[Autograph Letter, Signed, from G.P. Putnam's Sons to L.B. Hildreth Regarding a Book Order]

New York: July 6, 1878. Very good plus.. [1]p., on G.P. Putnam's Sons letterhead. Original mailing folds, pencil notation on verso. A short but informative letter sent by Irving Putnam of G.P. Putnam's Sons regarding a potential book order by Mr. L.B. Hildreth. Irving Putnam was one of three sons of George Palmer Putnam who took over the company following their father's death in 1872. The letter reads, in full:

"Dear Sir, Our 'Best Reading' sells for $1.25 in paper -- $1.75 in cloth & our discount to you on a copy would be 1/3 + postage about 18¢. We shall be pleased to receive your orders for miscellaneous books for your library which we can supply at very favourable terms. We have made a specialty of this part of our business for so long that we can guarantee satisfaction in every respect. Respectfully, G.P. Putnam's Sons Irving."

An interesting correspondence from the postwar New York publishing business, providing useful details on the economics of the contemporary book business.