Wet-press letter books., 1892-1930.
Scope and Contents
The wet-press letter books mark a change in the way that the publisher recorded out-going correspondence. Instead of recording manually each, or the key parts of each, letter copies were captured through pressing the original letter against a piece of unsized paper. The resulting mirror images of the originals were bound chronologically in volumes.
There are three series of wet-press letter books : P, B and L.
Dates
- Creation: 1892-1930.
Creator
- From the Fonds: John Murray (publishers, London) (Originator, Organization)
- From the Fonds: Murray, family, of London, publishers (Family)
Conditions Governing Access
The originals cannot be issued due to the extreme fragility of the paper used in the wet-press process. Instead, microfilm copies are available for consultation.
Conditions Governing Use
Reproductions can be requested from the microfilm copies.
Extent
81 Volumes
Language of Materials
From the Fonds: English
Arrangement
The volumes are arranged into three series (P, B and L) and then chronologically within those series: Series P contains copies of letters written by John Murray IV personally. Series B contains copies of outgoing letters to the book trade. Series L contains copies of outgoing letters written on behalf of John Murray by Charles Edward Lawrence.
Existence and Location of Copies
Each volume has been microfilmed. The reference number for the microfilm of each volume is recorded as part of the archival description for the volume.
Genre / Form
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk