The letters concern various works by Du Chaillu published in Britain by John Murray, publishers, and in America by Harper and Brothers, publishers. The letters offer an insight into both the business and social relationship between Du Chaillu and the Murrays.

The letters are mostly to John Murray III and to John Murray IV, but also included are letters to Hallam Murray and to Robert Cooke. There are also two letters of Harper and Brothers, publishers, to Du Chaillu, which he forwarded as enclosures in letters to John Murray III.



The letters are arranged chronologically.



1861: folios 1-24;

1862: folios 25-38 (folio 25 wants signature);

1863: folios 39-46;

1864: folios 47-50;

1865: folio 51;

1866: folios 52-58;

1867: folios 59-70;

1868: folios 71-77;

1871: folios 78-82;

1872: folios 83-91;

1873: folios 92-95;

1874: folios 96-99;

1875: folios 100-110;

1876: folios 111-120;

1877: folios 121-122;

1878: folios 123-124;

1879: folios 125-128;

1880: folios 129-131;

1881: folios 132-137;

1882: folios 138-145;

1883: folios 146-156;

1884: folios 157-172;

1885: folios 173-177;

1886: folios 178-208;

1887: folios 209-216;

1889: folios 217-223;

1892: folios 224-226;

1898: folios 227-231;

1899: folios 232-233;

1901: folios 234-237;

1902: folios 238-247.



Miscellaneous items.



List, ?1871-?1902, in the hand of Paul Du Chaillu, of reference works relating principally to early northern European history and folklore. Folios 248-250.

Manuscript copy, ?1884, of a letter, 15 January 1884, of Paul Du Chaillu to ?John Murray, publishers. Folios 251-252.