Herbert. TLS, quarto, one page (two paragraphs), London, July 30, 1907, on "Society of Authors (Incorporated)" printed letterhead. The letter concerns the society's newsletter, and wishes her "more success with your book in the near future…", signed, "G. Herbert Thring."
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HOLLY, F. M. GROUP OF 12 TLS, "AUTHOR'S AND PUBLISHER'S REPRESENTATIVE." All of the twelve letters are quarto, most are one page, on Holly's printed letterhead, New York, spanning October 28, 1907 through August 6, 1908. The letters, to "Dear Miss Heath," all concern the publication of 'Henrietta,' discussing possible revisions, feedback from publisher Henry Holt, possible serialization, and English publication. Miss F. M. Holly offers a wealth of advice about potential publication, perhaps most interestingly, about how "Men editors hate to take stories that give their sex away, and the smug American husband does not want his wife to read anything that may make her suspicious of the sterner sex…". Holly calls the story, "cleverly cynical," but doubts its salability. The letters also make references to other writing projects, including 'Delia's Holiday,' 'When Eleanor Was a Little Girl,' and 'The Experimentalist,' and her contributions to 'Scribners' and 'Lippincott's' magazines. Most of the letters maintain an encouraging tone, but ultimately, Holly informs her of Scribner's rejection, but notes that "I am determined to go ahead with the book in the face of this disappointment…". All of the letters are signed, "F. M. Holly." A few of the letters have Holly's ink corrections and annotations; all are folded for mailing, and six retain their original mailing envelopes.
-. Together with the rejection letter mentioned above, from Charles Scribner's Sons, sent to Miss F. M. Holly, and forwarded to Ella Heath. TLS, octavo, two pages (on single sheet), New York, July 31, 1908, on Scriber's printed letterhead. The letter apologizes for the "long delay in considering the manuscript of 'Henrietta,' [but] are unable to make you an offer for its publication…". Signed "Charles Scribner's Sons." Folded for mailing; in original mailing envelope.
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HOLT, Henry. GROUP OF 8 TLS (all of the letters in full, 'Henry Holt'). The letters are all quarto, most are one page, on publisher Henry Holt's printed letterheads (including his personal letterhead, "Fairholt, Burlington, Vermont"), New York City (or Burlington, VT), spanning March 23, 1908 through July 23, 1909. The letters, to "Dear Miss Heath," concern the potential (but unlikely) publication of 'Henrietta,' at times offering encouragement and promise, but ultimately becoming quite adversarial and sarcastic in tone. This was in response to Heath's own demanding and accusatory letters (referenced by Holt, who at one point declares, "Some of your letter reads a good deal like 'Henrietta").
- In the first letter (March 23, 1908), Henry Holt notes, "Three readers fail to be confident that we can publish 'Henrietta' without losing money… [it] is in the shape of so many disjointed items not cooperating toward a common interesting result… virtually a collection of short stories… people have very little taste for…".
- Some of the more scolding and sarcastic passages in Holt's letters include, "Don't be casting any aspersions on my taste… you shouldn't be sarcastic… if you won't fix 'Henrietta' up for me… I can't object to your taking it to another publisher… Some of your letter reads a good deal like 'Henrietta'!".
- In response to a revised draft, he asks, "Do you expect me to read the book thru a second time to find out what changes you have made in it? I hardly think you can have so exaggerated an estimate as that of the time I have to spare… I don't see any prospect of financial success of the book… I should not even care to pay a royalty until I had got my money back…".
- The letters also make references to Heath's health problems ("long protracted illness"), and other potential writing projects, including 'Mr. Willing's Wives,' 'Waste of Worry,'
- Also present is a TLS from Henry Holt's son, Roland, written on his father's behalf, at an early stage of negotiation, regarding potential publication.
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MOORE, George. TLS, quarto, one page, [London], April 30, 1912, to "Dear Madam." The letter from George Moore to Ella Crosby Heath begins, "I find that the copyright of a folk song belongs to him who publishes it first, and as I am apparently the first to publish the song in question the copyright is mine. But I do not think that any good would come of the publication of the verses you send me. They are not bad in themselves, but they are too obvious; the melancholy idea of the music is hammered out in the words… It seems to me that the best words to publish would be a translation of the Irish words… if you succeed in versifying them… I shall be pleased to give you permission… Truly yours, [signed] George Moore." Folded for mailing.
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BENSUSAN, INEZ. ALS, octavo, two pages (on both sides of single sheet), [London], Nov. 3, [1927], to, "Dear Miss Crosby-Heath." The letter begins, "How kind of you to take such trouble over the play…I shall be playing most likely for charity…". In the letter, Bensusan also mentions her work for the Jewish Working Girls' Club and the Stamoell Women's Institute. Ella Crosby Heath's one-act play, 'The Cat and Caroline,' was included in a 1927 production for charity, in London (see below). Folded for mailing; in original mailing envelope. [Inez Bensusan (1871-1967) was born in Sydney, Australia, to a wealthy Jewish family. She worked as an actress in Australia, before moving to London in 1893, where she advocated for woman suffrage. She was a member of the Women's Social and Political Union, and was co-founder of the Actresses' Franchise League, where she working towards the publication of pro-suffragette plays. written and performed by its members, including 'How the Vote was Won' (by Cicely Hamilton) and 'Votes for Women' (by Elizabeth Robins). She also wrote plays, including 'True Womanhood,' 'Nobody's Sweetheart,' and the suffrage film, 'True Womanhood'].
-Programme of Entertainment at Hillcroft Theatre, Surbiton, November 25, 1927… [London]: Hillcroft Theatre, 1927. Original theatre programme for a production for the Greater London Fund for the Blind, including a performance of 'The Cat and Caroline,' a one-act play by Ella Crosby Heath. Octavo, printed self-wrappers, [4] pages (single sheet, folded once).

BENSUSAN, INEZ.
-ALS, octavo, four pages (on both sides of two sheets), [London], Nov. 30, [1927], to, "Dear Miss Crosby-Heath." The letter is about the production of her one-act play, 'The Cat and Caroline.' The letter, octavo, four pages (both sides of two sheets), begins, "You'll be glad to hear that 'The Cat and Caroline (as I have called it) has been a great success…", with details about the production, thanking her for allowing them to include it in their production.
-6 TLS by the Head of the Dramatic Department, at Curtis Brown Ltd (Publisher). The six letters are each quarto, one page, printed letterhead, New York, spanning May 30, 1927 through December 5, 1927. The letters concern the publication of 'The Unruly Member' (a one-act play), in an anthology, published by Appleton & Co., including details about royalties, etc., and mention another title by Heath, 'The Widow and the Wise Woman.' The letters also note two delays in publication (and it is unclear if the play was ever published). The letters are signed by the publisher's representative, "Dramatic Dept.," (but the signature if unclear). Folded for mailing.
-4 TL From "Herrods Limited, Insurance Brokers." The four letters are each quarto (or octavo), one page, on printed letterhead, London, spanning June 3, 1927 through August 20, 1927. The letters concern an insurance policy, and alterations to a coat. Folded for mailing.

Also present are two receipts for membership, and a subscription. to the Poetry Society newsletter (1927).