Boston College Collection of David Jones 1922-1989 MS.1986.001 https://hdl.handle.net/2345.2/MS1986-001
Archives and Manuscripts Department John J. Burns Library Boston College 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill 02467 library.bc.edu/burns/contact URL: http://www.bc.edu/burns Table of Contents
Summary Information ...... 3 Administrative Information ...... 4 Related Materials ...... 4 Biographical note ...... 5 Scope and Contents ...... 6 Arrangement ...... 6 Collection Inventory ...... 7 I: Correspondence ...... 7 II: Literary works ...... 7 III: Art ...... 9 IV: Ephemera ...... 11
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 2 - Summary Information
Creator: Jones, David, 1895-1974 Title: Boston College collection of David Jones ID: MS.1986.001 Date [inclusive]: 1922-1989 Physical Description 11 Linear Feet (9 containers) Language of the English Material: Abstract: This collection documents nineteenth-century British author and artist David Jones through his correspondence, ephemera, drawings, engravings, paintings, manuscripts, typescripts, and proofs of his poetry and short prose. Preferred Citation
Identification of item, Box number, Folder number, Boston College collection of David Jones, MS.1986.001, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 3 - Administrative Information
Publication Information Processed by Michelle Russell and Mark Roskoski in 1994. This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace.
Restrictions on access Collection is open for research.
Provenance Purchased from Serendipity Books in 1986, and gift of Michelle Russell in 2000.
Restrictions on use These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Related Materials
Related Materials Boston College collection of Eric Gill, MS.1986.139, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 4 - Biographical note
Born in Brockley, Kent on November 1, 1895, Walter David Jones, known as David, was the third child of James Jones, a Welshman by birth, and Alice Ann Bradshaw, an Englishwoman and an amateur watercolor artist. Jones's Welsh heritage was a large influence throughout his life and work.
He enrolled in the Camberwell School of Art at the age of fourteen. When World War II began, he enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and remained in the trenches until wounded in the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.
In 1921 he became a Roman Catholic. In 1922 he joined Eric Gill's Guild of Saint Joseph and Saint Dominic at Ditchling, Sussex, where he learned wood and copper engraving. Jones developed a close friendship with Gill and his family, and relocated to Capel-y-Ffin, Wales in 1924 following their move there. Jones continued engraving, and also worked at the Benedictine community on Caldey Island. He was engaged to the Gills' daughter, Petra; but their engagement was broken off in 1927. Jones's friend Rene Hague married Petra's sister Joan, and the three were to remain close friends.
After the Gills left Wales for Buckinghamshire in 1927, Jones divided his time between their new home, his parents' home in Kent, and the residence of his friend and patron Helen Sutherland in Northumberland. The period from 1926-1933 was a prolific one for Jones's art, during which he produced engravings, illustrations, watercolor paintings, and drawings His work was included in several exhibitions at galleries in London and abroad.
In 1927, Jones began writing and started what would become In parenthesis; seinnyessit e gledyf ym penn mameu (1937), a combination of prose and poetry about World War I. Although it was not a commercial success, in 1938 it won the Hawthornden Prize. In 1952, Jones published the long poem The Anathemata, which was awarded the Russell Loines Memorial Award for poetry by the American National Institute of Arts and Letters in 1954. He was made Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1955.
In 1962, Jones moved to Harrow, where he lived a retired life but continued to correspond extensively with friends. In 1970, he suffered a stroke and a broken leg. He moved to the Calvary Nursing Home, where he died on October 28, 1974.
Sources:
Blamires, David. David Jones: Artist and Writer. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1971.
Grisewood, Harman, ed. Epoch and Artist: Selected Writings by David Jones. New York: Chilmark Press, 1959.
Hague, Rene, ed. Dai Greatcoat: A self-portrait of David Jones in his letters. London: Faber and Faber, 1980.
Rees, Samuel. David Jones. London: Twayne Publishers, 1978.
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 5 - Scope and Contents
This collection documents nineteenth-century British author and artist David Jones through his correspondence, ephemera, drawings, paintings, prints, manuscripts, typescripts, and proofs of his poetry and prose.
Jones's correspondence is largely with friends and publishers. Of note are letters to Louis Bussell, which focus on the events on the continent prior to World War II as well as artistic matters. Correspondence to Edward Little discusses the publication of "The Dying Gaul" broadcast in America. And letters to the poet Vernon Watkins, the largest single group in the collection, relates to the publication of "The Wall" and "The Tutelar of the Place" in the American journal Poetry. Also included are a number of letters to the Society of Authors.
Jones's writings are mostly short works originally written for periodicals or delivered as radio addresses. Prose writings include essays and addresses, most of which were later published in the collections Epoch and Artist (1959) and The Dying Gaul (the posthumous collection, 1978). Poems include multiple versions of "The Fatigue" and "The Wall."
Jones's art works comprise drawings, engravings, and watercolor paintings. The wood engravings includes proofs for his illustrations of The Book of Jonah and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, with both rejected and final plates. The collection also includes some later reproductions of Jones's art as calendars, cards, and posters.
Lastly, the collection contains some materials about Jones and his works, as well as his collected ephemera.
Arrangement
Organized into four series: I. Correspondence, II. Literary works, III. Art, and IV. Ephemera.
Series II. Literary works is further divided into two subseries: A. Prose and B. Poetry. Series III. Art is also further divided into two subseries: A. Original, and B. Reproductions.
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 6 - Collection Inventory
Series I: Correspondence, 1924-1973, undated Arrangement
Alphabetical by last name.
To Bernard Bergonzi, 1965 November-December box 1 folder 1-2
To Louis Bussell, includes a drawing, 1928-1946 box 1 folder 3-9
To Father Caraman, 1952-1953 box 1 folder 10-11
To Will and Sebastian Carter (photocopy), 1965 September- box 1 folder 12 October
Jones's typed response to invitation of Catholic Painter's Guild, box 1 folder 13 undated
From Michael de la Bedoyere, 1960 November 2 box 1 folder 14
To Father Desmond, 1924 August 13 box 1 folder 15
From Sir Emrys Evans, 1955 February 1 box 1 folder 16
Signed card to Eric Gill, 1928 September 13 box 1 folder 17
Signed card to Petra Gill, 1927 August 1 box 1 folder 18
To Father Sylvester Houedard, O.S.B., 1973 April 4 box 1 folder 19
To Edward Little, 1960-1962 box 1 folder 20-23
To Andrew Mylett, 1965 October 9 box 1 folder 24
From Alan Oldfield, 1954 June 11 box 1 folder 25
To Mick Richey, 1953, 1965, 1968, 1971 box 1 folder 26
To Kilham Roberts, 1938 November 9 box 1 folder 27
To Alan Ross, 1965 March box 1 folder 28-29
To Clifford Simmons, 1972 December 18 box 1 folder 30
To Hilary Smith, undated box 1 folder 31
To Society of Authors, 1963-1973 box 1 folder 32-37
Copy of a letter to The Tablet, 1961 September 2 box 1 folder 38
To Vernon Watkins, 1953-1964 box 1 folder 39-66
Series II: Literary works, 1939-1976, undated
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 7 - Arrangement
Alphabetical within subseries.
Scope and Contents
Manuscripts, typescripts, galley and page proofs, and some printed copies of many of the shorter literary works, both prose and poetry, of David Jones. Letters that relate directly to these works are also included.
Subseries I: Prose, 1939-1976, undated
Address, University of Wales, manuscript and typescript with box 1 folder 67-69 notes, 1960
"The Ancient Mariner," commentary, 1963 May 9 box 1 folder 70
"Art in Relation to War and Our Present Situation," typescript box 1 folder 71-73 with notes, circa 1943
Autobiography for Mid-Century Authors, manuscripts, box 1 folder 74-76 typescript, and correspondence from John Wakeman, undated
"The Death of Harold," manuscript and typescript, 1966 October box 2 folder 1 29
"The Death of Llywellyn," manuscript, undated box 2 folder 2
"The Dying Gaul," reprint of Jones's BBC radio address, box 2 folder 3 undated
"The Figure of Arthur" by Charles Williams, book review, circa box 2 folder 4 1948
"Hitler Essay," intended for The Tablet, typescripts, 1939 May box 2 folder 5-6 11
Essay on Gerard Manley Hopkins, manuscript draft, undated box 2 folder 7
"A London Artist Looks at Contemporary Wales," manuscript, box 2 folder 8 1959 April 20
MacBeth, eight handwritten quotations, undated box 2 folder 9
"Neither Fire-Light Nor Candle-Light Can Ease My Heart's box 2 folder 10-13 Despair," manuscript, typescript, and clipping from The Catholic Herald, 1960 December 2
"A Note on an Aspect of the Art of England," manuscript, box 2 folder 14 undated
"Notes on the 1930s," manuscript with letter, 1965 February- box 2 folder 15 March
"The Old Girl," play, note by Harman Grisewood, undated box 2 folder 16
Comments on Poetry and Prayer, by William T. Noon, circa box 2 folder 17 1967
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 8 - "Poetry and Religion," manuscripts and edited radio script for box 2 folder 18-20 broadcast on BBC 3, 1962 April
"Description of Project," manuscript of required attachment for box 2 folder 21 an unidentified grant project at the Bollingen Foundation, 1959
"The Roland Epic and Ourselves," galley proofs for The Tablet, box 2 folder 22 undated
"Some Notes on the Difficulties of One Writer of Welsh," box 2 folder 23-24 manuscript and typescript, undated
"Use and Sign," posthumous limited edition pamphlet of a 1962 box 2 folder 25 radio address by Jones, 1975-1976
"Wales and Visual Form," manuscript, undated box 2 folder 27
"Welsh Culture," manuscript, undated box 2 folder 28
"The Welsh Dragon," manuscript, circa 1966 box 2 folder 29-31
Manuscript notes for insertion on "page 36" of unidentified box 2 folder 32-33 work, undated
Notes on word extractions, undated box 2 folder 34
Subseries II: Poetry, circa 1955-1974, undated
"The Book of Balaam's Ass," manuscript, 1974 box 3 folder 1
"The Fatigue," manuscript, uncorrected proof, and copies of box 3 folder 2-4 corrected page-proofs and galleys, circa 1970 box 5 folder 8
"The Fatigue," scripts for BBC radio broadcast, with notes by box 3 folder 5-6 Douglas Cleverton, 1965 March-April
"Have you heard of one Humpty Dumpty," with note by box 3 folder 7 Harmon Grisewood, undated
"The Tutelar of Place" typescript with letter to V. Watkins, 1957 box 3 folder 8 November 22
"The Wall," typescript, corrected text, and proof with typeset box 3 folder 9-11 markings, circa 1955
Series III: Art, 1922-1981 Arrangement
Chronological within subseries.
Subseries I: Original, 1922-1935, undated
"Downs," wood engraving, 1922 box 3 folder 12
"The Game," proof of engraving, 1922 box 3 folder 13
"Officers and Politicians with Map," proof of engraving, 1923 Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 9 - box 3 folder 14
"St. Columba" wood engraving block, circa 1923 box 6
"Epstein and John," proof of engraving, 1924 box 3 folder 15
"Cockerel," proof of engraving, 1925 box 3 folder 16
Gulliver's Travels, three proofs, 1925 box 3 folder 17
"Saint Francis and the Wolf," copper engraving proof, 1925 box 3 folder 18
"The Three Kings," proof of engraving, 1925 box 3 folder 19
The Book of Jonah, proofs of woodcuts, 1926 box 3 folder 20
"Antedilunan Society," proof of woodcut, signed and numbered, box 5 folder 3 1926
"The Wicked Rejoice in the Sun," proof of woodcut, signed, box 5 folder 4 1926
"At Lica Athescy," pencil sketch, 1928 box 3 folder 21
"Preliminary Drawing for Ancient Mariner", pencil sketch, 1928 box 3 folder 22
"Et ovi Vult Accipiat aquam vitae gratis," proof of engraving, box 3 folder 23 1929
Portrait of Petra and Joanna Gill, watercolor, 1929 object painting
The Rime of The Ancient Mariner, 15 engraving proof sheets, box 5 folder 5 1929
"Piper, Sidmouth, April 1935," pen and ink sketch, 1935 box 3 folder 24
Animals, pencil sketches, undated box 3 folder 28
"The Chapel in the Park" watercolor, undated Shared box folder 1 2417
"D.J. for E.G. Troilys," signed pencil sketches, undated box 3 folder 26
"Extensis Manibus Prosequitor" watercolor calligraphy in object ornamental frame, undated Painting 2
Female faces, pencil sketches, undated box 3 folder 29
Man playing cello, pen and ink sketch, with note on reverse, box 3 folder 25 undated
Naked dancer, pencil drawing with limericks, signed "E.G., box 3 folder 27 R.G., M.G., D.J.", undated
Napoleon-type figure, pen and ink sketch (probably box 5 folder 6 Wellington), undated
Puma, pencil drawing, undated box 3 folder 32
Soldier and a woman, pen sketches, undated box 3 folder 30
Standing woman, composite drawing, undated
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 10 - box 3 folder 31
Woman, riding a tiger, with Latin verses, pencil sketches, box 3 folder 33 undated
Woman with a parasol, pen and ink sketch, undated box 5 folder 7
Subseries II: Reproductions, 1925-1981
St. Thomas Aquinas Calendar, 1925 box 3 folder 34
"The Piping Fisherman," with copper engraving, 1927 box 3 folder 35
St. Dominic's Calendar, "Dominican Friar", 1928 box 3 folder 36
"Christmas/Epiphany" card sent to "Waiter at Pigotts,", 1950 box 3 folder 37 January 6
"Angel with Viol," Christmas card, 1961-1962 box 3 folder 38
"Cara Wallia derelicta" watercolor, poster, 1976 Shared box folder 2 2417
The Chester Play of the Deluge, Christmas card with illustration, box 3 folder 39 1980
"The Animals Marching to the Arc," Christmas card, 1980 box 3 folder 40
Tate Gallery exhibition poster with one of Jones's watercolors, Shared box folder 2 1981 2417
Crucifix, photograph by David Jones, undated box 3 folder 41
"The Cultivation of Christmas Trees," by T.S. Eliot, with Jones box 3 folder 42 illustrations, undated
Portrait of Joanna and Petra Gill, photograph of original box 3 folder 43 watercolor, undated
Watercolor and a stone plaque by Eric Gill, Polaroid box 3 folder 44 photographs, undated
Series IV: Ephemera, 1954-1989, undated Arrangement
Chronological.
University of Wales, Swansea, copy of awards ceremony, 1954 box 3 folder 46 July 20
London Guardian, interview with David Jones, 1964 February 17 box 3 folder 47
"The Fatigue," proposal, subscription form, birthday fund for box 3 folder 48 David Jones's 70th birthday, 1965
The London Times, obituary, 1974 October 29 box 3 folder 49
Memorial Mass for David Jones, copy of program, 1974 box 4 folder 1 December 13
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
- Page 11 - Catalogue of exhibitions, Anthony d'Offay gallery , 1975 May- box 4 folder 2 June
H. Grisewood letter to Rene Hague enclosing a transcription of a box 4 folder 3 published letter from Robert Browning and a sketch, 1976 June 21
David Jones Society Newsletter, 1976-1984 box 4 folder 4
Rene Hague and C. Pagnoulle correspondence, 1979 box 4 folder 5
"The Book of Jonah," two prospectus copies with wood box 4 folder 6 engravings, published, 1979
Engravings of David Jones, prospectus copy, 1981 box 5 folder 1
David Jones Exhibition Catalogue, South Bank Centre, 1989 box 5 folder 9
Welsh Arts Council, postcard of David Jones, undated box 4 folder 7
Edgar Hollaway, portrait of David Jones, undated box 5 folder 2
Louis Bannerof, essay on David Jones, undated box 4 folder 8
The Roman Quarry, synopsis, undated box 4 folder 9
"The Fleuron," print of man seated on a stack of books, by Denis box 3 folder 45 Tegetmeier, undated
Boston College Collection of David Jones MS.1986.001
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