PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PC.O. 885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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No. 38.
MESSRS. GEO. PHILIP & SON, LTD., to MR. II. J. MACKINDER, M.P.
The London Geographical Institute, 32, Fleet Street,
London, E.C., 6th October, 1910.
DEAR SIR,
Visual Instruction Committee-Handbook on India.
THE question of our taking up the publication of this book, in accordance with the suggestions made by you in conversation with Mr. Stanley Philip yesterday, has been gone into by us as fully as the time at our disposal would permit. We calculate that the book reset in larger type and in crown 8vo. size, allowing for 48 half-page illustrations and maps in black and white, would make about 200 pages. If we were entrusted by the Committee with the publication of the book, we should undertake the entire cost of production and advertising, and we should use our best efforts to turn it out in an attractive style.
As regards the sales, however, our experience does not lead us to anticipate a large demand from the ordinary public, neither would a single book of this character on one portion of the Empire alone be suitable for the present requirements of
schools.
We should propose a selling price of 8d. in paper covers and 1s. in cloth, and we should pay to the Committee a royalty of 10 per cent., based on these prices, for all copies sold.
We suggest that this arrangement should be in force for five years, and at the end of that period, if the Committee should desire to transfer the publication else- where, it should be understood that we should be relieved of any stock remaining on hand.
We would undertake to arrange for copyrighting the book in the United States; but the rate of royalty on the United States of America sales which we should be able to propose to the Committee would naturally depend upon the terms of the American publishers, and would have to be a matter for discussion subsequently between the Committee and ourselves.
We return the handbook herewith, and with many thanks for your courtesy in informing us of this matter
We are, &c.,
II. J. Mackinder, Esq., M.P.
12015/1908
No. 39.
GEORGE PHILIP & SON, LTD.
MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON VISUAL INSTRUC- TION HELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE ON FRIDAY, THE 7TH OF OCTOBER, 1910, AT 4 O'CLOCK.
PRESENT:
The Earl of Meath (in the Chair).
Sir Cecil Clementi Smith.
Sir Philip Hutchins.
Sir Charles Lucas.
Mr. Sadler.
Mr. Mercer.
Mr. Mackinder.
Mr. Noall (Secretary).
The minutes of the last meeting, having been previously circulated, were adopted.
The Committee then interviewed Mr. Fisher with reference to his letter of the 10th of August.
(i.) He asked for an exhibition of his pictures at a London gallery, and urged that he was reasonably entitled to expect this by the terms of Clause 6 of his letter of appointment. He thought that the best time for the purpose would be May, 1911, and concurred in Mr. Sadler's suggestion that, after being shown in London, the pictures might be removed to the Festival of Empire.
• No. 25.
25
Lord Meath considered that the Committee was under no obligation to hold an exhibition.
Mr. Mackinder pointed out that there were two aspects of the financial side- the sharing of the expenses and of the proceeds.
(ii) Mr. Fisher asked to be allowed to retain as his own property and, with exhibition rights, the plates of certain etchings, less than 20 in number, and certain books of drawings. Two signed proofs of each etching would be handed over to the Committee to be used at their discretion. In this connection Mr. Sadler suggested that photographic copies of Mr. Fisher's drawings should be made and delivered to the Committee.
press.
(iii) Mr. Fisher suggested the issue of a colour book, with descriptive letter- His view was understood to be that he would have no interest in the plates, apart from the fact that his name would be appended, but that he should be remunerated if his diary were used for the letterpress.
(iv.) Mr. Fisher objected to the wording of the phrase in the preface to the lectures on India relating to the colouring of slides from his instructions. thought this might lead to misunderstanding and injure him professionally.
He
Sir Charles Lucas pointed out that it was now impossible to alter the preface, and Sir Cecil Smith mentioned that the present edition would not be in the hands of artists, in whose minds alone such a misunderstanding could arise.
Mr. Fisher submitted that the word "made "
+
pared in the note on page ii of the book.
might be substituted for “pre-
(v.) Mr. Fisher's claim for £15 for the loss of private property in the hurricane
in Fiji was mentioned. Sir Charles Lucas stated that if the analogy of the Treasury rules was followed two-thirds of the claim, i.e., £10 would be allowed.
Mr. Fisher then withdrew.
After discussion it was agreed that the claim for £15 should be allowed in full, and that Sir Charles Lucas should inform Mr. Fisher of this. It should be made clear, in a second letter, that no reflection on him was intended by the use of the phrases to which he had taken objection, in the preliminary matter of the book, and that the necessary alterations would be made in the illustrated popular edition which would be published.
If a satisfactory reply were received from Mr. Fisher, he should be informed that the Committee agreed to his proposals as to the etchings, and to the exhibition of his pictures provided that no expense would be incurred by the Committee.
The question of the colour book should be held back.
Mr. Mackinder stated that the lectures on India were to be delivered during the winter under the auspices of the provincial committees in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Glasgow, and that he would give the inaugural lecture in each case, in addition to the complete course of the lectures which he is giving for the London County Council.
He then read a letter from Messrs. George Philip & Sons, Limited, on the subject of the publication of the book of lectures on India with 48 half-page illustra- tions and maps in black and white. The firm offered to undertake the entire cost of production and advertising, and proposed a selling price of 8d., in paper covers, and is in cloth. The Committee would receive a royalty of 10 per cent. based on these prices for all copies sold. Messrs. Philip suggested that the arrangement should he in force for five years, and that if, at the end of that period, publication were transferred elsewhere, they should be relieved of any stock remaining on hand. They would undertake to arrange for the copyright in the United States, but the rate of royalty in this case would be a matter for subsequent discussion.
The Committee agreed that the offer should be accepted officially; the allocation of profits as between Mr. Mackinder and the Committee to be further considered. Lord Meath asked to be furnished with a few copies of the illustrated book. Notices would be sent out when the popular edition was ready.
The financial position was then reviewed, and it was decided to accept an offer of £17 10s. made by Messrs. Newton for the photographic apparatus returned by Mr. Fisher.
Sir Charles Lucas informed the Committee that Mr. Mackinder wished to write the lectures on coaling stations and the possessions from Gibraltar to the Far East, other arrangements being made for the lectures on Canada and Australasia. The Committee appointed a Sub-Committee, consisting of Sir Cecil Smith, Sir John Struthers, and Mr. Sadler, to settle what would be an equitable arrangement as between Mr. Mackinder and the Committee, and it was arranged that Mr.
23011
DPage 241
26
Mackinder and Sir Charles Lucas should report to the Committee at their next meet- ing, the names of suitable authors for the Canadian and Australasian lectures.
Sir Charles Lucas raised the question of the permanent management of the business of the Committee, but discussion on this subject was postponed.
A meeting was fixed for Monday, the 7th of November, at 4 o'clock.
27529/1907
No. 40.
SIR C. LUCAS to MR. A. H. FISHER.
[Answered by No. 43,]
DEAR MR. FISHER,
Downing Street, 8 October, 1910. I AM pleased to be able to inform you that the Visual Instruction Committee have allowed your claim for £15 on account of losses incurred by you at the Rewa River in Fiji.
I understand that there is a balance due from you on your. Australasian tour of £20 10s. 8d., which will thereby 'be reduced to £5 10s. 8d. Will you kindly pay this amount to the Crown Agents for the Colonies?
Believe me, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
27
Mr. Mackinder, and I have the pleasure of informing you on their behalf that they accept your terms, which should be embodied in a formal agreement. Any further details as to publication will be settled by Mr. Mackinder on behalf of the Committee.
27529/1907
No. 43.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
MR. A. H. FISHER to SIR C. LUCAS. (Received 10 October, 1910.)
DEAR SIR CHARLES LUCAS,
81, Strand-on-the-Green,
Chiswick, W., October 9, 1910.
I HAVE received your letter of yesterday* informing me that my claim for £15 on account of losses at the Rewa River in Fiji has been allowed.
I will send to-morrow to the Crown Agents for the Colonies my cheque for balance of £5 10s. 8d.
Will you please convey my thanks to the Visual Instruction Committee and at the same time allow me to acknowledge your kindness in giving me the oppor- tunity of being present at Friday's meeting.
27529/1907
No. 41.
I am, &c.,
A. HUGH FISHER.
SIR C. LUCAS to MR. A. H. FISHER. [Answered by No. 11.]
DEAR MR. FISHER,
Downing Street, 8 October, 1910. THE Visual Instruction Committee considered the complaint which you laid before them yesterday in regard to the wording of the Preface to the Lectures on India.
They very much regret that you should feel in any way aggrieved by the terms which have been used and recognise that the words "Some of the slides have been coloured by hand after Mr. Fisher's instructions" are to some extent ambiguous.
They cannot, however, admit that the point is one of serious importance, likely in any way to be of detriment to you, and as the present edition has been printed off the statement must stand.
They are, however, arranging with Messrs. Philip for the immediate issue of a new and popular edition of these lectures which, in all probability, will be far more widely used than the present teachers' edition, and in this new edition they will be pleased to modify the terms of the Preface so as, within reason, to meet your wishes.
I shall be glad to learn from you that this course will commend itself to you, and, if so, the Committee have asked Mr. Mackinder to settle with you what the wording of the Preface in the new edition should be.
When this point has been settled I will communicate further as to the other matters which you discussed with the Committee.
I am informing you in a separate letter* that your claim for £15 on account of losses in Fiji has been allowed.
27529/1907
No. 44.
MR. A. Ú. FISHER to SIR C, LUCAS. (Received 10 October, 1910.)
DEAR SIR CHARLES LUCAS,
81, Strand-on-the-Green,
Chiswick, W., October 9, 1910.
I AM much obliged by your letter of the 8th instant, and should be pleased if you would express to the Committee my acknowledgment of the way in which they have met my point about the ambiguous words in the preface to the printed Indian lectures.
I feel that the course proposed ought to prove satisfactory and to remove any need of my having to disclaim any grounds for a criticism based on a wrong inference from the original words.
I enclose a separate acknowledgment of your other letter,*
15200
No. 45.
And am, &c.,
A. HUGH FISHER.
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GENTLEMEN,
No. 42.
I am, &c..
C. P. LUCAS.
DEAR SIR,
SIR C. LUCAS to MESSRS. GEO. PHILIP & SON, LTD. [Answered by No. 45.]
Downing Street, 8 October, 1910. THE Visual Instruction Committee have had before them your letter to Mr. Mackinder of the 6th instant, stating the terms upon which you are prepared to issue a popular illustrated edition of their handbook of lectures written by
MESSRS. GEO. PHILIP & SON, LTD., to SIR C. LUCAS. (Received 11 October, 1910.)
The London Geographical Institute, 32, Fleet Street,
London, E.C., 10th October, 1910.
Visual Instruction Committee.
We have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, regard- ing Mr. Mackinder's lectures on India.
We are glad to note that the Committee has accepted our terms, and we will proceed accordingly to draw up a form of agreement, and to submit it in due course. We are, &c..
GEORGE PHILIP & SON, LIMITED.
• No. 40.
↑ No. 38.
• No. 40.
† No. 1.
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