Letter from Haldane Crichton, Crewe, to W. E. Henley, 1882 November 30 : autograph manuscript signed.

Setting forth the terms he expects in production rights for Henley's play "Deacon Brodie;" saying "A percentage on receipts is the fairest agreement for manager and author, as they share equally success and failure. A certainty must bring loss to one or other; to the manager if a failure, to the author if a success. I have the honor of the acquaintance of several great London authors, but I never heard of one who had money with a first production. The first production brings advertisement & fame, the following ones the money & fortunes. I propose to endeavour to bring you both, with your first. To pay £200 for an unknown piece by an unknown dramatic author is a species of madness, which nearly twenty years experience will prevent my falling into. If you must have a definite fee I can offer you 10/ for every representation, which is about double £200 for 3 years if the piece is a success; if a failure I don't think any author would care to profit by a manager's loss. An author speculates his brain & name; the manager speculates brain, name, company, posters, music, railway fares and endless items. My other definite offer is 5pc of gross receipts. In either case sole provincial right for 3 years or two or one (if you wish) but renewable. / Re London right / I think the manager who risks production should benefit if the piece reaches London, as it cannot matter to the author whose money he receives, so long as he has his terms; however if you are obdurate on this point I am prepared to waive it, tho I trust on second thoughts you will agree with me. If you can accept either of my offers I shall be glad to settle at once, without the loss of time attendant on a reference to a third party, as I have explained in my former letter, there are exceptional advantages to be gained by the production at Bradford both to you and myself."