12/22.1900
172 - W. 79th St.
          New York

My dear Mr. Stoddard
  I have talked with
the B???????? & some
other book men
here, & they tell me
it is a great mis-
-take to scatter my
books.
Aside from
antagonizing the
publisher who
has my other
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books --& lessening my 
his interest in my works --
& make it difficult
for people who desire
to get sets of my 
books.
So I shall give
this book to Mr.
Conkey.  I have tried
to buy all my plates
of him but he will
not sell them.
          Sincerely yours

Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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Transcription by Richard A. Edwards
Courtesy of the Rare Book, Manuscript, & Special Collections Library
Duke University, Durham, NC
Reproduced by permission.