In this new series, Rarities & Treasures from the Publishers’ Archives, we are working with Malta’s publishing houses to bring you the most special artefacts they have in their possession, be they rare first editions, out-of-print tomes, and even correspondence.
Today’s serving is a letter written by Paul (Pawlu) Mizzi, the founder of Klabb Kotba Maltin and Midsea Books, to legendary Maltese poet, novelist and philosopher Oliver Friggieri. Written on the August 18, 1970, it lays out Paul’s plan for his new Book Club, which went on to publish some of the Islands’ most famous works, including Frans Sammut’s landmark novel Il-Gaġġa and Joseph M. Pirotta’s four-volume series on Malta’s final act as a fortress colony.
The letter was returned by the author to Paul’s son, Joseph, ensuring its place in the publishing house’s archives.
Here is the transcript of the letter:
23, Triq il-Mirżuq,
M’forn
Għawdex
18 – 8 – 70
Għażiż Oliver,
Ħadt l-ittra tiegħek illum. Stennejt li niltaqa’ miegħek M’forn imma ma rajtekx. Dwar il-Book Club għadni bl-istess fhema u jekk taħseb li għandna xogħolijiet biżżejjed biex nibdew ma jidirliex li hemm għalfejn nitilfu żmien. Ara meta trid niltaqgħu, iktibli jew ċempilli għand ħija 76278 biex niffissaw data ħalli nitħaddtu dwar kundizzjonijiet għall-membri u kittieba. M’għand Ġorġ Pisani għandi xi ħaġa, imma mhux bla ħlas. Marcell Mizzi u Ninu Cremona lesti jgħinu wkoll. Nitkellmu dwar aktar dettalji meta niltaqgħu.
Sadattant Saħħa.
Ħabibek,
Paul.
