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in pencil in top margin Johnson, Curt 2-20-79 4343 N. Clarendon Chicago, IL 60613

Director University of Nebraska Press 901 North 17th St. Lincoln, Neb. 68588

Dear Director: Please excuse the form of address, but I do not have LITERARY MARKETPLACE available to find your name.

I write because several years ago Jack Conroy (the Missouri novelist, author of THE DISINHERITED) and I acquired the camera copy and repros for an edition of

   ZURY:  THE MEANEST MAN IN SPRING COUNTY
  "A Novel of Western Life" by Joseph Kirkland

from the Charles E. Merrill Publishing Co., which had commissioned Jack to write a long, historical/critical introduction and had intended to publish it. But they discontinued their English college text program.

For the text of the book they had photoprinted the 1887, Houghton, Mifflin (The Riverside Press) 1st edition. The type area of the body of the text is 23 x 29 picas (plus running head) and the type is a serif face, looks to me about 10 on 12 or 11 on 13. Would you be interested in publishing this book in your reprint series? I think it might fit naturally into your list. The work, of course, is pretty much considered a minor classic.

We would be interested in selling you this material and the rights thereto, and I can assure you that if the book does fit into your program you would save a great deal in typesetting costs.

May I hear from you at your convenience?

Sincerely, Curt Johnson

handwritten note under typed copy Jack - never did hear from Sternberg at SIV Press. How goes it by you and Gladys? Hope, good & better than recent past for her. What are we asking for this albatross in case this guy (above) asks? Best, Curt