Printed and typed two-page contract between Edgar Rice Burroughs and A. C. McClurg & Co. for the book publication of "Tarzan and the Ant Men," signed by Burroughs along with his rubberstamp, Joseph E. Bray (Vice-President of A.C. McClurg & Co.), and two witnesses. On the rectos of two sheets of legal-size paper stapled together, 13x8½.

Original signed agreement for the book publication of one of the most famous and influential literary series of the Twentieth Century. Though “A Princess of Mars” had been published in magazine form in the spring of 1912 (under the pseudonym of “Norman Bean”), it was Tarzan, written during the first six months of 1912, and published complete in the October, 1912, issue of The All-Story, who was Burroughs' most famous and enduring character, and the foundation of his enormous success. Upon this foundation was built his vast empire based upon books, films, radio programs, newspaper comic strips, and many advertising campaigns featuring Tarzan. Burroughs even lived in his own city, Tarzana, developed from the 540 acre ranch in the San Fernando Valley he purchased in 1919. ERB, as he became known to his many fans and readers, had come far since his struggles to support his family with myriad jobs and enterprises prior to his excursion into pulp literature. The contract itself is a standard agreement, McClurg to publish the manuscript in book form "at its own expense in such style and manner and in such quantity as it deems most expedient," with plans to sell it at $2.00 per copy. Burroughs was to receive a royalty of 20% upon all retail or catalog copies. This is the McClurg file copy of the contract, with "Original" typed on the top of the first page, and docketed in ink on the back of the second page, "Tarzan & the Ant Men, Agreement with Edgar Rice Burroughs for publications, May 15, 1924."