To his publisher Maurice Lachâtre

Marx, Karl, philosopher and economist (1818-1883). 4 autograph letters signed.

London, 5 to 28 Nov. 1872.

12mo. 1 p. 8vo. ½ p. 8vo. ¾ p. Oblong 12mo. 1 p.

 750,000.00

Letters from November 1872, to the publisher Maurice Lachâtre, concerning the manuscripts for the ongoing publication of the French edition of "Das Kapital" (1872-75). Marx experiences problems with the postal service and is increasingly impatient with the printer Louis Justin Lahure, who fails to send him copies of the proofs.

I. Accompanying letter to the replacement for a manuscript that has been lost by the French mail, according to an earlier letter: "Ci-inclus la suite du manuscrit 'perdu'; à demain la fin, et du manuscrit de M. Roy que j’avais prêt, c. à d. corrigé. Pourquoi n’ai-je pas encore reçu les dernières épreuves de livr[aisons] 8 et 9 ? Vous les aviez envoyés à Bordeaux où M. Roy n’est pas pour le moment. Mais quoiqu’il est très juste et même dicté par les convenances de lui envoyer des épreuves, cela ne devrait jamais devenir une cause de retard. Les corrections sont faites ici et non par lui. Longuet - qui demeure à Oxford - vous fait saluer [...]" (5 Nov. 1872) ("Enclosed is the continuation of the 'lost' manuscript. Until tomorrow the rest, and the manuscript of M. Roy that I have ready, that is corrected. Why have I not already received the last proofs of the instalments 8 and 9? You sent them to Bordeaux where M. Roy currently is not. But although it is quite correct and even dictated by convention to send him the proofs, this can never become the cause for a delay. The corrections are done here and not by him. Longuet, who stays in Oxford, sends you greetings [...]").

The postscript concerning a possible Italian translation of "Das Kapital" reads: "Je ne sais plus si je vous ai déjà communiqué que deux traducteurs - le général La Cecilia et Bignami (rédacteur de La Plebe à Lodi) se sont offerts pour la traduction italienne" ("I do not remember anymore whether I already communicated to you that two translators - General La Cecilia and Bignami (editor of La Plebe in Lodi) offered themselves for an Italian translation").

II. Concerning further pages of the manuscript and missing proofs: "Je vous envoie aujourd’hui du manuscrit, p. 365-416 (inclus). Veuillez bien m’en accuser réception. Des trois placards (à commencer par 16) que M. Lahure m’a envoyés je n’ai reçu qu’un seul exemplaire, et je regrette d’avoir à répéter toujours de nouveau qu’il me faut deux exemplaires de chaque placard. Il me faut donc envoyer un nouveau exemplaire de chaque placard [...]" (18 Nov. 1872) ("Today I send you pages 365 to 416 (enclosed). Please acknowledge their receipt. Of the three proofs (beginning with 16) that M. Lahure sent me, I have not received but a single copy and I regret that I always must repeat that I need two copies of each proof. Therefore I need to be sent a new copy of each proof [...]").

III. Explaining problems with the English mail in sending the manuscripts: "Il paraît que les agents subalternes de la Poste Anglaise avaient demandé à ma servante un affranchissement 'insuffisant' et qu’ensuite l’administration supérieure nous punit pour les péchés de ses propres gens. J’ai immédiatement arrangé l’affaire et j’espère qu’on expédiera le manuscrit aujourd’hui. J’attends encore - en vain jusqu’ici - l’envoi par M. Lahure d’un second exemplaire des placards 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. Par cela on me fait perdre le temps […]" (23 Nov.) ("It seems that the subordinate employees of the English mail asked my servant for 'insufficient' postage and that, later, the higher echelons punished us for the sins of their own people. I immediately sorted out the affair and I hope that they will dispatch the manuscript today. I am still waiting - so far in vain - for the shipment from M. Lahure of a second copy of the proofs 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. Thus I lose time [...]").

IV. Complaining about the missing proofs: "Je n’ai pas encore reçu le[s] duplicates des placards que vous m’aviez annoncé dans votre dernière lettre. J’espère que vous mettrez fin, une fois pour toutes à ces procédés dilatoires de M. Lahure […]" (28 Nov.) ("I have not yet received the copies of the proofs that you announced to me in your most recent letter. I expect that you will make an end to these dilatory proceedings by M. Lahure once and for all [...]").

All letters with an inventory note and two minuscule holes from stapling. The letter from 23 Nov. with frayed left border (no text loss).

References

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