GE to John Blackwood, London, 22 February 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 22 February 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 22 February 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1862-02-22
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 22 February 1862
Text: William Blackwood, II, 447.
February 22nd, '62.
I cannot be quite easy without expressing to you the difficulty I feel in understanding the mode in which the advertising of my books is managed. I have no doubt Mr. Simpson regulates the advertisements according to the system he regards as best for our common interests; but it would be well that he should have under his consideration a few facts which have come under our experience, and which indicate that to the majority of readers the fact of my books having entered a new edition remains quite a secret. Very various people, all in a condition to be apprised of literary matters, have within the last few weeks and days manifested entire ignorance of the fact either by inquiries or by expressions of surprise; and others who were anxiously looking for a notice that the cheaper edition of [Adam Bede] was come out, were still not aware that it was so. The appearance of an advertisement in a list is passed over as probably nothing more than the ordinary presentation of the old edition. 30 I think you have seen enough of me to know that I do not willingly obtrude my opinion on business matters, and you will prefer that I should say at once what I cannot help dwelling on a little mentally rather than retain a sense of puzzled dissatisfaction about it. For example, I ask in wonder why, if the [Mill on the Floss] is to appear at the beginning of next month, any announcement is not inserted in this week's papers?
If you will consider this and point out my difficulty to Mr. Simpson, I shall be much obliged.
Text: William Blackwood, II, 447.
February 22nd, '62.
I cannot be quite easy without expressing to you the difficulty I feel in understanding the mode in which the advertising of my books is managed. I have no doubt Mr. Simpson regulates the advertisements according to the system he regards as best for our common interests; but it would be well that he should have under his consideration a few facts which have come under our experience, and which indicate that to the majority of readers the fact of my books having entered a new edition remains quite a secret. Very various people, all in a condition to be apprised of literary matters, have within the last few weeks and days manifested entire ignorance of the fact either by inquiries or by expressions of surprise; and others who were anxiously looking for a notice that the cheaper edition of [Adam Bede] was come out, were still not aware that it was so. The appearance of an advertisement in a list is passed over as probably nothing more than the ordinary presentation of the old edition. 30 I think you have seen enough of me to know that I do not willingly obtrude my opinion on business matters, and you will prefer that I should say at once what I cannot help dwelling on a little mentally rather than retain a sense of puzzled dissatisfaction about it. For example, I ask in wonder why, if the [Mill on the Floss] is to appear at the beginning of next month, any announcement is not inserted in this week's papers?
If you will consider this and point out my difficulty to Mr. Simpson, I shall be much obliged.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 22 February 1862, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/92644