Heart of spring. Ordinary edition. Blue cloth.

Component identifier:

Item 18-22

Content Summary:

Five copies, as follows.

(a) Autographed "Shaw Neilson" on verso of half-title. Inserted: Long autograph letter from A.G. Stephens to Shaw Neilson, 2 October 1919, in which he makes references to Heart of Spring. "...Several reviews have come to hand which I will send later. No worthy ones so far. My 'first of Australian poets' has frightened some people. The book has not caught on, but will move slowly. What you have to do is keep writing and increase the BULK for a second edition. There is not quite enough for the price, 5/-, as far as quantity goes, and the burghers have to be trained up to quality. [I presume the spelling of 'burghers' is correct. H.F.C.] Keep an eye out for notices. I missed Australasian, Age, and Argus. Sydney Telegraph has not noticed yet. I went to the Editor and was told he was reserving it for a special laud. ... Bulletin missed too, I believe there was something there but the staff couldn't find it..."

(b) Tipped into this copy is the original receipt given by Shaw Neilson to A.G. Stephens, 13 December 1906, for 12/6, payment for the poems, The Lover Sings, and It is the Last. Both these poems appear in this book. Also inserted is autograph letter from Havelock Ellis to A.G. Stephens, 2 December 1927. "...Sad that literature is not flourishing in Australia. Too much sunshine. I pine for it here. A fireside is probably needed for literature, and sunshine by promoting sociability, diminishes individuality...I should like to see something of Neilson, whom you speak of with such praise...With cordial greetings, Havelock Ellis."

(c) Tipped into this copy is the original receipt given by Shaw Neilson to A.G. Stephens, 11 September 1906, for 20/-, payment for the poems In the Street, The Land Where I was Born, and O, Heart of Spring. The latter did not appear until 1912, when it was published in The Bookfellow. Inserted also is receipt given by Hugh McCrae to A.G. Stephens for 10/-, payment for a parody upon verses by Hebblethwaite, and Neilson, which appeared in The Bookfellow. With this is autograph note by Hugh McCrae: "...Wanting to believe you. So difficult to agree with the conclusion you make. On my own judgement I'd place Neilson before myself - Kenneth Slessor sometimes, sometimes not. Wishing my merit equal to your appreciation I find it hard to agree". This to unknown correspondent.

(d) Inserted is letter (3pp) written at Neilson's dictation by his brother Frank (26 June 1938) to James Devaney, signed "J.S. Neilson". Comments upon copyrights: "Poetry of any "sort is not worth anything commercially, but one likes to own it". Then long commentary upon Hartley Gratton's article on Australian Literature: "...He does not flatter us does he? I get off well enough because I am amongst the five [poets] who are supposed to matter. I think he scarcely does justice to Victor Daley, and Hugh McCrae. He calls them merely 'decorative'. McCrae's music is splendid, and Daley at times conveys deep emotion. Many writers of whom I have never heard are mentioned...Some poets have escaped him altogether. Brunton Stephens, Hebblethwaite, Mary Gilmore, and Kenneth Slessor have all done work which I think should not be ignored...One thing surprises me. Lawson is mentioned but his value as a story teller and writer of sketches is not stressed...Hartley Grattan is, I think, an American and he is therefore handicapped severely. I suppose he has a fine knowledge of literature outside our land. That may be the reason that in verse he leans towards the scholars..."

(e) Inserted is autograph letter from A.G. Stephens, 29 July 1915, to Neilson, whom he addresses as "Mr Neilson". Letter refers to the agreement for Heart of Spring, the signed copy of which he acknowledges. "...Glad you write cheerfully...I enclose your copy of agreement. I hope to do better than that; anyway, you will get a fair deal. I'm clear about the book if we can get enough to fill it. Will want time and pains on both sides. If you send your rough notes of verse, I will return with suggestions: sometimes two heads are better than one. A.G.S."

Note: In copies "a", "b" and "e" the title upon cover is in Old English face. The other copies carry type similar to "Cheltenham". In all. these copies, also the Limited issues, the page 39 is mounted on a stub.

Names:

John Shaw Neilson

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