Add MS 89284/1/94

Correspondence between Palin, Geoffrey Strachan at Eyre Methuen Ltd, the BBC and Jill Foster regarding the book The Complete Ripping Yarns (1978), including initial thoughts (5 Jan 1976-28 Oct 1977), copyright fees to be paid to the BBC for the photographs (26 Jan-14 Feb 1978), back cover copy and list of credits (2 Mar-18 Par 1978), the itinerary of the book tour 'Around Britain by Frog', with attached press cuttings and advertising posters, (23 Nov-4 Dec 1978), publicity, a paperback edition, sale figures, and the possibility for a second book to include the last 3 episodes More Ripping Yarns (24 Jun 1979-23 Jan 1980).

The file also includes:

• notes on a discussion with Geoffrey Strachan about the book and suggested timetable, 1 Jun 1977;
• contract with the BBC for copyrights on the photographs used in the book, 13 Feb 1978;
• cover back board copy - typescript with holograph corrections and annotations, undated;
• mock-up of the book cover;
• introduction to the book by Luigi Vercotti - typescript with holograph corrections and annotations, undated;
• proof of book cover and endpaper;
• list of artists and crew, Nov 1978;
• notes from a talk with Geoffrey Strachan, 22 Nov 1978;
• royalty statement, 31 Dec 1978;
• communications (cards and letters) from Frank Middlemass, Keith Smith, [Ken Colley], Barbara [New], Don Henderson, to Palin thanking him for the book, [1978]-1979;
• press cuttings, 1978-1979;
• a fan letter, 19 Mar 1979;
• paperback cover copy - typescript with holograph corrections and annotations, undated;
• 4 letters from Pantheon Books regarding the US edition, 21 Nov 1978-30 Nov 1979, one including photocopies of press reviews;
• Pantheon Books catalogue, 1979;
• black and white photograph of Palin as Tomkinson and Jones as Mr Ellis (from 'Tomkinson's Schooldays') holding the book, used in the cover proof above;
• black and white still of Palin from the set of 'The Testing of Eric Olthwaite'.