On this day... Feb 28th 1894

Personal signed copy from Crockett to his agent A.P.Watt

 Feb 28 1894.
Crockett receives his first author copy of The Raiders which is due to be published in March. This follows a period of several months of proofing back and forth with his publisher, detailed in a series of letters. There was quite a lot of press interest in the publication throughout February. In a letter to his publisher, T.Fisher Unwin, Crockett requests for author copies to be sent to various contacts. It’s an interesting list.

Feb 28th
Dear Unwin,
As I said in my telegram, I heartily congratulate you one the format of the book. I do not see a single possible improvement except omission of the list of publications at the end, which being printed for a larger publication is cut into the margin and looks out of keeping with the book. Otherwise the printing, paper, binding of the book, are all that I could wish. You have most certainly done your part admirably, and I am grateful for your great care.
The book opens nicely, which is to my mind the be-all of good binding and it is very agreeable to handle. I asked you to send me another copy for Dr Whyte, who is not a critic but my very dear friend of many years. You would probably send it yesterday… if not you might do so at once. I am going to Edinburgh to see him on Friday and I should like to take him a copy as Dedicatee.
It is very generous of you to suggest that I should send a list of reviews, critics etc. You are so judicious with your own sending that if you send somewhat liberally to the Scottish Local papers, of which Wylie has a better knowledge than I (and of which you can get a list from W) that would be for Scotland. I do not know many critics which makes the Stickit criticisms the more remarkable.
But you might send copies, with, I think, advantage to:

1. Robert Louis Stevenson, Esq Vailima, Samoa
2. Andrew Lang Esq – Directory or at Saville Club and Care of Longmans
3. Richard de Gallienne Esq – Directory or Authors club
4. James M. Barrie Esq Kirriemuir N.B
5. Robert Mcclure Esq, 33 Bedford Street Covent Garden
6. Barry Pain Esq, v Directory or Authors Club
7. And early copy to the Daily chronicle would do good. They gave me a great lift last time.
8. D.R. Somerville Esq Christian Leader Office, Glasgow
9. Editor at Dumfries Standard, Dumfries N.B.
10. Editor at Dumfries Herald, Dumfries N.B.
11. J.H.Maxwell Esq, Kirkcudbrighshire ‘advertiser’ Castle Douglas N.B.
12. Rev W. I Dawson, Ed Young Man
13. T.A Atkins Esq, Ed young Woman 2 amen Corner E.C
14. Frank George esq 8 Randall Road, Clifton, Bristol
15. Robert Wildgoods esq, The Gables, Matlock, Derby

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