M8 Finding aid prepared by Miriam B. Spectre, Melissa Torquato. Last updated on July 17, 2014. Bryn Mawr College 2000
Table of Contents Summary Information...3 Biography/History...4 Scope and Contents... 4 Administrative Information... 4 Controlled Access Headings...5 Collection Inventory... 6 Correspondence...6 Writing... 7 Photographs and prints... 9 Other material... 9 - Page 2 -
Summary Information Repository Bryn Mawr College Creator Masefield, John, 1878-1967 Title John Masefield collection Call number M8 Date [inclusive] 1894-1944 Extent 0.5 linear feet Language English Abstract The poet John Masefield was born on 1 June 1878 in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. Masefield was best known for his sea poems, including "Sea Fever" and "Cargoes," and for his long, narrative poems, including "The Everlasting Mercy." He also wrote adventure novels, short stories, and works for children, as well as two autobiographical works In 1930, he was appointed poet laureate of England, and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1935. Masefield died near Abingdon, Berkshire on 12 May 1967. The collection contains a number of letters, a small group of material about a musical composition by Malcolm Davidson based on Masefield's poem, "A Christmas Carol", prints and photographs. Cite as: John Masefield Collection, Special Collection Department, Bryn Mawr College Library. - Page 3 -
Biography/History The poet John Masefield was born on 1 June 1878 in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. Masefield was best known for his sea poems, including "Sea Fever" and "Cargoes," and for his long, narrative poems, including "The Everlasting Mercy." He also wrote adventure novels, short stories, and works for children, as well as two autobiographical works, In the Mill (1941), which describes his time working in a carpet factory in the United States, and So Long to Learn (1952). Masefield worked on a windjammer that sailed around Cape Horn, lived for some time in the United States, and then returned to England where he worked as a journalist for the Manchester Guardian. In 1930, he was appointed poet laureate of England, and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1935. Masefield died near Abingdon, Berkshire on 12 May 1967. Scope and Contents The collection contains a number of letters by John Masefield, most regarding his work, from 1906 to 1944. There is a small group of material about the December 1920 edition of The Chapbook (published by The Poetry Bookshop) which contained a musical composition by Malcolm Davidson based on Masefield's poem, "A Christmas Carol." This material includes the handwritten score and letters to and from The Poetry Bookshop about the publication. The collection contains two prints and three photographs of Masefield, all from the 1920s, four of them signed by him. There are also two landscape photographs, with a note by Masefield. The earliest item in the collection is a nautical certificate dated 1894, which was presented to Masefield from the ship "Conway." Administrative Information Bryn Mawr College 2000 Finding aid prepared by Miriam B. Spectre, Melissa Torquato. Access Restrictions This collection is open for research. - Page 4 -
Use Restrictions John Masefield collection The John Masefield Collection is the physical property of Special Collections Department, Bryn Mawr College Library. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Immediate Source of Acquisition note Acquired by purchase and gift from various sources. Controlled Access Headings Form/Genre(s) Correspondence. Photographs. Personal Name(s) Davidson, Malcolm, 1891-1949 Masefield, John, 1878-1967 - Page 5 -
Correspondence Collection Inventory Correspondence. From John Masefield. Cazenove, Mr. 1 1 Clench, Mr. TLS, Burcote Brook, Abingdon. 1 1 Milkman, Mr. TLS, Hill Crest, Boar's Hill, Oxford. 1 2 Mills, Wilson W. TLS, Burcote Brook, Abingdon (See also: 1, folder 12). 1 2 O'Shea, Monica Barry. 1 2 ALS, 13 Well Walk, Hampstead. 1 3 ALS, Boar's Hill, Oxford. 1 3 The Poetry Bookshop.ALS, Hill Crest, Boar's Hill, Oxford. 1 3 Richards, [Mr.?]. ALS, 30 Maida Hill West, W. 1 3 Theis, Mrs. Seven ALS, one TLS, one AL. 1 4 TL, Boar's Hill, Oxford. 1 4 ALS, signed "P.H.". 1 4 - Page 6 -
From third parties From third parties. [Galatti?], Stephen to Oliver H. Perry. ALS, American Ambulance Field Service, 21 rue raynouard, Paris. 1 5 Gurney, Ivor to The Poetry Bookshop. Three ALS. 1 5 Ord, Bernhard to The Poetry Bookshop. 1 5 ALS, Athelnet, All Saints Road, Clifton, Bristol. 1 5 ALS, 9 Camden Place, Preston. 1 5 Writing. Writings by John Masefield. "Emily the Fair" (See: "Minnie Maylow's Story," Legal Oversize, box 1, folder 25). "Jim Davis," story, holograph, corrected. With preface by F. J. Harvey Darton. 1 6-9 "The Long, Long Indian Days," poem, printed as broadside by Elkin Mathews. Printed with "Pixy-Led" by Alice E. Gillington. Signed by Gillington. With hand colored pictures. Stored in: General Oversize, box 1, folder 3. "Minnie Maylow's Story," poem. Typescript carbon, in volume. Stored in: Legal Oversize, box 1, folder 25. - Page 7 -
Proofs, corrected, in volume. Includes proofs of illustrations. Stored in:... Proofs, corrected, in volume. With title "Emily the Fair." Stored in: Legal Oversize, box 1, folder 25. "The Port of Holy Peter," poem, holograph, corrected. Includes pencil sketch of a boat. Written on stationery of The National Telephone Company, Limited. 1 10 "The Racer," poem, printed, signed by John Masefield. 1 10 "Reynard the Fox," poem, typescript, corrected. 1 12 "Son of Adam," poem.typescript, corrected, in volume. Stored in: Legal Oversize, box 1, folder 26. Proofs, corrected, in volume. Includes proofs of illustrations. Stored in: Legal Oversize, box 1, folder 26. Unidentified work. One page fragment, holograph. 1 15 Writings by others. The Chapbook, No. 18 (London: The Poetry Bookshop) Contains "A Christmas Carol," music by Malcolm Davidson, words by John Masefield; "Full Moon," music by Scott Goddard, words by Walter de la Mare; "Desire in Spring," music by Ivor Gurney, words by Francis Ledwidge. 1 14 Davidson, Malcolm. Musical composition, holograph, of John Masefield's poem, "A Christmas Carol". Stored in: General Oversize, box 1, folder 3. Goddard, Scott. Musical composition, holograph, of Walter de la Mare's poem, "Full moon". Stored in: General Oversize, box 1, folder 3. - Page 8 -
Photographs and prints Gurney, Ivor. Musical composition, holograph, of Francis Ledwidge's poem, "Desire in Spring". Stored in: General Oversize, box 1, folder 3. Photographs and prints. Masefield, John. Head and shoulders, print by William Strang. Signed by Masefield. 1 15 Masefield, John. Print. Signed and dated by Masefield, 1921. 1 15 Masefield, John. Photograph. Signed and dated by Masefield, 1922 Jan 19. 1 16 Masefield, John. Photograph. On back are two printed biographical paragraphs, signed by Maser. 1 16 Masefield, John. Sitting at a table with a book, photograph. Signed and dated by Masefield, 1922 Jan 19. 1 17 Landscape scenes. Two photographs. With note by Masefield: "The original of the Jell Brook...". 1 17 Other material. Mercantile Marine Service Association, Liverpool, School Ship "Conway.". Certificate presented to Masefield "on leaving this ship". 1 18 - Page 9 -