30 September 1952

Mr. W. H. Freeman

549 Market Street

San Francisco 5, Calif.

Dear Bill:

I enclose a clipping from the Los Angeles Daily News for Friday 26 September, about Garrett Hardin's new edition.

I am reminded that someone whom I saw in London or Cambridge said that he had been in Italy recently, and had seen a copy of the Italian edition of GENERAL CHEMISTRY. When I mentioned this the other day Crellin said that he believed that you had copies of it also.

In Paris I had a talk with Professor Paris, translator of the French edition. He is a very enthusiastic man, and I was glad to meet him. Also, I bought a copy of the French edition, and presented it to General Desmaroux, who translated THE NATURE OF THE CHEMICAL BOND into French. He is now retired, from his job as Inspector General of Powder for the French Government. He seemed to be very pleased with the book. I talked with Professor Paris about the way in which the book has been published. It is, you remember, very well printed, on fine paper, and very nicely bound - but it sells for about $8.00. I suggested that it might have been better to print it in the way that most French books are printed, on not so good paper, and to sell it as a paper-backed volume, as are most French books. Professor Paris said that he did not think that the sales would be very large even if this were done, because French students do not have any money to buy books, even if they are cheap rather than expensive.

He said that he thought that the edition of 5000 would be sold out in another year or two, and that he should be preparing the new edition.

I am looking forward to seeing you shortly.

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling:W