Marx, Karl, philosopher and economist (1818-1883). Autograph letter signed.

London, 1. V. 1872.

8vo. 1¼ pp. on bifolium.

 320.000,00

To the publisher Maurice Lachâtre concerning the French translator of "Das Kapital" Joseph Roy, the publication of the second German edition of "Das Kapital", and the Russian translation of the first edition, a possible reissue of Marx's early text "The Poverty of Philosophy", and the poor health of his grandson Étienne Lafargue: "Vous vous trompez! Monsieur Roy est français. Il a été (mais quand il était déjà un homme fait) pendant quelques années en Allemagne. Il traduit trop litéralement dans les passages faciles, mais il montre sa force dans les choses difficiles. Néanmoins, vos corrections me serviront toujours comme des matériaux utiles pour la correction définitive. La première livraison de la dernière édition allemande (le libraire allemand vous a imité en acceptant pour la dernière édition la forme de livraison) paraîtra probablement pendant la semaine suivante. J'ai reçu de St. Petersburgh la traduction russe (d'après la première édition). Elle est excellente. Le livre a dû passer par la censure, mais la censure n’a rien rayé excepté mon portrait. Néanmoins, comme il y a dans le livre des attaques contre la Russie, l’éditeur russe n’est pas encore en dehors de tout danger. Pour la dernière correction j'ai ici l’assistance de Longuet, Vaillant, Lissagaray et autres communards compétents. Vos nouvelles politiques m’intéressent beaucoup et vous m'obligerez beaucoup en les continuant. À propos. Un libraire français (de Paris) - tout en me demandant de ne pas le nommer - m’a offert de republier mon livre (français) contre Proudhon: Misère de la Philosophie. Réponse à la Philosophie de la Misère de M. Proudhon. Bruxelles et Paris 1847. L’édition est complètement épuisée. J’ai des mauvaises nouvelles de Madrid sur l’état de santé du petit Lafargue [...]".

("You are mistaken! Mr Roy is French. He spent (but when he was already a grown man) some years in Germany. He translates simple passages too literally but shows his strengths when it comes to more difficult things. Nevertheless, your corrections will always serve me as useful material for the final correction. The first instalment of the latest German edition (the German publisher is imitating you by accepting the mode of instalments for the latest edition) will probably appear during the next week. I have received from St. Petersburg the Russian translation (off the first edition). It is excellent. The books had to pass censorship but the censors haven't effaced anything except my portrait. Nevertheless, since there are attacks on Russia in the book, the Russian editor is not yet fully out of danger. For the last correction I have here the assistance of Longuet, Vaillant, Lissagaray and other competent members of the Commune. By the way. A French publisher (from Paris) - who asked me not to mention his name - offered me to reissue my book (French) against Proudhon: The Poverty of Philosophy. A reply to 'The Philosophy of Poverty' of M. Proudhon. Brussels and Paris 1847. This edition is completely sold out. I have bad news from Madrid concerning the health condition of the little Lafargue [...]").

Nine hundred copies of the Russian translation of "Das Kapital" were published in 1872 and, to Marx's surprise, quickly sold out. A French re-edition of "The Poverty of Philosophy" did not come forward during Marx's lifetime. Like his two siblings, Étienne Lafargue, the son of Paul Lafargue and Karl Marx's second daughter Laura, did not reach adulthood but died at the age of four in Madrid in May 1872.

Slightly creased.

Literatur

Not in: Marx/Engels, Werke vol. 33 (Briefe Juli 1870 - Dezember 1874).