Sold For $795
*Includes Buyers Premium
ALS, one page, 5.5 x 8.5, personal letterhead, July 20, 1905. Handwritten letter to a "Comrade," in full: "Many thanks for your kind letter. They always help me. The Jungle will be published by the Macmillan Co. early in the fall." In fine condition, with several extra folds to the letter.
Includes an unsigned first edition, first issue of The Jungle. NY: doubleday, Page & Co., 1906. Hardcover bound in the publisher's dark green cloth, 5.25 x 8, 413 pages. First edition points include the number "1" in the date on the copyright page in perfect/unbattered type; "brass buttons" on page 42; and "eight dollars" on page 82. In good to condition, with a lengthy list of names penned on the front pastedown (under the heading, "This copy has been read by the following…"), several affixed clippings inside, some minor losses to endpapers, and heavy wear and rubbing to boards.
Includes an unsigned typed letter from the publisher, in part: "Mr. Upton Sinclair has written and we shall publish in February 'The Jungle,' a novel of life in the Chicago Stock Yards, and altogether the most fearful book was have seen. We refused to publish it until we had sent an able lawyer with some special knowledge of the subject to investigate its overwhelming indictment of existing conditions. He did so, going personally into every matter and talking with the heads of the packing industry as well as with workmen, social settlement workers, expert doctors and bacteriologists and so on. Though he started incredulous, this report said:— 'Sinclair's book 'The Jungle' is true in every material respect. Indeed in several instances I am convinced that he has not by any means told the worst.'"
Notably, Macmillan—along with five other publishers—declined to publish the book, with one of their employees writing: 'I advise without hesitation and unreservedly against the publication of this book which is gloom and horror unrelieved. One feels that what is at the bottom of his fierceness is not nearly so much desire to help the poor as hatred of the rich.' Ultimately, Doubleday, Page agreed to release the book—following an investigation of their own—and it sold 25,000 copies in its first six week in print.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$25.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
