HARDY FORUM ARCHIVE H01096 12/2/01 "MOMENTS OF LOVE-BOOK AVAILABLE" =================================================================== From: "James Gibson" Subject: MOMENTS OF LOVE Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 23:08:15 -0000 One of the most noticeable features of the recent auction at Sothebys was how much value was added to a book by Hardy's manuscript signature. In the light of this it may be worth mentioning MOMENTS OF LOVE. About three years ago 157 sheets of paper were found in the Dorset County Museum, each one signed by Hardy. It seems likely that another of the de luxe editions of his works, each book with Hardy's signature, was planned to follow the very successful editions of TESS in 1926 and THE DYNASTS in 1927, that he died before the book could be published, and that these autographed sheets were then forgotten until their recent discovery. I was asked by the Museum to think of a way of using them and suggested a book called MOMENTS OF LOVE which would be a selection of his finest 'Emma' poems, with a reproduction of the manuscript on one page, faced by a printed version of the same poem. Macmillan gave the services of one of their top editors and he produced a book of high quality, quarter-bound with a green leather spine and cloth boards, with a matching cloth slip-case. The price of £275 may two years ago have deterred buyers and about fifty copies of MOMENTS OF LOVE remain unsold. In view of the prices fetched at Sothebys for books signed by Hardy, these can be regarded as very good value on a commercial reckoning, and superb value for lovers of Hardy's poetry. Here is an excellent opportunity of combining culture with business!!! If you are interested, write to The Curator, The Dorset County Museum, Dorchester DT1 1XA, or e-mail richard@dor-mus.demon.co.uk Best wishes to all, James Gibson ========== Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2001 23:08:23 -050 From: Rosemarie Morgan Subject: Re: MOMENTS OF LOVE More detailed information about "Moments of Love," together with a facsimile of the holograph manuscript, is online at the TTHA site entitled, "Visit Dorset County Museum" at: http://www.yale.edu/hardysoc/Welcome/welcomet.htm The "Moments of Love" page itself can be found at: http://www.yale.edu/hardysoc/DCM/dcm.htm With every good wish, Rosemarie Morgan ==========