“As regards the suggestion of printing the text in Europe , I fear the costs would be disproportionately heavy. I can not indicate an exact figure but I believe the cost for Sanskrit printing has now become almost prohibitive both in England and in France . Hence in recent years European scholars had repeatedly to take recourse to printing editions of Sanskrit Texts in Bombay .

“Judging from what I learned incidentally from fellow scholars in Europe, I should not be surprised if the printing of Lokaprakasa in Europe would cost about 5 to 6 times as much at Calcutta or Bombay. I have not the least doubt in case the Maharaja decides to adopt your recommendation, his action would be recognised by the Societe Asiatique in the fullest measure.

“Certainly there would be no hesitation on the part of the Society to offer whatever number of complimentary copies the Durbar might think of use for distribution purpose. Similarly I believe that a dedication to His Highness would be readily agreed to though of course I can not offer an assurance on this point without reference to Monsieur Bloch or some leading member of the Societe Asiatique.

“Let me add that from all I have seen of Baptist Mission Press productions, the outward appearance of the publication would not be unworthy of the suggested dedication or of that distinguished society. With regard to the proposed presentation to the Societe Asiatique of a copy of the Kashmir Sanskrit Series publications, I may point out that the Society would probably be quite willing to reciprocate by the regular presentation to the appropriate institution at Srinagar of a copy of its own Journal Asiatique.

“Such exchange of periodicals is quite usual and I am sure the Kashmir institutions would be by far the gainers. I may mention that since my letter was written, I received a reference on the same point from German Oriental Society, an old and very meritorious learned body. It had offered such exchange to the Superintendent of the Research Department, Kashmir about a year ago but had up to the time of writing not received an answer.

“I am returning herewith the draft received with your letter and wish to assure you once more of my heartiest thanks for the encouraging interest which you are showing in this matter. Hoping for the great pleasure of seeing you in April at Srinagar when I expect to have returned from an archaeological tour on the Frontier.”
- Sir Aurel Stein.

(in a letter dated February 10, 1926 by Sir Aurel Stein to Sir John Wood, the Resident, Kashmir) Stein Mss 112, Bodleian Library, Oxford.