Introduction

‘I love books physically’, wrote Alfred Knopf in his 1917 catalogue, ‘and I want to make them beautifully.’ He was then a young, intrepid entrepreneur who, in partnership with his soon-to-be wife, Blanche Wolf, had founded his own New York-based publishing company just two years previously. Their partnership was to prove one of the most eminent, visionary and pioneering American book publishers of the twentieth century. After initially reading law at university and following in a family tradition of marketing, the young Alfred soon veered towards his real passion, reading, and determined to make a career of it. If the impressive list of authors he was publishing within the first years bears witness to his flair and efficiency, he gradually focused on the business and executive side of the company, entrusting his wife with the more literary side of things: relations with authors, manuscripts, editing and production. In the letters they exchanged, KM’s regular inclusion of greetings to ‘Mrs Knopf’ doubtless acknowledges the true balance of power and responsibility at the company, even though it bore the name of only one partner: Alfred A. Knopf. They were to be the only American publishers of her works during her lifetime, publishing Bliss and Other Stories in 1921 and The Garden Party and Other Stories in 1922; they brought out The Doves’ Nest and Other Stories following her death, in August 1923. Also the American publisher of JMM, Knopf continued as the publisher of KM’s poetry, stories and journals in the posthumous editions edited by JMM.

Professional dealings notwithstanding, it is clear that KM and Alfred Knopf had much in common, even though the closest contact they ever had would appear to be attending the same party in London in 1912, via the intermediary of Frank Harris, who was then JMM’s mentor. Knopf had made the trans-Atlantic journey to meet John Galsworthy, with whom he had been exchanging letters; once in London, he proved keen to meet and acquire new works by as many established and emerging British-based authors as he could, many of whom he later recommended for publication in the States. He and KM thus shared a striking passion for London’s literary world and English literature.