Charles Dickens Letter to Edward Chapman his Publisher. Original autograph letter to publisher Edward Chapman, encouraging him to accept a manuscript by another author, written and signed with a flourish by Charles Dickens. From the collection of Thomas Guinzburg, the president of Viking Press. The autograph letter reads: "Devonshire Terrace. Twenty-eighth June 1849. Dear Sir, I have a manuscript in my possession-written by a man who is known in literature which will make a cute book of about 150 pages. The idea is perfectly new, I will confess (for I have read it) and extremely well treated. The foundation of the story (with an excellent title) is the illustration of certain simple truths in natural history, and it suggests, to people young and all, a variety of pleasant and instructive considerations. I have no doubt whatever that it is a meritorious performance; and, if I were a publisher, I should be very sanguine of its success. With judicious treatment, I really believe it might sell for some time. I have promised the author my best endeavours to call attention to this piece, and I am in a condition to dispose of it. I want fifty pounds down, but I have not the least idea of giving a hard bargain, and getting that, irrevocably, and not putting the copyright out of the author's power, in the case of the publisher being well paid, would consent to any reasonable arrangement whatever. If you think that supposing your opinion approached near to mine-you would take such a work on such a Owens, or I would tell you condition, you shall have the manuscript to read. It is dedicated to beforehand exactly what the idea is, and so give you another means of forming a judgement as to the expediency of entertaining the scheme. But time presses and I want to get the business off my hands. All that I have said of the thing, I am perfectly convinced it deserved. I have a very strong belief that it would be an extremely creditable undertaking, with a good sound prospect of success. Faithfully yours, Charles Dickens. [To:] Edward Chapman, Esquire. Size: 9 1/2 x 7 in.