Add MS 89284/1/54

Correspondence relating to the UK and USA edition of the book, including:

• 5 letters from Geoffrey Strachan at Eyre Methuen relating to the cover of the book, publicity of the book in the UK, sales figures, a paperback edition and a possible new edition with a new cover (with photocopy of the proposed cover attached) and other ideas to boost sales, 4 Jun 1974-8 May 1975;
• 9 letters from readers (both from the UK and the U.S.) with complimentary comments on the book, 24 Oct 1974-29 Dec 1977;
• photocopy of a letter from Fraser & Dunlop Scripts to Mr and Mrs Martin Honeysett regarding payment of royalties for the American edition, 28 Jul 1975;
• photocopy of a letter of complaint from the Humberside Division of the National Union of Teachers to the Publisher's Association, complaining that the book is 'extremely distasteful', 16 Dec 1975;
• letter to Palin with suggestions for amendments to the American edition, from unidentified person, 21 Jan 1976;
• copy of a letter from Palin to Steve Conland of Berkley Publishing with suggestions on how to boost sales of the book, 2 Feb, and Conland's reply, 10 Feb 1977;
• 4 letters asking for permission to reproduce material from the book, 8 Jun 1976-11 Dec 1979;
• draft letter of condolence from Palin for the death of Frank Bellamy (one of the illustrators for the book) to his widow, 9 Jul 1976;
• letter from Borchester Press to Palin and Palin's reply regarding the possibility of reprinting the book with them, Dec 1981;
• 4 letter from Geoffrey Strachan regarding ideas for the new edition of the book, 15 Sept 1981-6 Oct 1983, with photocopies of designs for the cover, and photocopy of a letter to him by Terry Jones, 2 Sept 1983.

The file also includes two pages of draft of text for publicity (holograph manuscript), photocopies of sketches for the illustrations, royalty statements (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979), original contract for the UK edition, 7 May 1974, a page from the Model Railway Constructor (Dec 1975) regarding 'Make Your Own HST', and two advertising leaflets for the American edition, 1976.