JOHN WILSON & SON.

As soon as we had arrived at a clearer idea of our desires, and also of our means, I again communicated with Messrs. Wilson & Son, and received the following reply: 

CAMBRIDGE, April 4th, 1889.

Dear Sir:—­After much delay we have succeeded in finding a paper manufacturer in Massachusetts (the only one in America) who has just commenced making a paper similar to that used in “Riley’s Old-Fashioned Roses” (printed on English hand-made paper which I had sent them).  To-morrow we shall send you a specimen (printed), also a specimen of another paper which we used some time ago on an edition de luxe of “Memorials of Canterbury” and of Westminster Abbey for Randolph & Co., of New York.  No. 1 is a hand-made paper 16 x 20/28, at 60c. a lb.; No. 2, a machine made 20 x 22/60 at 20c. a lb.

ESTIMATE No. 1.

For comp. and electro (say 500 pages in the
two vols.) about $400.00

For 8 boxes for plates, 75 cts. 6.00

For 250 copies presswork (2 vols.), 66 forms,
  $1.50 99.00

For Paper, 16 x 20/28, 20 reams, $16.80 336.00

For Binding 250 copies, 500 (2 vols.) 25c. 
Parchment back and corners 125.00

For Dies, say                             10.00
______
$976.00

Alterations from copy, 50 cts. an hour. (The estimate on No. 2 paper was $727.00.)

We return “Riley.”  Both of these papers have the rough, or deckle, edge.

We are anxious to make this book in the best style, and of American materials if possible.

Respectfully yours,

JOHN WILSON & SON.

Three things in estimate No. 1 caught Field’s fancy—­yea, four; the paper was to be hand made, deckle edge, of American manufacture, but, above all, sixty cents a pound.  As a contrast to the stiff bleached Manila of “Culture’s Garland,” dear at a cent a pound, this sixty cents a pound decided Field in favor of No. 1, though we had to economize on everything else to get the job done within the $1,100 we had in bank before we gave the order.  The No. 2, having a softer surface, would have given us a better printed page, and its cost would have enabled us to embellish the edition with a steel-plate engraving of Field, as had been our intention, but the thought of using the most expensive American paper procurable for his “Little Books” outweighed every other consideration, and we forwarded the copy of the two volumes to John Wilson & Son, with orders to go ahead and push publication.

It was well into the middle of the fall when I received the following note from the printers, showing that the work had been completed: 

University Press,
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., October 19th, 1889.

SLASON THOMPSON, ESQ.

DEAR SIR:  Herewith please find our bill for printing and binding Profitable Tales and Western Verse.