Conrad, Joseph

informing him that, after failing to find Unwin at his office, he is going out of town and asking him "to send me word about my short story and the Cosmo", giving his address as "Stanford-le-hope, Essex", 1 page, 8vo, headed stationery of T. Fisher Unwin, 11 Paternoster Buildings, London, [23 September 1896], docketed on the verso with the date, framed and glazed, torn along right edge where integral blank has been removed, light creasing and staining

Collected Letters, IX, pp.304-5

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This note, written by Conrad after he had been waiting at his publisher's offices, refers to on-going negotiations with the magazine Cosmopolis for the publication rights to his story "An Outpost of Progress". He had demanded the large sum of £50 and had made clear that "I do not want to haggle over the value of my work as if I had been selling a pig at a fair" (Collected Letters, I, p.305). The story appeared in the June/July 1897 issue of the magazine.