We discover in your catalogue #83, page 59, mentioned under the numbers 935 and 936, respectively, the following works,
Clausewitz (General C. von) – Campaign of 1814 – Paris, 1972. Collection directed by Professor J.-P. Charnay.
Clausewitz (General C. von) – Campaign of 1815 in France – Paris, 1973. Collection directed by Professor J.-P. Charnay.
which we have reason to believe are the reprints that we have brought out.
For the moment, we must draw your attention to a gross error that you committed by specifying that these two works were published in a “collection directed by Professor J.-P. Charnay.”
In fact, we signed a collection-director’s contract with the aforementioned Professor on 9 July 1973 and ended that contract on 15 January 1975. The originality of our relationship with Professor Charnay derived from the fact that, during his contract with our Company, no work was published under his direction.
More particularly, concerning the two works by Clausewitz, we would like to make clear that The Campaign of 1814 was finished by the printer on 10 November 1972, and that The Campaign of 1815 in France was finished on 20 March 1973. Your good will was no doubt abused by this professor, who is more concerned with deluding an honest and serious publishing house such as yours with a crude falsification than with historical truth.
We are certain that, when your next catalogue is printed, you will make the necessary rectifications.
Thanking you for wanting to acknowledge receipt of the present letter, we ask you, Sirs, to accept the expression of our perfect consideration.
Gérard Lebovici[1] Not included in volume being translated here.
We acknowledge receipt of your letter of 29 December [1976], received today. It surprised us a little.
It was indeed Professor Charnay who indicated to us the interest and existence of the two works in question.
As you asked of us, we will make the corrections in our next catalogue.
Please, Sir, accept the expression of my distinguished sentiments.
Pierre R. Petitot(Published in Editions Champ Libre, Correspondance, Vol. 1, Editions Champ Libre, Paris, 1978. Translated from the French and footnoted by NOT BORED! June 2012.)