Hard-coded id of currently selected item: . JSON version of its record is available from Blacklight on e.g. ??


Metadata associated with selected item should appear here...

Add MS 45135

Record Id:
032-002017823
Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
032-002017823
MDARK:
ark:/81055/vdc_100000000037.0x000012
LARK:
SLARK:
Format:
ISAD(G)
Reference (shelfmark):
Add MS 45135
Title:

POEMS OF ERNEST CHRISTOPHER DOWSON (b. 1867; d. 1900), as sent by him to his Oxford friend Samuel Smith, the first three being written on the backs of letters to Smith, themselves now incomplete; 1891 - 1896 and undated. Autograph. These versions, which differ slightly from the printed texts, were not noted by D. Flower in his first edition of The Poetical Works of Ernest Christopher Dowson, 1934, but were subsequently used by him for his second (pocket) edition, 1950, where the MS. is cited in the notes as 'SS' and its variant readings are printed. The references cited below are to the latter edition, where details of other MSS. of some of the poems are also given: nos. 1, 2 and 7 are apparently unique MSS. See also Brit. Mus. Quart., xii, 1937-1938, pp.87-90. Smith preserved the poems (apparently in no particular order) in an exercise-book, noting opposite each the differences between the MSS. and Flower's first edition. Contents:-(1) 'The Gate of Ivory', beg. 'Sometimes, to solace my sad heart, I say'. First published as 'Vain Hope' in Verses, 1896. Flower, pp. 62, 253. Undated. f. 4;-(2) Untitled poem, beg. 'By the sad waters of separation'. First published as 'Exiles' in Verses, 1896. Flower, pp. 55, 250-251. On a letter dated Bridge Dock, [Limehouse], 9 May 1892. ff. 7b-8;-(3) 'In a Breton Cemetery', beg. 'They sleep well here'. First published in The Pageant, 1897. Flower, pp. 109, 271-272. On a letter dated Pont Aven [Finistère], Feb. 1896. f. 12;-(4) 'Fleur de la lune', beg. 'I would not alter thy cold eyes'. First published in the Century Guild Hobby Horse, vi, 1891, p. 136. Flower, pp. 51 (where the title is 'Flos Lunae'), 247- 248. Undated, but two other MS. versions are dated 20 June 1891. f. 15;-

(5) '0 Mors! quam amara est memoria tua homini pacem habenti in substantiis suis', beg. 'Exceeding sorrow'. First published in the First Book of the Rhymers' Club, 1892, p. 30. Flower, pp. 57, 25 1-252. Undated, but three other MS. versions are dated 28 Apr. 1891. f. 18;-(6) 'A Valediction', beg. 'If we must part'. First published in Verses, 1896. Flower, pp. 82, 261-262. Dated 2 Mar. 1894. f. 22;-(7) 'Here and Now', beg. 'When this our rose is faded'. First published as 'Amantium Irae' in Verses, 1896. Flower, pp. 78-79, 260-261. Dated 15 Mar. 1894. ff. 22 b, 27;-(8) 'Carthusians', beg. 'Through what long heaviness, assayed in what strange fire'. First published in Decorations, 1899. Flower, pp. 97-98, 267-268. Dated 27 May 1891. ff. 30-30b. Paper; ff. iii + 33. Small quarto. 1891-1896. At ff. i, ii are two early photographs stated by Smith (f. iii) to be of Dowson, the first inscribed in another hand 'Ernest C. Dowson age 18 months Feb. 1869'. Presented by A.H. Godsell, literary executor of Samuel Smith, in fulfilment of the latter's wishes.

Scope & Content:

Poetry ENGLISH: E. Dowson: eight poems: 1891-1896.: Autogr.

Ernest Christopher Dowson, poet: Eight poems: 1891-1896.: Autogr.

includes:

  • ff. i, ii Art. Portraits: E. Dowson as a baby: 1869, n.d.: Photogr.
  • ff. i, ii Ernest Christopher Dowson, poet: Photographs of: 1869, n.d.

Collection Area:
Western Manuscripts
Project / Collection:
Additional Manuscripts
Hierarchy Tree:
[{ "id" : "032-002017823", "parent" : "#", "text" : "Add MS 45135: POEMS OF ERNEST CHRISTOPHER DOWSON (b. 1867; d. 1900), as sent by him to his Oxford friend Samuel Smith, the first three being written…" , "li_attr" : {"class": "orderable"} }]
Hierarchy Record Ids:
032-002017823
Is part of:
not applicable
Hierarchy:
032-002017823
Container:
not applicable
Record Type (Level):
Fonds
Extent:
1 item
Digitised Content:
Languages:
English
Scripts:
Latin
Start Date:
1891
End Date:
1896
Date Range:
1891-1896
Era:
CE
Access:

Please request the physical items you need using the online collection item request form.

Digitised items can be viewed online by clicking the thumbnail image or digitised content link.

Readers who have registered or renewed their pass since 21 March 2024 can request physical items prior to visiting the Library by completing
this request form.
Please enter the Reference (shelfmark) above on the request form.

If your Reader Pass was issued before this date, you will need to visit the Library in London or Yorkshire to renew it before you can request items online. All manuscripts and archives must be consulted at the Library in London.

This catalogue record may describe a collection of items which cannot all be requested together. Please use the hierarchy viewer to navigate to individual items. Some items may be in use or restricted for other reasons. If you would like to check the availability, contact our Reference Services team, quoting the Reference (shelfmark) above.

Custodial History:

Samuel Smith: Owned, Annotated and presented: 20th cent.

Material Type:
Archives and Manuscripts
Legal Status:
Not Public Record(s)
Names:
Dowson, Ernest Christopher, poet, 1867-1900 (Subject)
Smith, Samuel, of Add MS 45135 (Former owner)