Beschreibung:

CHURCHILL, Winston S. Two typed letters signed ("Winston S. Churchill"), to Than von Ranck, 11 July 1931 and 24 December 1931. Together 3 pages, 4to, Chartwell and Waldorf-Astoria stationery .
CHURCHILL, Winston S. Two typed letters signed ("Winston S. Churchill"), to Than von Ranck, 11 July 1931 and 24 December 1931. Together 3 pages, 4to, Chartwell and Waldorf-Astoria stationery . "ABOUT TEN QUITE GOOD ARTICLES COULD BE MADE" A canny literary businessman, Churchill negotiates his publishing arrangements with the Hearst newspaper empire. "The time is approaching," he tells Ranck--an editor at Hearst's New York American --when I must make my arrangements for literary work in 1932, and so I ask you to let me know as soon as convenient whether 'Hearst Newspapers' will want me to write these monthly articles for them in the coming year, and on what terms. Some other suggestions have been made to me, but I shall not entertain any of them until I know what your wishes are." He then broaches the idea of serializing the forthcoming volume of his World Crisis , dealing with the Eastern Front. His contract with Hearst prevented him from serializing any of his books outside the U.K. or the Dominions, but as the new book dealt "so prominently with the German Army, the German serial rights would probably command a certain price. You can judge yourself of the possibilities. About ten good articles could be made..." In the 24 December letter--just weeks after his near fatal traffic accident in New York--he tells von Ranck that he has already sold the story rights "on my accident, and this matter must be considered closed." But he wants to meet von Ranck and discuss "a series of articles" on other topics. As in the earlier letter, he hints at competing offers from other sources to strengthen his hand in the negotiations. Churchill relied heavily on his literary income to support his lavish lifestyle, and he knew how to drive hard bargains with his publishers. Together 2 items . (2)