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Charles Dickens and his Publishers
In considering the whole range of Dickens's relations with his English and foreign publishers, Professor Patten relates the story of the novelist's social encounters, violent breaches, and uneasy alliances with John Macrone, Richard Bentley, Edward and Frederic Chapman, William Hall, Berhard Tauchinz, William Bradbury, F M Evans, and his American publishers in a compelling record of personal and professional associations. Private drama is subordinated to a narrative of 'a very special kind of venture'.
Drawing extensively on the hitherto unpublished accounts rendered to Dickens by Bradbury and Evans, and Chapman and Hall every six months from 1846, Robert Patten traces the fluctuating fortunes of each of the books, from 'Sketches by Boz' to 'Edwin Drood'.
He shows how Dickens took advantage of developments in the law, popular literacy, and the new techniques of publishing through the periodical issue of his writings, and through four widely-circulated reprint series that vastly extended the market for his work.
He identifies the sources and size of Dickens's income, comparing it to that of his contemporaries; and the costs and sales, the printing history, and the profits and losses on all books where Dickens shared copyright are set out in detail in four appendices.
The study skilfully establishes that the conditions of publishing had much to do with the shape and success of Dickens's career.
Drawing extensively on the hitherto unpublished accounts rendered to Dickens by Bradbury and Evans, and Chapman and Hall every six months from 1846, Robert Patten traces the fluctuating fortunes of each of the books, from 'Sketches by Boz' to 'Edwin Drood'.
He shows how Dickens took advantage of developments in the law, popular literacy, and the new techniques of publishing through the periodical issue of his writings, and through four widely-circulated reprint series that vastly extended the market for his work.
He identifies the sources and size of Dickens's income, comparing it to that of his contemporaries; and the costs and sales, the printing history, and the profits and losses on all books where Dickens shared copyright are set out in detail in four appendices.
The study skilfully establishes that the conditions of publishing had much to do with the shape and success of Dickens's career.
502 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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About the author
Robert L. Patten
30 booksRobert L. Patten is the Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Humanities at Rice University.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 5, 2013
Robert Patten traces Dickens' career from 'Sketches by Boz' to 'Edwin Drood' through his various publishers, who often had Hard Times (sorry, couldn't resist it) with the author, who was very demanding in his desires.
Dickens began his relations with publishers in a very civil manner as he was just beginning to climb the ladder of success but he soon realised that if he did not keep a close eye on what was happening, and more importantly, make more demands on those responsible for putting out his works, they would always be making considerably more money than he did.
Consequently his dealing with his publishers became much more hard edged and as he became more successful he had no compunction in telling them exactly what he wanted and expected and if he did not get it, complaining beitterly or, at worst, changing to another publishing house. In addition he was always wary about overseas' publishers who could often pirate his editions without any payment. He campaigned, eventually successfully, to have this changed.
The author has meticulously researched Chapman and Hall and Bradbury and Evans account books and very cleverly interpreted the sales figures and amounts of money involved into a most readable account of Dickens' dealings with these people. In additin he has provided a number of appendices that outline sales figures and money received with profits to both parties spelt out.
It all makes for interesting reading but it is not a book for the faint-hearted because the plethora of figures (and understanding the interpretation of them) could easily be off-putting ... but please stick at it, it is well worth it.
Dickens began his relations with publishers in a very civil manner as he was just beginning to climb the ladder of success but he soon realised that if he did not keep a close eye on what was happening, and more importantly, make more demands on those responsible for putting out his works, they would always be making considerably more money than he did.
Consequently his dealing with his publishers became much more hard edged and as he became more successful he had no compunction in telling them exactly what he wanted and expected and if he did not get it, complaining beitterly or, at worst, changing to another publishing house. In addition he was always wary about overseas' publishers who could often pirate his editions without any payment. He campaigned, eventually successfully, to have this changed.
The author has meticulously researched Chapman and Hall and Bradbury and Evans account books and very cleverly interpreted the sales figures and amounts of money involved into a most readable account of Dickens' dealings with these people. In additin he has provided a number of appendices that outline sales figures and money received with profits to both parties spelt out.
It all makes for interesting reading but it is not a book for the faint-hearted because the plethora of figures (and understanding the interpretation of them) could easily be off-putting ... but please stick at it, it is well worth it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review