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British Psycho-Analytical Society
21 February 1927
London
Dear Professor,
I was not able to telegraph because a simultaneous letter from Storfer showed me that the situation is even more complicated than you had depicted it. I have had a talk with Strachey and will try to make our points as clear as possible. 1. Strachey is willing to sell his translation of the
.“Selbstdarstellung” to Brentano with the only condition that he correct the actual proofs (so as to make sure that it is not distorted). 2. He is also willing to undertake a translation of the “Lay Analysis” for Brentano on the same conditions. 3. We suggest that Meiner be asked to buy a copy of Strachey's translation from Brentano whenever he wishes to issue a publication in England. Something about this eventuality should be said to Brentano in the preliminary programme with him.
Now I come to the main difficulty. Storfer tells us that Brentano's intention is to publish the two books in one volume. As Meiner refuses to release the English rights over the first book that means that neither can ever be sold in England without his consent. This would be a calamity to us and can only be avoided by some sort of preliminary arrangement with Meiner.
Before we consider the solution of this difficulty let me clear up another point. You will remember my expressing the opinion that Woolf (the Hogarth Press) would not be likely to undertake the rapid publication of both these books, since he is already straining his resources to publish three others this winter for us. It was, of course, solely on this ground that I felt I could not press you to withdraw from the American negotiations about the “Lay Analysis”. Now, however, that, according to the latest news, the “Selbstdarstellung” is not available to us, it reopens the question of our publishing the “Lay Analysis”. It is naturally a matter on which I should have to consult Woolf before saying anything definite, but you will see that the situation has altered in this