[...] Meanwhile, I am diligently composing The Twilight of the Gods, of which I have just completed the overture and first act.
As to the publication of my scores, the autumn will have to serve for making arrangements about it, as now, when I am bound to declare my very decided opposition to the nonsensical performance of The Valkyrie in Munich, I should prefer not to correspond with the King on matters touching my works.—Even then, our first concern must, of course, be for the publication of the scores of The Ring of the Nibelungs. I do not think I can hold out, on grounds of cheapness, for your publishing this work at your own sole risk as publishers, since I cannot possibly consider delivering these works to the theatres in the ordinary way as "operas." Long since I reached an agreement with you (for the same reasons, and in respect of the pianoforte arrangements also) not to make further demands upon you. Yet, nevertheless, I believe you, for your part, might, notwithstanding, defray a part of the cost of an edition of the scores which would be likely to be bought up by wealthy enthusiasts for their libraries; so that, if it comes to the point, I need only ask the King to purchase some twenty-five or thirty copies. Afterwards, we could, perhaps, proceed to the publication of the older works on similar lines. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 642