Frequent network errors when trying to merge works

### Problem

When trying to merge more than ~10 works, the page routinely fails to load with the following error:
`Network error; failed to load editions for /works/OLXXXXXXW. Click OK to reload.`

This issue occurs on pageload at `https://openlibrary.org/works/merge?records=...`.

### Reproducing the bug

_No response_

### Context

- Browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc): Safari
- OS (Windows, Mac, etc): iPadOS
- Logged in (Y/N): Y
- Environment (prod, dev, local): prod

### Breakdown

#### Requirements Checklist
* [ ]

#### Related files

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#### Stakeholders

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#### Instructions for Contributors

- Please [run these commands](https://github.com/internetarchive/openlibrary/wiki/Git-Cheat-Sheet#working-on-your-branch) to ensure your repository is up to date **before** [creating a new branch](https://github.com/internetarchive/openlibrary/wiki/Git-Cheat-Sheet#making-changes-and-creating-a-pull-request) to work on this issue and **each time after** pushing code to Github, because the pre-commit bot may add commits to your PRs upstream.