Collection ID: LMC 1985
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Finlay, Ian Hamilton, 1925-2006
Abstract:
The Stanford mss., ca. 1945-1969, consist of the letters of Ian Hamilton Finlay, 1925-2006, poet, to Derek Stanford, 1918-2008, poet, including a number of undated incomplete letters covering the early years of their friendship, some writings by Finlay and Stanford, and a drawing by Finlay.
Extent:
0.2 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Item], Stanford mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

An influential proponent of concrete poetry, Finlay moved from solely literary forms of poetry, drama, and short stories in the 1950s to kinetic forms of poetry expressed in stone, wood, neon and other tangible structures in the 1960s. Boats and boating, sails and the sea were used by Finlay to suggest poetic ideas in many of his poems such as "Archangel of Archangel," "Boatyard," "Four Sails," "The Four Seasons...," "Homage to Gomringer," "Little Drummer Boy," "The Old Nobby," "Seashells," "Sepia Barge," and others. Sundials were used in like manner as in "Arcadian Sundials," "Biggar Sundial," and "Land/Sea Indoor Sundial." Letters exchanged with woodcarvers, stone carvers, photographers, typographers, printers, and artists give the instructions for the creation of many of his works. A book of poems, Poems to See and Hear, was prepared especially to introduce to children Finlay's poetic concepts. During 1968 to 1971 there was much work by Films of Scotland in the preparation of the films Ocean Stripe 5 and KY 365 based on Finlay's life and poetry.

Following an agreement with the Fulcrum Press in June 1968 to publish an edition of The Dancers Inherit the Party, a controversy developed over the next several years concerning the first appearance of the work. This involved lengthy correspondence with solicitors, members of parliament, librarians, staffs of magazines, newspapers, arts councils, and literary organizations as well as close friends and poets.

Derek Stanford, 1918-2008, was an essayist, poet, and biographer. Born in Lampton, Middlesex, he attended Upper Latymer School in London. He served in the Non-Combatant Corps as a conscientious objector during World War II. He and Muriel Spark were lovers and together cowrote several critical works on Romantic poets, and his memoir, Inside the Forties, describes their literary circle. He is the author of John Betjeman: A Study (1961). He was married twice, first to Margaret Holdsworth, poet, who published under Margaret Philips, and later to poet Julie Whitby.

Scope and Content:

The Stanford mss., ca. 1945-1969, consist of the letters of Ian Hamilton Finlay, 1925-2006, poet, to Derek Stanford, 1918-2008, poet, including a number of undated incomplete letters covering the early years of their friendship, some writings by Finlay and Stanford, and a drawing by Finlay. Ian Hamilton Finlay and Derek Stanford met in 1945 while serving in a Non-Combatant Army Corps. Following Stanford's discharge in October, 1945, they wrote to each other frequently between 1945 and 1956. The correspondence was resumed in 1967.

The letters give an account of the poverty endured by Finlay, the stress which his hardship placed upon his marriage, and his deep concern for art which evolved into Concrete Poetry. Some of the letters are written on odd pieces of paper or upon the backs of letters addressed to him.

Included among the letters is a card from Finlay's wife, Sue in December, 1967; a fragment of a letter from "Dad" on the verso of "am now in receipt of 2 missives...," n.d., incomplete; from Julian on the verso of the Officer-Finlay [dialogue], n.d., incomplete; and from an unidentified writer of an autobiographical novel "No Other Conflict" on the verso of Les Arches Hotel, Jersey, stationery, n.d., complete.

Writings by Finlay include: Autobahn Aesthetic, n.d., T.D., 3pp., 25cm.; Officer-Finlay [dialogue], n.d., A.D., 1p., 20cm., in pencil, accompanied by note in ink by Derek Stanford; Jimmy, n.d., T.D., 2pp., 25cm.

Writings by Stanford include: Poems in Stones: The Art of Ian Hamilton Finlay [broadcast], 1968, Aug. 21, T.D. (carbon), 3pp., 25cm.; Six Sere Tributes from my artificial garden for my friend Ian in fun, n.d., A.D., 4pp., 18cm., in pencil. With the writings is a contract signed by Derek Stanford with the British Broadcasting Corporation to read a talk on "Concrete Poetry," Aug. 29, 1968.

Included is a folder containing descriptive material about Finlay written by Stanford and a black and white drawing in ink by Finlay entitled A Northern Town, n.d., 14cm.

Printed materials include 1) clippings about Finlay's work: "The last word in poetry" by Elizabeth Glazebrook in The Daily Telegraph Magazine, Aug. 16, 1968; "Poems in Stone" by Derek Stanford in the Tribune, Aug. 30, 1968; "Ian Hamilton Finlay: Portrait of a poet" by Allen Wright in The Scotsman, Jan. 18, 1969, enclosed with Finlay to Stanford, Jan. 1969; 2) poem cards designed by Finlay and used as postal cards: Sea-poppy 1 (fishing boat letters and numbers) 1968, Oct. 22; Sea-poppy 2 (fishing boat names) 1968, Aug. 30; "Heavy Fishing Loses Nets," 1968, Dec. 19; Anchor of Hope, Daisy, Good Design and Be in Time, Fruitful Vine, 1968, July 16 (set of 2 cards).

Acquisition information:
Acquired: Purchase. 1971, 1972.
Physical location:
Lilly - Stacks

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

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TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Stanford mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu