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New York Evening World Illustrations ~ January 6, 1913

G. Busch illustrations from the syndicated issues beginning in December 1913

Five Illustrations from the May 1915 Serialization
in the Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger

ERB and Newspaper Syndication

Ed's awareness of money-making opportunities in another area — that of newspaper syndication — was sharpened by events that occurred early in 1913. In the sale of his stories he had at first relinquished all serial rights to the Munsey Company. This included "Tarzan of the Apes," "A Princess of Mars," and "The Gods of Mars." At a later date, through an unexplained oversight, he sold all serial rights to "The Inner World."

The Munsey Company had arranged with the New York Evening World for the serialization of "Tarzan of the Apes," and with the appearance of successive installments, beginning on January 6, 1913, the popularity of Tarzan created an eager market in other newspapers.  To Ed the possibilities for syndication of his future works became quickly apparent. An opportunity first came in a letter of inquiry, dated February 25, from Albert Payson Terhune, editor of the Evening World:

We have been running your "Tarzan of the Apes" as a serial. It has been extremely popular with our readers; and we would like to make arrangements for newspaper serial publication of its sequel, after its appearance in a magazine.
If you have in mind any story of similar vein to "Tarzan" — with the scene laid in the jungle or possessing some equally unusual interest — please send such story or scenario of it for our consideration....

In the resulting correspondence Terhune agreed to purchase the New York City newspaper serial rights for "The Ape-Man." ("The Return of Tarzan") On March 15 he wrote, "For these, Mr. Tennant, the managing editor, commissions me to offer you $300. This is just six times the sum we paid the Munsey Company for `Tarzan of the Apes'. ..." Ed's acceptance of course was prompt. The vision of a nationwide syndicated outlet for his stories led to his insistence upon one type of sales contract: magazine editors could purchase first serial rights only.  Through inexperience he had surrendered the lucrative rights to "Tarzan of the Apes." He intended to take the necessary precautions with future works.

Ref: Porges p. 256

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TARZAN OF THE APES: ERBzine ILLUSTRATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

DantonBurroughs.com	ERBzine.com	Weekly Webzine	JohnColemanBurroughs.com
BurroughsBibliophiles.com	Pellucidar.org	John Carter Film	JohnCarterOfMars.ca
EdgarRiceBurroughs	tarzana.ca	Tarzan.com Revised by ERB, Inc.	Tarzan.org Revised by ERB, Inc.