On the Publishing of
Progress & Poverty

Henry George

[A letter to John Swinton, Esq., sent from San Francisco, 14 November, 1879]

I have received a letter from Appleton's saying that my plates have been received -- they took about three weeks longer to get there than I thought -- and would be at once printed. So at last I feel sure of getting the book published, and possibly it may be out before this reaches you. This is a very great relief to me. I was from the first apprehensive about finding a publisher, and Somers brought to me a message from you, as to the difficulties, that was anything but encouraging. Turning aside from everything else, I worked hard and faithfully to get the book through, only to feel when the writing had been finished that I was but on the threshold of the real difficulty. When in spite of your brother's efforts I could get no publisher with the M.S., I had to go to work on an uncertainty and make the plates. To do this I had to stop the little paper I had started, of which I sent you copies. The subscription idea which you suggest occurred to me. But to do that requires a personal solicitation which I shrink from and could not do even if I attempted it. And you must remember that men who think and feel as you and I do get small sympathy except from those who have nothing but their sympathy to give -- and not over much of that. But when I made the plates, which I had to do on credit, I printed something over 400 copies, thinking to sell what I could in order to help pay for the plates. I have sold 175 at $3 each. This, considering I have not gone around soliciting, or permitted any newspaper mention, is a great deal, and lightens the cost, although there is still in my present circumstances a very uncomfortable debt.

I send you with this two copies. In one of them I have written Mr. Dana's name. If you think he would care for it, give it to him. If not, tear out the leaf and give it to someone else who would. And so with the other copy.

Of the ultimate success of the book I feel confident. Its immediate success depends -- very much on its reception by the press. Whether it is praised or denounced makes little difference, if it is noticed as a noticeable book. Otherwise the classes in whose hands I want to get it will be a long while in finding it out. It is probably in your power to aid me in this by a word here or there. I think Appleton's have a good expectation of the book and are likely to do all publishers are apt to do for the work of an unknown author. If you can give them any suggestions, I wish you would do so if convenient. John Russell Young, who is a friend of mine, carried away a copy from here, and I think he or Nordhoff, to whom Appleton's wrote me they had given a book, will probably review it for the Herald.

I told you that your letter came to me like a bird of good omen. And so it has seemed. And I want to say to you again how much your appreciation and sympathy has cheered me. There is very much I would like to say, and very much I would like to ask you, but I know your occupation must make much correspondence Impossible.

Yours sincerely

Henry George