Letter to Anna Ulyanova, December 24, 1908

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Rue Beaunier, 24, Paris (XIV-me)

December 24, 1908

Dear Anyuta,

Today I received your letter about the proofs and hasten to scribble a few words, though I believe my last letter cleared up all misunderstandings. I never assumed and still do not assume that proofs would be sent here to be corrected—i.e., with your having to wait for the corrected proofs to be returned from here. I ask you to send me the proofs just in case, i.e., either so that I can point out the misprints and arrange for the most important corrections, or so that I can stop the printing by telegraph in an emergency, etc., or, lastly, so that I can have at least one printed copy by me in case of certain highly improbable happenings.

That is why I ask you to get two copies of the first(or of the second, or, better still, of the first and the second) proofs printed; one copy you will read while the other comes straight to me without anybody holding it up for anything. I think such a thing is quite possible for the publisher; I shall not cause the slightest delay unless it is absolutely necessary. If pulling off two copies involves any expense (which is hardly likely and there is no need for us to raise the question), I will bear it myself.

If you send the first proofs regularly, the delay will never amount to a week because in any case it takes several days to correct it completely and to print what has been read (correction of the first proof; correction of the second proof; imposition; printing). The publisher is exaggerating when he talks about a week’s delay.

By the way—I will give you a telegraphic form to be used in case of need right away. I shall write “arrêtez 12 or 65, etc.”, arrêtez meaning “delay the printing”, or “wait for author’s corrections”, and the two figures meaning, the first figure the chapter, and the second the section (12= Chapter One, Section 2; 65=Chapter Six, Section 5, etc.). I repeat that I shall do this only in extreme cases.

Instead of printing the chapter headings in heavy type it is better, if possible, to set them in small type or in italics. This, however, is not important.

Has one of my letters with addenda and minor changes gone astray? I see from your letter you received corrections and addenda regarding E. Becher, but before this there was another letter containing corrections.

I am very, very glad that the matter is moving fast. That is the main thing.

All the best. Kiss Mother.

Yours,

V. Ulyanov

We all send regards. We have begun to settle down in Paris.