[Prince Peter Kropotkin.] Latter part of Autograph Letter Signed ('P. Kropotkin' and 'P. K.'), in English, [to Messrs Methuen & Co., publishers] regarding terms for a 'cheap edition' of one of his books ['The Terror in Russia'?].

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn 'MONCKTON'S SUPERFINE' laid paper, with a pin holes through both leaves. The only book by Kropotkin published by Methuen & Co. appears to be 'The Terror in Russia', which went through at least eight editions between 1909 and 1911, but the references to the piracy of works by Kropotkin in the Boston magazine the Youth's Companion may suggest an earlier date, as the magazine was publishing pieces by Kropotkin', presumably without his permission, as early as 1901. The surviving part of the letter begins: 'As to the date of the cheap edition, I propose 3 years. But if it were found by Mess. Methuen impossible, I should accept, though unwillingly, 5 years, as I have accepted it once on another occasion.' After a paragraph discussing the rights of translation Kropotkin continues: 'I expect a speedy reply. The matter has already been allowed to drag too much'. He threatens to 'wire New York to Messrs. MacClure offering them all British rights', adding that he is 'sure they would gladly take them'. He concludes with a paragraph on trade price and discount, signing 'Yours truly | P. Kropotkin'. This is followed by a postscript, reading: 'P. S. I believe you in your assertion that the law has no clause to prevent the traffic which The Youth's Companion is carrying on in its articles. The law surely must not have foreseen such a case, & these gentlemen take their precautions not to have the law against them. - I believe all that. - But if I communicated to you the opinion of a very high authority in English literature, about this sort of traffic, you probably would have found nothing to be proud of in having been a party to it | P. K.'