Letter from Ernest Jones to Sigmund Freud, February 9, 1927

9 February 1927
81 Harley Street, London

Dear Professor,

Your kindly and soothing letter had an instantaneous effect on the little that was left of my “schlechte Laune” [bad mood] (which with me is always mobile and never very serious), and I thank you for it.

My infrequent news about our publishing activities is solely due to the infrequency of the activities themselves; when there is news I invariably include it in the Rundbrief. As regards the only two remaining books of yours the position is this: Strachey has already translated most of the Selbstdarstellung, and the only reason for delay is that the funds (of both the Institute and the Hogarth Press) have been strained to their limits by publishing three books this winter (Ich und Es, Ferenczi, and Abraham).1 I will let you have further news as soon as it is available. The question of the Laienanalyse is more complicated, first by the fact that no commercial sale can be expected from it and secondly by the point you make of its actuality. In these circumstances, much as I desire to secure as many of your works as possible for our Library series, I hardly feel justified in asking you to refuse any American offer you may have for the book. I say this most unwillingly, but I see that you would be disappointed if its appearance were delayed—which it probably would in England.

Your other question implies (unjustifiably, as I think) that I am indifferent to the propaganda in America. I make no distinction between Great