The publication of collected poems, 1934

Component identifier:

Item 71

Content Summary:

Correspondence between Shaw Neilson, Mrs Constance Robertson, and The Lothian Publishing Company Pty. Ltd. of Melbourne.

In May 1933 The Lothian Company wrote to Shaw Neilson offering to publish a collected edition of his poems. The poet referred the company to Mrs Constance Robertson. They wrote to Mrs Robertson, stating that they had been informed by Neilson that the copyright "of the whole of his poetical works" was held by the late A.G. Stephens. Negotiations for the publication of the book began upon this basis.

The letters record the discussions in part. All are written to Mrs Robertson. There are 11 letters (46pp) from Neilson, and 13 letters (17pp) from the Company. Some copies of Mrs Robertson's replies are also included.

Neilson's side of the correspondence was mainly about copyrights and the poems to be selected for inclusion in the book. He was most anxious to ensure that only verse approved by himself would appear in the book and that his light verse be excluded. The 10% royalty upon the book was to be divided equally between Mrs Robertson and himself.

Despite the poor sales of Neilson's previous books, he insisted upon, and obtained a clause in the agreement increasing the royalty, after the sale of 5,000 copies, to 15%, and a provision that if sales exceeded 10,000 then two-thirds of this royalty was to be paid to him and one-third to Mrs Robertson. The publishers did not share his optimism, for in agreeing to the clause they wrote to Mrs Robertson that they would be more than pleased if the sales reached even half of the first figure. They were correct, of course. A limited de luxe edition of 55 signed copies (large paper) sold out almost immediately: the ordinary edition of 1,000 copies sold very slowly.

All the letters are tipped into half-leather album, together with other relevant material.

Names:

John Shaw Neilson

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