Twelve Autograph Letters Signed to W.M. Colles, Literary Agent.

Novelist and editor Chambers Journal, Cornhill Magagzine (1883-1896), 1830-1898 (see DNB). Total 17 pages, 8vo, some letters dated by another hand (Colles?), on most Payn has put day and month but no year. A difficult hand. Subjects include: Australian mail; agreement with Tillotson (syndication); rights for Austrlia and India for something, "the neighbourhood of Sheffield would be the only forbidden ground"; "we must not dun Mr C"; "still reading [Norris'?] book; it is rather thin - . .. it has no plot"; invite him to send a story [?] straightaway, saying he likes a new author; discusses arrangement about "Table Talk", Newsvendors Annual (separate note in another hand says they are to be written to); illness; "overprovided with (double-barrelled fiction"; he has no objection to readin Maartens' story; he would be happy if Colles got £20 for one of his stories (i.e. he is editor plus client); suggests approach to "Good Words" for his new serial; describes plot of new novel ("In Market Overt"), upwards of 100,000 words; royalties; an offer; a story will not suit the Cornhill, "the reference to the wild west show is not in my opinion [?] to recommend the work". Eight items,