GIRAUD, Pierre-François-Joseph - Lot 70

GIRAUD, Pierre-François-Joseph Pierre-François-Joseph Giraud L.A.S. "Giraud". S.l., June 22, 1816. 3 pages in-8. Important and very interesting letter concerning the economics of the book and the difficulties of book production in the early 19th century. Giraud provides his correspondent with an overview of the situation, before going into very precise considerations of typographical composition, pagination and printing costs. In particular, he discusses the material consequences of a change in composition: "As I was told at the printing house that you didn't want to lose any composition, this sent us back to the second volume a certain amount of material..." The letter goes on to reflect at length on the balance between typographic elegance and commercial imperatives. Giraud humorously mocks certain bibliophilic requirements: "Note, however, that it is impossible to measure this with a compass, unless you do like the financier who ordered books too high for his mahogany library to be trimmed..." He also stresses the dangers of excessive pagination: "The increase in price (...) would prevent the sale of a work..." The particularly tasty conclusion reflects the author's amused exasperation with editorial complications: "It's a true and whole way that I had to give to this flight. & if you don't take this into consideration, I'll make a business out of drinking water with you." A fine, dense and lively letter, offering a rare insight into the concrete realities of publishing under the Restoration: volume production, cost management, relationships between printer, publisher and author, as well as the commercial concerns associated with book distribution. Good condition despite a few folds and slight ink transparencies.