In the United States, botanist Asa Gray an American colleague of Darwin negotiated with a Boston publisher for publication of an authorised American version, but learnt that <answer>two New York publishing firms were already planning to exploit the absence of international copyright to print Origin</answer>. Darwin was delighted by the popularity of the book, and asked Gray to keep any profits. Gray managed to negotiate a 5% royalty with Appleton's of New York, who got their edition out in mid January 1860, and the other two withdrew. In a May letter, Darwin mentioned a print run of 2,500 copies, but it is not clear if this referred to the first printing only as there were four that year.
Why couldn't Asa Gray use a Boston publisher for an American version of On the Origin of Species?
two New York publishing firms were already planning to exploit the absence of international copyright to print Origin