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#2548: Willa Cather to Robert S. Josephy, [January 1 to February 19, 1923]

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F Dear Mr. Joseffy1:

I'll simply have to insist on seeing foundry proofs3 of the pages of "April Twilights."4 The printers5 mistakes are of such a character that I can't risk it any other way. The most serious errors were not in the galleys6.

Please glance at corrections on pages
  • 12
  • 16
  • 20
  • 35
  • 39
On page 35 the original copy read:
  • Original copy "Covet COVET the gold of Helen's Vanished head"
  • Galley proof COVER '' '' '' '' ''' ''
  • Page proof COVERTI '' '' '' '' '' ''

Poor Helen!

Please have foundry proofs sent to my house7 as soon as possible. I will be away, but Miss Lewis8 will give them to a proof-reader I can trust, who worked for me of on McClure's9.

They will probably say they don't serve foundry proofs to customers; but they can do it, without trouble, and I'll make no corrections except as regards technical matters—omission of words etc.

I understand I am to autograph the first 450 copies: Well, just tell them I won't autograph one copy of a book of nonsense-rhymes. So, you see, we have them: They ought to be ashamed of such careless work.

"Hastily" (in every sense) Willa Cather

Foundry proofs, tell them. I'm paying twenty-five dollars to have them read properly. They will be held up only a few days.