ROBERT M. MCBRIDE & COMPANY
Publishers

200 EAST 37TH STREET
NEW YORK 16

CABLE ADDRESS
BRIDECO, N.Y.

TRAVEL

Published
Monthly

January 5, 1949

Mr. Vardis Fisher
Hagerman
Idaho

Dear Vardis:

As you can see,I have a new publish-
ing connection and, of course, I am looking for
good books for our coming lists. I know there
is no chance of getting you, having touched on
the subject with Alan Collins when I was at
Dutton. At any rate,you are probably better
off with Henle if he continues to believe in
your work and sticks by you as he did by Jim
Farrell. If, however, you know of anyone whose
work might interest me I would greatly appreciate
being tipped off. I am afraid I shall not get
West this year which is too bad because I have a
very warm memory of your hand-built house on its
hill with the lake below and the hundred waterfalls
gushing from the mountain-side beyond--of the
whole strange and beautiful country.

Every happiness for the New Year to
you both.

Fred T. Marsh
Editor

FTM:cp

CABLE ADDRESS
BRIDECO, N.Y.

MEDILL
ROBERT M. MCBRIDE & COMPANY
Publishers

TRAVEL

Published
Monthly

September 26, 1949

Mr. Vardis Fisher
Hagerman, Idaho

Dear Vardis:

The McBride firm has started up again, under its
new name, and we are in full swing on a sound
basis.

I have been in a state of suspense as to where I
would be this fall; whether with McBride or an-
other house or on my farm, and for that reason
had put off answering your last letter, hoping
I would have something definite to tell you.

Probably by now you have found a publisher for
your books. If not, I shall be very glad to
recommend them for us - this in the light of what
I have written you before. In any case, I'd like
very much to read the completed manuscripts. You
suggested sending them on to me if they were re-
turned by other publishers. It goes without
saying that I would like to see any of your work
at any time.

Do let me hear from you.

FTM:aa

CABLE ADDRESS
BRIDECO, N. Y.

MEDILL McBRIDE COMPANY
---
ROBERT M. McBRIDE & COMPANY
Publishers

200 EAST 37TH STREET
NEW YORK 16, N. Y.
M'Urray Hill 4-2630

TRAVEL

Published
Monthly

January 4, 1950

Dear Vardis:

There have been a good many disruptions owing to the fact that Mr. McBride was in England most of December and has just returned with a whole new list of English books which we are considering as rapidly as possible. I'd like more than anything else to talk with you at first hand so that you could get the full situation, both for your sake and for ours. I cannot give you a favorable reply until we get through the agony of our spring list. And I am coming increasingly doubtful that I can give you one at all until considerably later on.

I can't tell you how disappointed I am because of this. It is a question that does not involve the merit of your work but many other features in relation to the organization and functioning of this firm over its initial stages.

If you do decide to come to New York in January I should be more than pleased if you would call me up very soon after your arrival. I know all the agents in New York, most of them quite well, and I know how they conduct their business and the kind of work that interests them. I hope you will reserve an early evening at your arrival to have dinner with Lydia and me.

My best wishes to you and Opal for the New Year.

FTM:aa

ABELARD PRESS inc.

381 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

MURRAY HILL 6-2510 CABLE: ABELARD NEW YORK

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

April 28th, 1950

Dear Vardis:

This is just to tell you that I have received your letter, and that just as soon as I can get together with Lew we will discuss the whole problem, but in the meantime I wish you would send me on the twelve titles, with notations after each such as, "Published", "Copy in MS Form", "Rough Draft Available", etc.

I want to get a perspective of the whole from a fresh point of view in my own mind. Then I should like to have the MSS of the SOLOMON, ISLAND OF THE INNOCENT and SING YE HEAVENS. I have high hopes that we can get together and bring your TESTAMENT OF MAN to a triumphant conclusion.

At present I am heavily burdened with getting out our catalogue and jacket copy and other promotional work for our fall list. Frankly, I think it pretty difficult, at this late hour, to get SOLOMON on the fall list, since the salesmen have to have something to go on by the end of June, and since we have already taken on perhaps more ventures than we should have. There is a sheer physical limit to what we can do with our limited staff and bottleneck problems for our first full season list—over twenty books as it stands now.

Naturally, if things go well with all of us, I'd like to get your first book in ahead of one or another of our other titles, but, as I say, I can't promise.

More anon.

FTM:gg

ABELARD PRESS inc.

381 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

22 June, 1950

Dear Vardis:

Just a note in reply to yours to tell you that I haven't written you yet, but to let you know that we shall make you an offer through Allan Collins for SOLOMON as soon as I can get the parties together; that we are enthusiastic as to the future of your books with us, and that we propose to continue with the series, and feature you, your past work, and the series as a whole, in our promotion and advertising.

I think you will find the terms agreed upon among us fair for the first book. No more for now as this is in advance of formal and fully explanatory explanation. No editorial problems of any significance will arise. Patience. You will hear from both Collins and me very soon.

I am sending you a copy of our catalogue for this year—a factor which accounts for delay (in a first-year house) in considering 1951 problems. Your book will be the first contracted for, (Jan 1951) although several others are on the agenda.

Ever thine,

FTM:gg

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

27 July, 1950

Dear Vardis:

At this time, and until our new publishing house gets firmly underway, and until SOLOMON has appeared, we do not feel that we can embark upon the project of taking over the earlier works of your series--a matter about which I have already spoken to Henle. That is, however, something we have in mind for the future, as the new volumes of your series reach the wider audience which we hope to obtain for them.

As I wrote you, SOLOMON is scheduled for spring publication, and it is our intention to follow it up with THE ISLAND OF THE INNOCENT in the fall, and to continue the series, for which we plan steadily-mounting critical and expanding reader interest.

For the same reason, we have decided that we cannot undertake to publish at this time THE WRITING OF FICTION, which I am returning to Alan Collins. I have enjoyed reading it immensely, and think it an extraordinary foray into the essay field as to its opening, and certainly an original and unusual piece of work throughout. From our point of view, however, it seems wiser to concentrate on the novels, and to bring this out somewhere along the way, after these have achieved the general success they deserve. I quite realize that somebody else may decide to publish this work before then, but we shall have to take our chance on that.

I have greatly appreciated your warm and friendly letters, and you may be sure that the sentiments you express are reciprocated to the full.

FTM:gg

P.S.--The contract for SOLOMON, together with advance, will be forthcoming as soon as Mr. Schwartz, who has been away, returns.

cc: Alan Collins

ABELARD PRESS inc.

11 September, 1950

Dear Vardis:

This is just a note to thank you for your
letter in re Jim Gipson's proposal to us.
We have some tie-up with Gipson still under
consideration, and you will, of course, be
informed of any steps we take.

I am returning to Alan Collins SING YE
HEAVENS, for the time being, in accordance
with your letter. I remember you told me
you wanted to revise it, and we will
probably not get to it next year, at any
rate.

You will be hearing a good deal from me
very shortly. At the moment, we are in the
throes of getting out our fall books and
publicizing them.

My best to you and Opal.

FTM:gg

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

October 18, 1950

Dear Vardis:

We are in the throes of getting out our Fall List which as you know is our first full list and from which we are hoping a good deal. As soon as that work is over I'll take up your Solomon for the first of the new books of our Spring List. I should consider it and treat it as the most distinguished on that list--you do not need to tell this to any of the authors but you can tell anybody else. It will be a well done book and we will have more done on it than we had this fall when I got in a rush of material which put us a little over our head for the time being. Our Spring List will be smaller and I think may be more successful with your Solomon starting it.

I do not bear comparison to Max Perkins as an editor, perhaps because I started late and am still learning. I knew Perkins and he was always my beau ideal of editing. One thing we did have in common which I have always put into my format and that was this--the author is always right unless you can catch him out to be wrong. More manuscripts have been hacked to pieces by being read by people who thought they could write than by having them stand as they were. I have seen it done many times. And that kind of editor is generally the kind of guy who thinks he is practically author of the book before he gets through.

I do have considerable to say about the third volume that I want to talk about with you just as soon as I get the Solomon out of the way, and something about the second. The Solomon itself, however, will require very little labor on my part except to read it over again and check up once again the two or three instances where as editor (not copy reader--although I do a good deal of that along the way) might have something to say.

The only one I can think of right off hand is that fact that you have been as I remember, Solomon killed upon the altar although the texts in Kings say that it was necessary to drag his brother away from the altar before the assassins could

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

4th November, 1950

Dear Vardis:

I am going to be writing you at length pretty soon, and I am
asking you to be patient. I haven't written Mr. Gipson since
the various proposals he offers are strictly matters of business,
and I have referred the details to Mr. Schwartz, along with my
recommendations.

What I want from you right now is anything you would like to
have added to the jacket copy, so that we may start in as early
as possible to work out the promotion scheme and plans. Say
anything you like, quite informally, and you will have to allow
us here to decide on the jacket we are going to give to "Solomon."
In general, however, we follow the author's suggestions as much
as possible.

If you want to enclose any photographs, whether review, or of
you and Opal, or of your house, out of which we might choose
something for the back of the jacket, in giving you a biographical
sketch for the interest of the readers, send them along too.

If you don't wish to bother with all this, I know enough about
you, and we have enough from your other jackets, to get along
o.k. However, I would like to have a list of all of your books
which have been previously published.

Don't worry about Solomon and Adonijah--I'll give you my ideas on
this when I begin sending in the few editorial suggestions I
shall have to make. I do think, however, that there is no point
in departing from the record of Kings unless you have good,
authentic reason for doing so. I think that, insofar as the
routine historicity goes, you should follow the Bible story, and
depart from it only when you wish to do so deliberately, for
reasons of your own, or when your imagination leaves the record
in order to create the first great modern monarch of the desert
tribes. I shall not interfere with your interpretation in the
slightest, beyond such suggestions as this.

-1-

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

6th December, 1950

Dear Vardis:

I have just finished a very careful re-reading of THE VALLEY OF VISION, and am tremendously impressed by it. I have made practically no editorial changes. I took out the sentence on page 58 about "erotic zones," and please do not object. The words are out of place; you have avoided such technical jargon throughout; they stick out like a sore thumb. The whole sentence is unnecessary here; surely the sensuous and sensual sides of the young Oriental monarch have been fully explored without the sentence. It is a fine page except for that one sentence. The few other cuts were solely on the ground of redundancy--phrases that took the edge off a shining paragraph, or seemed intended (unconsciously, of course) to show off erudition. You'll see the proofs.

We plan your book to lead off our spring list, and we must get to press fast now, having thus far been held up by getting out our first fall list.

I have the following suggestions to make. Will you answer as soon as possible? Yours will be the last word on these. I merely want to draw your attention to a few things.

1. Must we put in the acknowledgment to the librarians? There is enough front matter with your dedication to "Four great teachers," the quotation from Rank and the rather long exegetical Author's Note. Then with the notes at the end we have perhaps too much scholarly paraphernalia. Perhaps you can save the librarians for the next book.

2. I am in favor of the Author's Note--as giving the approach of true seriousness to so controversial a novel. But could you condense this? I think it impressive to the general reader up to a point, but if you could minimize the parade of scholarship and names the general reader never heard of, and make the Author's Note just a bit more general and graceful, I think it would attract them more, without losing the sense of dignity and authority. If the three books you have offered us become successful (though controversial) you will have the opportunity to defend them in quarterly articles or elsewhere.

3. If you say so, the version of the slaying of Adonijah will remain as stands. I still think (and we have written about this before) that it is the one thing that would be picked up most quickly. Besides, I think it is a stronger point to make that he was wrested from the altar in order to be slain--unlawful, too, but a typical theocratic evasion. Would you be able and willing to revise this (pp32 on) by changing a couple of sentences? Heretofore you had been following Kings with

-1-

ABELARD PRESS inc.

December 21, 1950

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

Dear Vardis:

This is a supplementary letter to the one I wrote this morn-
ing--your revisions of the "Author's Note" and "Notes" having
just arrived.

Please consider these points:

1) The body of the work is now ready to go to press. I made only a very few minor changes (like erogenous zones) and you agreed. The press reader's notes were few and submitted to you. We are accepting your comments on those with full understanding. No controversy here; and you'll get galleys to check up on these matters. We are going ahead with that anyway.

2) In addition to such editing, I had some suggestions to make. Those suggestions were not (as explicitly stated) a demand by us upon you. They were intended to call to your attention my own feelings about outside paraphernalia with regard to the superior reader (reviewer or not). I felt the Author's Note, in that respect, did not make a good preface. Maybe it would intrigue a great many in the more or less specialized fields. But I thought it would drive off many intelligent laymen not especially concerned with the research, but interested in a Life of King Solomon by anyone and, in some cases, particularly by Vardis Fisher.

3) With the "Notes" my only feeling was that they were over-
extended. Simply because forty to fifty pages of notes at the
end of a novel is extraordinarily unusual.

4) It may be that just as Shaw was famous for his prefaces, Vardis Fisher may become famous for his "Notes." At any rate we cannot use the revised copy of your notes. We have not the facilities to re-type them and straighten them out. Since they are the same as your original notes--except cut to no particular advantage, we shall use the original "Author's Notes" and "Notes" in the back. We are not sufficiently high-geared to work the whole thing out with the forthcoming brackets, etc.

5) I had thought you might do a general Preface, very short, for general readers; and then in the Notes at the end, using the same form, explain, without argument (which is implicit) terms, usages, etc. etc. in a simplicity which nevertheless carried weight.

- 2 -

6) I am returning all the material on these Notes. We'll accept the original. Perhaps we'd better leave it so. You don't have to move so fast that we get copy we can't handle. Please do what you think is best. The original needs no revision or editorial changes. It boils down to the point as to whether you want that *Original*. Or want to switch to a more simple approach in *Forward* and in *Notes*--and I don't mean mollifying anybody. If you say no, it will be O.K. If you suddenly see it differently, then you should devote yourself to the different pattern and get it in to us as soon as you can--but without sacrifice to quality. We'll be going on with the novel proper. Above all don't do anything you don't want to do and can't feel in your heart to do. All this is suggestive. The decision is up to you. You answer "stet" and we'll go on as it was. You say I need some time for changing (not cutting) and that's O.K. But the revision should be a whole change in approach. Otherwise let's let it go in as it is.

FTM:rg
enc

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

December 21, 1950

See supplementary, superseding
this, enclosed.

Dear Vardis:

I have your letters of December 12th and 15th and I am ans-
wering them point by point while going through them again.

1) As to the Author's Note: what I had intended in regard to this was that it should appear in the front with different kind of type. If it is intended to go in the back just before the Notes I did not think it needed to be changed. It seemed to me, however, that it was interesting to the general reader if made into a more general preface. I can't make specific editing of this since it is excellent as it stands if you want it in the back. I had only the belief that it was too specialized for an opening preface at the length you gave it. Some of the learning was interesting enough for the general reader but as a whole I merely thought it too heavy for him. We do not have to have this preface and I can put the Author's Notes in the back.

2) We have received the page for Mr. Rabin so that the body of the manuscript is now complete so far as we are concerned. We have not received the revised pages. Is it all right to put that in the front as I should like to have it that way after I receive the new copy?

3) I would like to have the Rank statement left in. I have no objections to the inscription and in accordance with your suggestion shall have the inscription and the acknowledgment to the librarians on the same page under the headings "Inscription" and "Acknowledgment."

4) Late spring publication means that we cannot get the book out until late spring. I meant by "first on our spring list" that we have in mind making your novel our principle title on our spring list.

5) Robertson just got a review in the Herald-Tribune daily book review column which came about through my enthusiasm. Of course, there is no comparison of any kind between his plain story and your work. I only mentioned it because you wanted to know what we could

- 2 -

do in the line of calling the reviewers' attention to our books.

6) I agree with you that for many readers the Notes would be fascinating but it does seem to me that they are of unusual length, in parts suspect to misinterpretation.
I don't want you to cut too close to the heart. If you remember my letter you will remember that all these things were made as suggestions and that I am not going to make any further suggestions.

It was nice of you to ask Lydia and me out for a visit and nothing would please us more. But I shall not be able to get away, so far as I can see, for a long time and could not afford the trip now, nor is Abelard in such a position to allow such expense accounts. That will come in due course after the house has built up a surplus for itself.

I am going over the Notes for suggestions and will mail them on to you today or tomorrow. There won't be any as I would not know how to condense them without a long and probably futile expense of time and effort. The suggestion was a general one.

My best to you both.

FTM:rg

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381 FOURTH AVENUE
MURRAY HILL 6-2510

NEW YORK 16, N. Y.
CABLE: ABELARD NEW YORK

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

1st February, 1951

Dear Vardis:

In answer to your queries:

1. I have no other suggestions on the Jesus book on hand, and at this distance except "lovingkindness" and more moving bits of portrayal, perhaps.

2. I liked the essay to Solomon. We are using it. Sorry I did not mention that to you.

3. As to the Maccabee volume: I like the Author's Note as it stands, but again we have about 20,000 words of NOTES in the back. I do not like the idea of the little numerals. I am not eager to ask you to work over these notes as you did in Solomon. But the material is, I feel, too massive for the novel. Certainly such impedimenta, even for a controversial work, is unique in the history of the novel. My feeling is expressed in Butler's aphorism: "Never try to say everything about anything."

But the notes are well written, and impressive for the few. I have spoken to Lew about the matter, and we have decided to let them stand. I hope, however, that you will see fit to cut them down as much as possible.

I am in the process of giving the book a final reading, and shall report to you my suggestions as soon as I have completed it.

FTM:gg

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

16th February, 1951

Dear Vardis:

You may be assured that we are going on with THE ISLAND OF THE INNOCENT. At its best, it is, in my opinion, the finest thing you have done since IN TRAGIC LIFE (let us say). And as a whole, it is magnificent, with all the Fisher faults (as I see them) and all his virtues.

I shall not make any editorial changes of consequence--and these will be duly submitted to you as in the SOLOMON.

As to the terms, etc., it is my understanding, after a conference with Mr. Schwartz, that they will be not less than those in the case of the SOLOMON--probably the same. Future financial terms will depend, of course, on how well these two books are received in the market places.

You will have the few minor changes I shall suggest within a few days. In the meantime, I want to take up the matters of Foreword and Notes, to get them out of the way.

I should like (two pages) a Foreword that merely states in the simplest manner, without scholarly paraphernalia, the time the novel covers--allowing for a novelist's license; the meaning of the Maccabees; the simplest way of saying, in effect, that the Jews and Greeks differed on cardinal matters (the Hebraism vs. Hellenism of Matthew Arnold's famous essay); the fact that the Mediterranean world had grown smaller, and that there was much more intercourse among the peoples of that time (there is also the shadow of Rome); finally, a word to the effect that, for further illumination, the reader should turn to the somewhat lengthy pages of postscript and notes at the end of the book. These may stand as they are, although I might suggest some cutting in detail when I reach that section.

SOLOMON did not need this preface for the book-reading and book-buying public (the elite, let's say, of the middle class). Everone knows Solomon. A life of Solomon is interesting in itself. But most Christians, and many unorthodox Jews, have only the vaguest notion about the Maccabees (Jesus Ben Sirach is another figure that should have a few general words).

As I say, don't go into the higher criticism, etc. Reserve that for your notes. Just give us the bare facts--expressed, of course, in your best non-combatant manner. This for the book-store reader, without whom we could not publish. You have your forty pages, more or less, in the rear, to justify yourself to God and Man--and the experts. This won't call for the essay form--just cut (if you can) and use anything you want from the original Foreword.

FTM:gg

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

March 13, 1951

Dear Vardis:

THE ISLAND OF THE INNOCENT is now all set to be read for press. The short foreword will stand and I have decided not to suggest you do anything further with the Author's NOTE and the NOTES which will be in the rear -- run them as is unless you have any changes to make.

This is a compelling book and I am most eager to see how it will be received. I have a feeling that it is the biggest thing you've ever done. But for one who has admired your books over so many years (and despite all reservations -- but you know this) it is hard to say. One thing is certain -- that first necessity for a writer of distinction -- an uncompromising originality -- or say individuality -- or perhaps unique is the word, combined, of course, with the sense of power you always give me -- that you have and have always had from the beginning. Sometimes there has been an almost offensive amount of it. But THE ISLAND has a greater emotional warmth, as well as power, than some of the others. Intellectually it is simply superb. I have been tremendously impressed with it and increasingly the more I have lived with it. I'd say not to touch it... beyond press reader's queries., or what I have written you before. If only SOLOMON can set the pace, I believe THE ISLAND will attract the better of the reviewers etc. and win critical acclaim, maybe some damnation but a great deal of attention. I hope so, Vardis, and shall do all that a mere editor can to further its cause.

Your letter about the six copies etc. duly noted. You receive, however, ten copies under our contract -- although I believe we used the Curtis Brown form at the request of Alan Collins. The extra four will be sent you unless you request otherwise.

Contract on the new book will be taken up with Alan shortly.

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NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

CABLE: ABELARD NEW YORK

March 23, 1951

Dear Mr. Fisher:

I spoke to John Hutchens this week on the possibility of doing an interview with you concurrently with the publication of "The Valley of Vision." I didn't have to do too much prompting; he was very receptive to the idea.

What he probably will do is a question and answer deal-- but he'll work out the arrangement when he contacts you directly.

He wishes to be remembered to you.

rg

ABELARD PRESS inc.

March 30, 1951

Dear Vardis:

The revised set of notes will do splendidly. Now, "The Island...." will wait in abeyance until we come to the proof reading. In the meantime I have taken up with Mr. Schwartz the matter of the advance which eventually will be concluded with Mr. Collins. Publication date has not yet been set.

Bear with me a little longer. You may take this as assurance that the contract will be forthcoming; shortly I expect.

My affteionate best to you both as always,

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

ABELARD PRESS inc.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

April 9, 1951

Dear Vardis:

In answer to your last note and a few sundries:

1. The publication date of Solomon is set for May 21.

2. The date for publication of the "Island of the Innocent" has been planned for early in 1952.

3. The reason you have not received the title page galleys etc. is that they are frequently left until the last in case of changes in front matter, etc. the number fly leaves often depending on production problems -- having to do with paper foldings.

4. I am glad you are placing a review in the Times. Everything helps and to be back in the Times before your book comes out is worth the effort. I don't know Brown. I shall do everything I can, however, to attract the attention of my literary and journalistic acquaintanceship to the new book. An editor can't promote and peddle but he can tip the reviewers etc. off on something he has which he things is superior in quality and general interest. There will also be the usual promotion efforts on the part of Rabin and others. No book on our spring list will be given as much attention. It's the leader.

5. I am happy that spring has come to the thousand waterfalls and that you and Opal are feeling better. I wish I could flee this bedlamite city and be out there with you for my vacation. But no can do. Not unless the railroads give me a pass. Besides I have to be on call here -- within striking distance.

Love to you both,

ABELARD PRESS inc.

May 18, 1951

Dear Vardis:

Many thanks from all of us for your generous letter about Solomon. We are hitting our stride now and should continue to improve.

I am hoping for some prominent reviews (whether pro or con as to your approach). We have distributed review and promotion copies widely. We have given the book our best to date. I have high hopes (from our point of view) but am keeping my fingers crossed. As to the quality and power and impact of the novel, I have no doubts whatever. If we can't make a success of Valley of Vision, I don't know what we CAN do.

Yours ever,

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

ABELARD PRESS inc.

May 28, 1951

Dear Vardis:

Here is an advance sheet carrying
the ~~mum~~ review of your book for the Herald
Tribune. It will appear in "Books" of
the Sunday section for June 3.

I don't know Mr. Johnson or even of him, except
as you have spoken of him. I don't understand
a 400 word limit. Nobody on the Times ever
cut me down that way when I was writing.
They sometimes cut my stuff -- for space and
presumably for other reasons -- and they heard
from it when they did. He (Mr. Johnson)
should not have accepted the assignment under
those terms.

I don't know Mr. Brown (present editor)
personally beyond having met him. I wrote
him about VALLEY OF VISION --- but I guess
I have no drag there anymore. Anyway, you'll
get a lot of reviews and many good ones. The
danned *Times* has been a pain in the arse
ever since the ubiquitous and insatiable
Sunday Editor (Lester Markel) took the
book review over and set up his own dummy
editors. Don't quote me on this --- or
he'll see all Abelard books damned.

Yours as ever,

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

ABELARD PRESS inc.

June 14, 1951

Dear Vardis:

I am enclosing some extra matter (I expect you have seen it all) thinking you might want additional copies. Don't worry about that snide New Yorker comment -- for our sakes. It is better to be mentioned than to be neglected.

Gilbert Rabin has been doing an active job of promotion and I have written to all my old friends, acquaintances, chiefs etc. in the book reviewing etc. world --- including Hansen and Gannett whom you mentioned. I have a feeling it is too controversial in the strictly religious sense (would offend orthodox Jews and Christians both) for the daily columnist. Pretty nearly anything goes these days except offending religious and racial minorities. I don't know. That is just my guess. I should think Gannett would especially like Solomon and he has always liked your work, particularly the historical novels. Hansen now conducts a column on the Sunday book section of the Chicago Tribune and I wrote him there.

Gil has not pasted up all the local reviews that are beginning to come in, both from the papers and our clipping bureau. But you'll hear from him or me very soon about them and we'll forward extra copies

The contract for the second book should be coming through soon -- as soon as I can get Lew down to it. I know of no change of plans with regard to it. Here's to increasing sales. More anon.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

My best as ever,

ABELARD PRESS inc.

July 3, 1951 ended July 5.

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

Dear Vardis:

First let me get some points I have in mind out of the way:

1. I read with very great interest your piece THOMAS WOLFE AND MAXWELL PERKINS in *Tomorrow*. It is a superior piece of writing in the critical and psychological fields. I knew Perkins only slightly; Wolfe I knew just a little better. But certainly your critique carries conviction as to both men to judge from Wolfe's works and Perkins' letters. But you ought to see the Saturday Review piece on exactly the same subject by Struthers Burt in the Saturday Review just for your own interest. I'll get you the date of the issue. Someone seems to have swiped it from the office. His piece is not as subtle or as perceptive as yours, and very anti-Wolfe and pro-Perkins. But he makes some of the same points. Some of it, however, is sentimental bosh.

2. I think your letter to Miss Girson (whom I do not know) an excellent thing. Both sound and with a good deal of restrained emotion in it -- which is a very rare thing in American letters, which calls forth reader responsiveness. Gil sent me the carbon you sent him noting "I hope she runs this in its entirety." I agree.

3. I am enclosing a copy of Wagenknecht's review as it appeared on page two of the Chicago Tribune.

Now as to your questions in your letter of July 2. Of the numerous local reviews in all parts of the country: So far we have only one copy of each of most of them and we cannot let these go out of the office. They are posted up. Most of them say the same thing taken from the release which runs fair enough although not favorable. These come from our clipping bureau. The newspapers are supposed to send publishers two copies each (tear sheets) of their review columns. But few get that far. Gil has done a good job in his promotion activities. I wrote over thirty letters, personal and individual, to key book review editors, columnists and critics throughout the country whom I know or have had correspondence with. They were good letters, too. Any spare copies will be forwarded to you. Meantime ask Gil for the list if you wish.

None of us are afraid of controversy. We expected it and wish we had more. The trouble is, I think, that they tend to shy away from your Solomon rather than come to grips with him, pro or con. Not wishing (like N. Yorker in or Time magazine) to take issue, they, at the same time, do not wish to get involved in so iconoclastic an interpretation. (Time's editors are sophisticated enough; but Time's readers range from the gamut of babbity. ) (I worked on Time, ran the book page during a sabbatical period for Mathews, for many months. They are not bohemans and brave.) ((They believe in God and are against the man-eating shark --- that's about as far as they go except to bohemans, flog dead horses and discover where the wind lies.) (And they have an uncanny instinct as to what George F. Babbit will think.)

As to the 7th book, INNOCENT, that is ready for the press reading and ahead of time. No news on the business details of that. Have to hold your horses as I do --- or else write Lew yourself. Gil has nothing whatever to do with such things. It's all between Lew and me --- which means it is up to him. You could write him a friendly note without prejudice. He liked you personally and liked Solomon. But he doesn't like to be pinned down, pestered or shoved around --- whether he's right or wrong.

Yours ever.

ABELARD PRESS inc.

NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

CABLE: ABELARD NEW YORK

AIRMAIL

August 6, 1951

Dear Vardis:

Of course, we are planning to go on publishing
your works. We haven't made any money on "Valley"
yet--I don't know if we will--but I hope we are
building up a good basis for more substantial sales
on your books to come.

As you know, we have had the resistance of the book-
stores to overcome first, and we are making satisfact-
ory progress in that direction, we feel.

I hope you are not unhappy. Reviews are continuing to
come in, mostly from the sticks, but they seem to be
uniformly good.

Now, as to Fred: His leaving us had to do with the fact
that we will be doing less fiction and more books that lie
outside the scope of Fred's special talents. I agree with
you that he is a fine editor. He is planning to free-lance
and has asked me to throw whatever things we can his way.
It's our plan to do just that. He is going off the regular
payroll, but he will not be entirely disassociated.

I wrote on Friday to Curtis, Brown asking for the contract
blanks on your "Island of The Innocent" and I hope we will
execute them shortly. In the meantime, my very best regards.

ABELARD PRESS inc.

381 FOURTH AVENUE

NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

MURRAY HILL 6-2510

CABLE: ABELARD NEW YORK

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

HOME ADDRESS: 56 E. 78 Street
New York 21, N.Y.

Aug. 6, L951.

Dear Vardis:

Let me hasten to tell you that, as I understand it, Lew has every intention of publishing THE ISLAND OF THE INNOCENT. He came into my office the last day I was there to ask me about contract terms etc. etc. He wants to give you the same contract, as I understand, as he did for THE VALLEY OF VISION. If you have not already heard from him or Collins, I am confident you will directly.

He's on your side; but he has a rule of thumb not to tie up money too far in advance and not to commit himself to a second novel until he sees how the first is doing. That's tough on an author; but that's Lew.

Your letter to me was deeply appreciated. As you ought to know, I hold you in affection and friendship -- and they are deeply imbedded in my consciousness. Let's keep in touch with one another from time to time whatever happens.

"The Testament" is of consequence, and the time will come when it will be recognized as such, to a far greater degree than it has been yet. As I wrote to numerous people who at one time or other had been interested in the body of your work: "Even those who may not be drawn to it themselves, will come to admit that at the least it is a tremendous tour de force. I think it much more important than that."

I am afraid that the book business and the book world have come on parlous days -- for the time being. But there will be a reaction.

Lydia wishes to be warmly remembered. She is at Pellegrini and Cudahy -- but I am afraid no chance there for you. (Lydia says that ain't necessarily so -- but my idea is that they are Catholics, although not narrow ones, and that Fisher would be too much for them -- but mebbe not for future consideration if Lew should decide to drop the series after THE ISLAND -- which I hope he won't. In fact, I have an idea he'll see you through, But can't promise nothing.)

My love to Opal and remember me again to the Gipsons,

As always,

ABELARD PRESS inc.

NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

CABLE: ABELARD NEW YORK

September 11, 1951

Vardis Fisher
Hagerman, Idaho

Dear Vardis:

Have your letter of the 8th. The name Emerson Price struck a responsive chord, but I went to our files nonetheless. They bore out what I knew to be so--Mr. Price is on our permanent review list and receives all but books of a special nature; i.e., cook books, etc. He was, of course, sent a copy of "Valley."

It happens occasionally that a reviewer on our list notifies us that he has not received a publication. On a large newspaper, books sometimes go astray, or at any rate do not reach the person to whom they are addressed. My only feeling is one of regret that he did not receive the book earlier. I will replace the copy you sent to him for review.

The reviews are on their way to you in a separate package. We are sending them 4th class, Parcel Post, Registered Mail, and would appreciate their return the same way. Please be very careful with them, Vardis, as they are our only record. We use them for sales and other purposes, and must have them back at the earliest possible time. May I stress that you keep them only for a day or two at most?

GR:et

ABELARD PRESS inc.

NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

CABLE: ABELARD NEW YORK

September 25, 1951

Dear Vardis:

I suppose Hy Berkowitz told you how well-informed I
am when it comes to reaching someone in Idaho.

I was in Sun Valley one day, enroute to Seattle with a
group of liquor administrators, including your own Mr.
Dyer. I had the idea that when I got to Sun Valley,
I would pick up the telephone and call Vardis Fisher in
Hagerman. It doesn't seem to work out that way. I was
told that since there was no telephone to which they could
call you, I would have to wire you, and that a wire would
take a day or two to get to you because wires are mailed.
I should have had to sense to write you in advance that
I was going to be there and at least we could have ex-
changed a "hello."

Now in reference to your letter of September 5th. Will
you please address correspondence to me and I think you
and I will have no trouble in working out our problems.
I have just returned and I have not yet had a chance to
talk to Gil or anyone else about "Innocent". I will write
you as soon as I have had a chance to talk it over.

In the meantime, kindest regards.

LS:bs

P.S. I received a note from Ulric Nisbet, who represents Hutchinson in this country, inquiring whether "Valley" is available for Britan and the Commonwealth. I turned it over to Curtis, Brown.

ABELARD PRESS inc.

September 19, 1950

Mr. J.H. Gipson
The Caxton Printer
Caldwell, Idaho

Dear Jim:

Mr. Schwartz has your latest proposal with regard to Vardis Fisher's novel under consideration and you will be hearing from him or from me in due course.

At the moment we are in the throes of getting out our fall list of books with all the problems that involves for a new house. Very shortly however I shall be able to turn my full attention to the spring list with Vardis's book the first on the docket. In the meantime may I ask your patience and his,

Sincerely yours,

Fred T. Marsh
Editor

rg
enc
copy to V. Fisher

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

ABELARD PRESS, INC.

March 20, 1952

Mr. Vardis Fisher,
Hagerman Idaho

Dear Mr. Fisher:

I have located Martha Foley and Whit Burnett for you, and Testament of Man circulars are on their way to them. If you should care to have their addresses, for future reference, they are:

Martha Foley,
c/o Smith,
29 Bank St.,
New York City

Whit Burnett,
Setauket, L.I., N.Y.

As I send you the returns, please feel free to send me any that are of particular importance to you, and I'll do my "durndest" to locate the parties and send them on. (I say those of "particular importance", only because the two above took five phone calls and at least half an hour to find.)

Thanks for your patience and cooperation in this.

ABELARD
PRESS
INC.
a

publishers

June 18, 1952

Dear Mr. Fisher:

Mr. Collins telephoned yesterday to say you had had no answer to your recent letters. We've made an extensive search, and fail to find a letter from you within recent months. If you wrote one, and it either failed to reach us, or was mislaid, we are very sorry.

Mr. Schwartz said you sent him letters from Ben Abramson of Argus Books, and Margaret Young, of the Houston *Post*, and also a carbon of your recent letter to Irita Van Doren, but he said no letter was with them. These letters are returned to you herewith.

We'll try to answer your letters promptly in the future, and regret very much that there has been a misunderstanding.

Sincerely yours,
ABELARD PRESS, Inc.

MF:ef
enc.

ABELARD
PRESS
INC.

publishers

July 8, 1952

Dear Mr. Fisher:

Thank you very much for your letter. It's good news the novel is ready. We'll be glad to read it, so please send it along.

We're getting together extra copies of the reviews on THE ISLAND OF THE INNOCENT, and hope to enclose with this letter. Where we do not have additional copies, we're writing the newspapers, asking their book editors to send you copies. I've been going over them, with a view to including the best in the fall catalog. I am delighted at their warmth and the praise most of them give the novel. I especially like Emerson Price's review, which is really a short essay, that appeared in the Cleveland Press and Indianapolis Times. I hope we can use a generous quotation from this one, as it is impressive.

Are there any of our books you would like? Did Gil send you THE BLIND BULL, by George Williams? This is a first novel by a teacher of creative writing in Rice Institute, Houston. It, too, is getting fine reviews. I was able to stop by Houston and see Mr. Williams, his wife and two charming sons on my way back from Texas recently. I spent an evening with them that was much too short. Mr. Williams wrote a textbook for Harper's on creative writing, and also compiled an anthology for them on the subject, but this is his first fiction.

Did Gil write you he had gone to an advertising agency? We miss him, but hope he'll be happy there. I hope you won't feel too out of touch with Abelard. The heat is getting everyone down. I always think if I can get through July, we can stand August. I hope it is cool in Idaho.

We'll be looking for the novel.

MF:ef
enc.

Abelard-Schuman, inc
A S PUBLISHERS

381 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 16, N.Y.

MURRAY HILL 6-2510

Sept. 28, 1955.

Dear Mr. Fisher:

We have on hand approximately 1,000 copies of ISLAND OF THE INNOCENT of which 750 are in unbound sheets and 235 in bound books.

Our cost on the books bound is $1.18½, and you may have them at this figure. If you would like to get the sheets and have them bound elsewhere, the cost would be $1.18½ less the binding charges.

MNG/rz

Abelard-Schuman, inc

PUBLISHERS

404 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

MURRAY HILL 6-2510

Oct. 26, 1955.

Dear Mr. Fisher:

Thank you very much for your letter of
October 20th.

The sets of unbound sheets have already
been folded, and the total price per set,
including the folding charge, is $1.01 a set.

This breaks down to 90¢ for the sheets
and 11¢ for the folding. The folding charge,
of course, would be that much less you would
have to pay when the books are bound.

I believe this gives you the information
you want, and if there is anything else I can
do, please let me know.

MNG/rz

ABELARD PRESS inc.

A

FRED T. MARSH, Editor

Dear Vardis,

I've had a letter to you on my mind since that wonderful one you wrote me last fall. But this has been a bad year and I haven't done much of anything about anything. All year I was miserable with a bad back and a painful sciatica in the left leg -- could just drag myself around my gardens and get the necessities done. Finally I had to have a disc operation with bone fusion -- month in the hospital plus lying up at home before and after. I am now up and about, wearing a corset, but it will be another six weeks or two months before I can take even a desk job. These disc operations are becoming common now and they say that if successful they completely eliminate the trouble -- no after trouble at the same spot. But I had a bad case dating back to the first year I went farming after the fiasco in California. This gardeners work I have been doing has been fun, not heavy work, on a big Westchester estate with a greenhouse and extensive flower borders and hthrubs and trees and vines etc., where I was practically my own boss and had an assistant to ease the drudgery part of it -- chiefly growing vast quantities of flowers and delicate vegetables for the old lady's personal table along with general upkeep -- with easy going all winter and January and February off with pay. I thought of it as a good thing for me (I get stale with galloping lassitude in the city) if I intended to get down to writing again.

But that's all over now. I've got to get back to a desk to earn more money (this was an expensive business despite Blue Cross and Workman's Compensation -- what I get out of it, doubtful as to very much since no record of an accident) and also some background for social security when I'm 65. I'll be sixty in the fall and most of the time (while I was a free lance) not under it. The only job I know I can get is back with one of the Westchester Title and Mortgage Companies, real estate legal work which I quit I thought forever in 1930 -- and boy do I hate the idea of that. There are other problems. My daughter with her baby is back from France and no visible means of support except financial help of all concerned while working on a new novel -- couldn't market any of her shorter stuff -- which is good, no question of that. And there's my own general preference for doing absolutely nothing, for, as always, reflection rather than action. As for the professional literary world of publishers and editors it stinks to heaven. Besides, I cut myself out of that and wouldn't go back to it if I could except as an independent -- and no chance of that.

Well, this is the only personal letter of this kind I have written in years and quite a feat considering the "block" I have developed against writing anything at all, which makes me somewhatight for a typewriter causes the mere thought of atypewriter to give me agonies of indecision. I expect those very fancy jellies you and Opal sent us did the trick, after that nice letter you wrote me months ago. You forced me to it.

MARSH

71 WEST 12TH STREET

NEW YORK 11, N. Y.

Nov. 29, 1959

Dear Vardi,

Fred dictated this letter

Thanksgiving Day when I went out to the country to spend the day with him, and asked me to send it off to Mr. Colston and a copy to you.

I don't expect him home before Christmas but I can go out about every other weekend to see him - which is the next best thing.

He is well (and so am I); I only hope he takes care of himself out there on his hilltop, for he hasn't much sense about such things.

I will forward any mail promptly, but, if you prefer to send it all the way, his address is:

c/o of Workum (symbolic, isn't it)
Sarles Street
Mt. Kisco, New York

This is a job where he is supposed to stay on the place all the time when the family are living in town. That is the worst thing about it. One of the good things is that he has the use of a car which he enjoys and drives with great relaxation.

Our love to you and Opal.