Copies of letters sent by John Murray, publishers, to various correspondents., 1765-1930.
Scope and Contents
The volumes in this series are the extant letter books of the publishing house. They contain copies of letters relating to the business of the publishing house, including letters to authors, editors, printers and other publishers. Only key letters were recorded, rather than every letter issued by the publishing house. As such, the volumes do not provide a comprehensive record of all letters issued by the publisher.
Two types of letter book are represented: copy letter books, which contain handwritten copies, often just summaries, of the key correspondence; and wet-press letter books, which contain full copies of letters reproduced through a duplicating process.
Folios from the letter books were occasionally removed, such that numbers may be missing from the original foliation sequence, or a stub only may be visible. Such letters are sometimes found with related correspondence in the Incoming Correspondence, or elsewhere in the archive.
Dates
- Creation: 1765-1930.
Conditions Governing Access
The particular conditions governing access are recorded against each series.
Conditions Governing Use
The particular conditions governing reproduction are recorded against each series.
Extent
104 Volumes
Arrangement
The volumes of the outgoing correspondence are arranged in three sequences: the copy letters books (MSS.41896-41916); the wet-press letter books (MSS.41917-41997); and the letter books for particular publications (MSS.41998-41999).
Existence and Location of Copies
Where copies exist they are recorded against the relevant descriptions.
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