CONRAD, JOSEPH. 1857-1924. Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Conrad'), to his American publisher Alfred A. Knopf ('My dear Knopf'), discussing the commercial triumph of Chance, progress on his next novel [Victory], and negotiations with his agent J.B. Pinker. Capel House, Orlestone, Near Ashford, 4 February 1914. 2 pages, 4to (approx. 252 x 204 mm), written in black ink on a single sheet of Capel House letterhead, with printed blue typographic header detailing local telegraph and rail stations, central horizontal and vertical folding creases. AN OUTSTANDING LITERARY LETTER FROM JOSEPH CONRAD TO ALFRED A. KNOPF, BRIMMING WITH CONTENT CONCERNING HIS PEAK LITERARY PERIOD, HIS AGENT J.B. PINKER, AND THE WARTIME TRANSITION OF HIS MONUMENTAL NOVEL, VICTORY. This extensive letter catches Conrad at a crucial turning point in his career. Following years of financial instability, the publication of Chance in late 1913 altered his fortunes completely. Conrad proudly tells Knopf: 'Chance had a magnificent press and her fifth edition was advertised within a fortnight of publication.' The correspondence delves deep into the business of early 20th-century publishing, charting negotiations managed by his agent, James Brand Pinker, for a proposed 'uniform edition of six books.' Conrad updates Knopf on his current creative output, declaring: 'I am very busy with my next novel now approaching completion [Victory]. I have also just finished two short stories.' He instructs Knopf that now is the prime window for magazines like the Metropolitan to secure his work, adding a long, characteristically dense postscript written vertically in the left-hand margin regarding his storage of manuscripts until a premium market rate is secured: '...These two stories complete a vol of only 4 or 5 stories which I shall keep in the drawer for a time - till I get a good offer anywhere. The letter also offers insightful commentary on his tight-knit literary network, specifically praising Richard Curle's forthcoming biographical study and noting that the formidable critic Edward Garnett ('a severe critic') agreed there was 'a lot in him.' For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing