Catalogue of letters from Philip Larkin to Monica Jones, 1946-84

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kate Longworth and Judith Priestman

2010

Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts
Bodleian Library
Broad Street
Oxford
OX1 3BG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 277152
Fax: +44 (0) 1865 277187
E-mail: enquiries.sc@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/collections

Table of Contents

Introduction
A    Correspondence, 1946-84
B    Undated Correspondence
C    Undated Greetings Cards
D    Damaged letters, postcards and greetings cards
E    Miscellaneous Papers of Monica Jones
F    Photographs

Letters from Philip Larkin to Monica Jones, 1946-84

Abstract:
Letters from Philip Larkin, poet and librarian, to Monica Jones, teacher and academic, sent between 1946 and 1984.

Shelfmarks: MSS. Eng. b. 2148; c. 7403-48, c. 7553-5, MS. Photogr. c. 459

Extent: 52 shelfmarks

Biographical History

For Philip Larkin, see the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. See also Andrew Motion, Philip Larkin: A Writer's Life, (London, 1993).

Margaret Monica Beale Jones, teacher and academic, was born in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire 7 May 1922, and died in Hull, Yorkshire 15 February 2001. Jones, to whom Larkin dedicated The Less Deceived in 1955, was perhaps that poet’s most enduring and influential companion.

After attending the girls' high school at Kidderminster, Jones won a scholarship to read English at St Hugh's College, Oxford. After a short time as a schoolteacher she moved to Leicester in 1946 to take up an assistant lectureship at the University College of Leicester (later Leicester University) which she held until 1981.

It was here that Jones met Larkin when in 1946 he took up a position in the college’s library. From 1950, when Larkin left Leicester to take up an appointment at the Queen’s University Library, and 1973, when both Jones and Larkin apparently acquired telephones, the pair maintained a regular correspondence. Upon leaving her position at Leicester in 1981 Jones moved into Larkin’s house in Hull, where she lived until her death in 2001.

The relationship between Larkin and Jones is described in Andrew Motion's 1993 biography of Larkin. Fictional representations of Jones appear in Kingsley Amis’s Lucky Jim (Margaret Peel), and Eating People Is Wrong (Viola Masefield) by Malcolm Bradbury, a former student.

Scope and Content

The collection comprises A. Dated correspondence arranged chronologically, mainly letters and postcards, some enclosing photographs and/or cuttings, sent between 1946 and 1984; B. Undated correspondence, including postcards, notelets, letters, gift tags, annotated cuttings, photographs and other enclosures; C. Undated greetings cards for various occasions, many sent as if from rabbits and other animals; D. Severely damaged items, mainly letters, postcards and greetings cards; E. Miscellaneous items of Monica Jones's, including letters and postcards from Jones to Larkin, cuttings etc. probably sent by or relating to Larkin, personal and official correspondences and ephemera; F. Photographs, mostly taken by Larkin, but also including photographs of him.

Acquisition

Acquired via Bernard Quaritch in 2006, with the support of K. Grahame Fund, V&A Purchase Fund, Friends of the National Libraries, St John's College, All Souls College, and Friends of the Bodleian.

Restrictions on Use

Note that a box of damaged items [MS. Eng. c. 7447] is restricted and photocopies are issued in its place. Photocopies of original photographs are issued in the first instance (see section F).

Preferred Form of Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Library [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Eng. c. 7403, fols. 1-2].

Personal names (NCA Rules)

Jones | Monica Margaret Beal | 1922-2001 | lecturer in English
Larkin | Philip Arthur | 1922-1985 | poet

Corporate names (NCA Rules)

University of Leicester
Queen's University Belfast
University of Hull
Faber & Faber, publishers
Marvell Press, publishers

Subjects (LCSH)

Poets, English -- 20th century -- Correspondence

A   Correspondence, 1946-84


Scope and Content:

The photographs listed here are photocopies in monochrome; the original photographs are at MS. Photogr. c. 459 (see section F).


Correspondence, Dec. 1946-Nov. 1950
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7403
Extent: 137 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 2-3) letter discussing reviews of Jill, 21 Dec. 1946.
  • (fols. 11-12) letter informing Jones of the death of Larkin's father, 4 Apr. 1948.
  • (fols. 100-29) letters discussing preparation of XX Poems for publication, 1-20 Nov. 1950.

Correspondence, Nov. 1950-Feb. 1951
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7404
Extent: 134 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-4) letter responding to Jones's comments on a draft copy of XX Poems, 26 Nov. 1950.
  • (fols. 60-4, 70-5) 2 letters containing early draft of portions of 'Next, Please', 6, 17 Jan. 1951.
  • (fols. 76-9, 95-9) 2 letters discussing preparation of XX Poems for publication, 16, 31 Jan. 1951.
  • (fols. 106-16) 2 letters discussing the publication of XX Poems, 11, 14 Feb. 1951.
  • (fols. 110a-b) 2 photocopies of photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 1-2) of Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, both annotated by Larkin, encl. with letter, 11 Feb. 1951.

Correspondence, Mar.-Aug. 1951
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7405
Extent: 134 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 33-5) letter discussing correction of proofs of XX Poems, 18 Apr. 1951.
  • (fols. 40-2) letter enclosing copy of XX poems, 28 Apr. 1951
  • (fols. 51) postcard thanking Jones for comments on XX Poems, [franked] 9 May 1951.
  • (fols. 52-4, 58-64) 2 letters discussing XX Poems, 18, 23 May 1951.
  • (fol. 71) photocopy of photograph (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fol. 3) of Larkin, encl. with letter, 30 May 1951.
  • (fols. 92-5, 107-10, 121-5, 127-30) letters discussing reception of copies of XX Poems circulated by Larkin, 18 June, 5 July, 11, 18 Aug. 1951.

Correspondence, Sept. 1951-Jan. 1952
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7406
Extent: 113 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-5, 67-72, 79-83) letters discussing reviews of XX Poems, 1 Sept., 5, 22 Nov. 1951.
  • (fols. 39-51) 2 letters containing brief outline of a draft novel, 6, 15 Oct. 1951 (see Larkin, Trouble at Willow Gables and Other Fictions, ed. James Booth, 2002).
  • (fols. 46-51) letter enclosing (fol. 50) TS. draft of 'March Past', 15 Oct. 1951.
  • (fols. 82a-c) photocopies of three interior photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 4-6) of Larkin's living quarters in Belfast, annotated by him, encl. with letter 22 Nov. 1951.

Correspondence, Jan.-Nov. 1952
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7407
Extent: 145 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 38-40) letter indicating that a draft novel has been abandoned, 12 Mar. 1952.
  • (fols. 116-19) letter quoting 'The moon is full tonight' and 'The bottle is drunk out by one', and reflecting on writer's block, 28 Oct. 1952.

Correspondence, Nov. 1952-Aug. 1954
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7408
Extent: 131 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 5-8) letter discussing Larkin's inclusion in Springtime anthology, no. 1, eds G.S. Fraser and Iain Fletcher, 1953, 3 Dec. 1952.
  • (fols. 21-4) letter discussing payment from the BBC for their use of poem XIV, 'If my darling were once to decide,' from XX Poems, 24 June 1953.
  • (fols. 33-6) letter discussing reviews of the Springtime anthology (see n. fols. 5-8), 7 July 1953.
  • (fols. 55-61, 66-70) letter reflecting on lack of recent literary output, 7, 14 Aug. 1953.
  • (fol. 111) letter mentioning preparation of some poems for submission to the Dolmen Press, [franked] 22 June 1954.
  • (fols. 113-19, 120-31) letter enclosing and further letter discussing copy of 'Church Going', [enclosure not present] 3, 10 Aug. 1954.

Correspondence, Aug.-Nov. 1954
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7409
Extent: 115 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-13) letter discussing comments received from Kingsley Amis on poems submitted to the Dolmen Press (see MS. Eng. c. 7408, fol. 111), particularly 'Church Going', 16 Aug. 1954.
  • (fols. 31-7) letter discussing submission of three poems to the editors of the P.E.N. anthology New Poems, 1955, 29 Aug. 1954.
  • (fols. 42-7) letter discussing entries in Larkin's diary, 13 Sept. 1954.
  • (fols. 49-54) letter discussing advertisement of the post of Librarian at the University of Hull, 23 Sept. 1954.
  • (fol. 67-73) postcard and letter discussing rejection of poems submitted to the Dolmen Press, [franked] 6, 10 Oct. 1954.
  • (fols. 68-78) letters and postcard mentioning application for post of Librarian at the University of Hull, 10, [franked] 18, 18 Oct. 1954.
  • (fols. 101-15) letters and postcards discussing interview for and subsequent appointment to post of Librarian at the University of Hull, 11, 14, 23, 23, 28 Nov. 1954.
  • (fols. 103-7) letter discussing draft of 'Myxomatosis', 14 Nov. 1954.

Correspondence, Dec. 1954-May 1955
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7410
Extent: 125 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 3-8) letter mentioning publication in the P.E.N. anthology New Poems, 1955, and invitation to review for the Manchester Guardian, 7 Dec. 1954.
  • (fols. 14-16) letter mentioning approach from George Hartley (editor of Listen and proprietor of the Hessle-based Marvell Press) with regards to publishing a volume of Larkin's poetry [subsequently published as The Less Deceived, 1955], 20 Dec. 1954.
  • (fols. 21-2) greetings card containing TS poem 'Christmas', n.d., 'Christmas 1954'.
  • (fols. 23-33) letters discussing publication of The Less Deceived, the volume title and dedication to Monica Jones, 8, 16 Jan. 1955.
  • (fols. 88-95) letter discussing provision of titles for poems in The Less Deceived, 8 Apr. 1955.
  • (fols. 96-8) letter mentioning possible inclusion in New Lines (ed. Robert Conquest, London: MacMillan, 1956), and Poets of the 1950s (ed. D.J. Enright, Tokyo: Kenkyusha Ltd, 1955), 14 Apr. 1955.

Correspondence, May-Aug. 1955
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7411
Extent: 127 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 11 ff.) letters discussing plans for a new library building at the University of Hull, 9 May 1955 ff.
  • (fols. 25-9) letter mentioning meeting with George Hartley and drawing up of contracts with the Marvell Press for The Less Deceived, 23 May 1955.
  • (fols. 45-57) letter discussing draft of discarded poem, "How we behave, I find increasingly...", 3 June 1955
  • (fols. 91-6, 98-102) 2 letters discussing final copies of The Less Deceived, one enclosing subscription form [encl. not present], 3, 9 July 1955.
  • (fols. 103-7, 113-20) 2 letters containing details of some of the first to order copies of The Less Deceived, incl. Norman Nicholson and Richard Hoggart, 12, 22 July 1955.

Correspondence, Aug. 1955-Feb. 1956
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7412
Extent: 138 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-12) letter containing further discussion of early sales of The Less Deceived, 6 Aug. 1955.
  • (fols. 29-33) letter discussing proofs of Larkin's contributions to New Lines (ed. Robert Conquest, London: MacMillan, 1956), 7 Sept. 1955.
  • (fols. 72-5) letter discussing publication of The Less Deceived, 26 Oct. 1955.
  • (fols. 76-81) letter discussing payment for Poets of the 1950s and The Less Deceived, 29 Oct. 1955.
  • (fols. 98 ff.) letters discussing first copies of The Less Deceived; production, distribution, reception etc., 24 Nov. 1955.
  • (fol. 116) postcard mentioning reception of The Less Deceived, including a letter from T.S. Eliot, 4 Jan. 1956.

Correspondence, Feb.-July 1956
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7413
Extent: 129 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 10-31) postcard and letters with draft and discussion of 'An Arundel Tomb', [franked] 12, 22, 26 Feb. 1956.
  • (fols. 11-15) letter discussing contract with the Marvell Press for The Less Deceived, 22 Feb. 1956.
  • (fols. 22-3) TS drafts with pencil markings of 'An Arundel Tomb' and 'Two Winter Pieces', encl. with letter of 26 Feb. 1956.
  • (fols. 28-34) letter mentioning critical response to The Less Deceived, 5 Mar. 1956.
  • (fols. 56-62) letter mentioning publication in May 1956 issue of The London Magazine, in section on 'Young English Poets', 11 Apr. 1956.
  • (fols. 115-20) letter containing brief excerpts from juvenilia, 12 June 1956.

Correspondence, July-Nov. 1956
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7414
Extent: 123 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 57-63) letter mentioning reissue of A Girl in Winter, and settlement of account for The Less Deceived, 10 Sept., 1956.
  • (fol. 48) photocopy of a photograph (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fol. 7) of a rabbit, encl. with letter, 28 Aug. 1956.
  • (fols. 72-5) letter containing draft and discussion of "The local snivels through the fields", 27 Sept. 1956.

Correspondence, Nov. 1956-May 1957
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7415
Extent: 136 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 12-18) letter containing short unpublished poem (Villanelle: "Why don't you have a go") and discussion of 'An Arundel Tomb', 4 Dec. 1956.
  • (fols. 115-18) letter mentioning increasing commissions for jazz reviews, 25 Mar. 1957.
  • (fols. 122-30) letter mentioning May issue of The London Magazine, containing a contribution by Larkin to a section on 'The Writer in His Age', 9 Apr. 1957.

Correspondence, May-Oct. 1957
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7416
Extent: 134 leaves

Correspondence, Oct. 1957-Mar. 1958
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7417
Extent: 134 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 32-8) letter mentioning invitation from Penelope Scott Stokes to attend meeting of the Writers' Circle of Chichester. Also mentioning George Hartley's plan to reissue Jill at the Marvell Press, 9 Nov. 1957.
  • (fol. 111) photocopy of a photograph (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fol. 8) of items relating to production of The Boy Friend at Wyndham's Theatre, encl. with letter 8 Feb. 1958.
  • (fols. 119-25) letters discussing editorship of the P.E.N. Club's New Poems 1958 with Bonamy Dobree and Louis MacNeice, 24 Feb., 6 Mar. 1958.

Correspondence, Mar.-Oct. 1958
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7418
Extent: 131 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 19-24) letter and postcard discussing editorship of the P.E.N. Club's New Poems 1958 with Bonamy Dobree and Louis MacNeice, also relations with the Marvell Press, 27, [franked] 27 Apr. 1958.
  • (fols. 35-40, 51-3, 69-72, 90-4, 105-9, 115-18, 122-6) letters discussing the composition of 'The Whitsun Weddings', 12 May, 16 June, 29 July, 1, 22 Sept., 8, 18 Oct.1958.
  • (fols. 90-9) letters mentioning George Hartley's plans to make a sound recording of Larkin reading from The Less Deceived, 7 Sept. 1958.
  • (fols. 105-9) letter with quotes from 'Gathering Wood' and some general comments on Larkin's early poetry, 22 Sept. 1958.
  • (fols. 110-13, 115-18) letter mentioning correspondence with the Times Literary Supplement concerning the solicitation by libraries of manuscripts from writers, 29 Sept. 1958.

Correspondence, Nov. 1958-June 1959
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7419
Extent: 132 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-8) letters mentioning the Marvell Press sound recording of Larkin reading from The Less Deceived, 7 Sept. 1958.
  • (fols. 15-20) letter discussing the writing of 'The Whitsun Weddings', 15 Nov.1958.
  • (fols. 48-50) letter with draft of 'Far Out' (markedly different to the published version), 11 Jan. 1959.
  • (fols. 114-16) letter mentioning correspondence received upon publication of 'The Whitsun Weddings', 21 May 1959.

Correspondence, June 1959-Jan. 1960
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7420
Extent: 131 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 87-9) letter mentioning that Louis MacNeice had told Larkin of the term 'The Movement', 19 Nov. 1959.

Correspondence, Jan.-Sept. 1960
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7421
Extent: 135 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 117-21) letter discussing Larkin's experience of writer's block, 15 Aug. 1960.
  • (fols. 125-9) letter discussing composition of 'A Study of Reading Habits', 22 Aug. 1960.

Correspondence, Sept. 1960-Mar. 1961
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7422
Extent: 129 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 19-21) letter mentioning US publication of The Less Deceived, 11 Oct. 1960.
  • (fols. 88-91) letter enclosing and discussing composition and reception of 'Naturally the Foundation will Bear Your Expenses' [enclosure not present], 11 Feb. 1961.
  • (fols. 94-8) letter enclosing cutting of interview with Larkin from Hull student newspaper, Torchlight, 23 Feb. 1961.
  • (fols. 108-17) letter discussing Larkin's diaries and his desire to see them destroyed, 11 Mar. 1961.

Correspondence, Mar.-Oct. 1961
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7423
Extent: 127 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 51-3) letter discussing reception of 'Naturally the Foundation will Bear Your Expenses', 11 June 1961.

Correspondence, Oct. 1961-May 1962
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7424
Extent: 131 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 61-4) letter mentioning Larkin's election to the Poetry Panel of the Arts Council and their first subsequent meeting, 13 Jan. 1962.

Correspondence, May-Dec. 1962
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7425
Extent: 125 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 106-8) letter discussing revisions to 'Toads', 22 Nov. 1962.

Correspondence, Jan.-Aug. 1963
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7426
Extent: 124 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 52-5, 71-3) letters mentioning Faber publishing Jill and further dealings with George Hartley and the Marvell Press, 13 Mar. 1963.
  • (fols. 97-100) letter discussing preparation of The Whitsun Weddings for Faber, 13 June 1963.
  • (fols. 106-8) letter discussing contract terms with Faber, 3 July 1963.
  • (fols. 111-13) letter discussing Larkin's introduction to new Faber edition of Jill, 4 Aug. 1963.

Correspondence, Aug. 1963-Apr. 1964
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7427
Extent: 128 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 4-7, 34-7) letter discussing Larkin's introduction to new Faber edition of Jill, 31 Aug., 28 Oct. 1963.
  • (fols. 11-13) letter discussing time pressures resulting from Larkin's reviewing output, particularly for the Daily Telegraph, 17 Sept. 1963.
  • (fol. 17) postcard mentioning Larkin's formal welcome to the Faber list by T.S. Eliot at the publisher's London offices, [franked] 2 Oct. 1963.
  • (fols. 79-81) letter comparing The Less Deceived with The Whitsun Weddings, 4 Feb. 1964.
  • (fols. 96-100) letters discussing reception of The Whitsun Weddings, 19 Feb. 1964.
  • (fol. 122) photocopy of a photograph (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fol. 9) of Monica Jones, encl. with letter, 19 Mar. 1964.

Correspondence, Apr.-Sept. 1964
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7428
Extent: 129 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 11-14) letter discussing 'Broadcast', 27 Apr. 1964.
  • (fols. 33-6) letter discussing 'An Arundel Tomb', 19 May 1964.
  • (fols. 38-9) letter discussing meeting of the National Manuscripts Collection of Contemporary Poets (NMCCP) committee, 22 May 1964.

Correspondence, Oct. 1964-Feb. 1965
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7429
Extent: 135 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 23-5) letter discussing sales figures and royalty settlements with Faber, 4 Nov. 1964.
  • (fols. 133-4) letter enclosing TS draft of 'Laboratory Monkeys', 24 Feb. 1965.

Correspondence, Feb.-July 1965
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7430
Extent: 126 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 43a-f) photocopies of 6 photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 10-15) of various subjects, five (43a-d, f) featuring Monica Jones, encl. with letter, 30 Apr. 1965.
  • (fols. 49-52, 80-2) letters mentioning the Fortune Press's republishing of The North Ship, 13 May, 10 June 1965.
  • (fols. 68-71) letter mentioning Faber readvertising The Whitsun Weddings on the strength of it being awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry, 1965, 26 May 1965.
  • (fols. 72-4) letter mentioning sales of Larkin's sound recording for the Marvell Press of The Less Deceived, 30 May 1965.

Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1965
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7431
Extent: 110 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-4) letter discussing Larkin's correspondence with the Times Literary Supplement on the subject of anthology fees, 17 Aug. 1965.
  • (fols. 31-6) letter discussing the process whereby The Whitsun Weddings was awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry, 1965, 14 Aug. 1965.
  • (fols. 83-6) letter mentioning correspondence with Oxford University Press concerning the editorship of the Oxford Book of Modern Verse [published as the Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century English Verse, 1973], 16 Nov. 1965.

Correspondence, Dec. 1965-Apr. 1966
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7432
Extent: 123 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 25-6) letter discussing preparation of The North Ship for reissue by Faber, in light of the Fortune Press's reprinting of the same, 12 Jan. 1966.
  • (fols. 35-42, 116-18) letters mentioning Larkin's acceptance of the editorship of the Oxford Book of Modern [later Twentieth-Century] Verse, 19 Jan. 1966.

Correspondence, Apr.-Sept. 1966
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7433
Extent: 118 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 21a-f; 22a-f; 23a-f; 24a-e) photocopies of 23 photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 16-38) of various subjects, four (21 a & d; 23 a & e) featuring Monica Jones and one (21c) featuring Larkin on his 45th birthday, encl. with letter, 9 May 1966.
  • (fols. 53-6) letter discussing the task of editing the Oxford Book of Modern [later Twentieth-Century] Verse, 4 June 1966.
  • (fols. 82-5) letter mentioning new edition of The Less Deceived, 3 July 1966.
  • (fols. 114-18) letter reflecting on The North Ship on the event of its reissue, 6 Sept. 1966.

Correspondence, Sept. 1966-Apr. 1967
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7434
Extent: 129 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 3-5, 22-3) postcard and letters commenting on the reception of The North Ship on the event of its reissue, [franked] 14, 15 Sept., 6 Oct. 1966.

Correspondence, Apr.-Oct. 1967
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7435
Extent: 122 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 39-43) letter containing draft and discussion of 'The Trees', 3 June 1967.
  • (fols. 92a-f; 93a-f) photocopies of 12 colour photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 39-50) of various subjects, two (92a & b) featuring Monica Jones, encl. with letter, 3 Sept. 1967.

Correspondence, Oct. 1967-Mar. 1968
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7436
Extent: 127 leaves

Scope and Content:
  • (fols. 35a-f) photocopies of 6 colour photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 51-6) of various subjects, two (35e & f) featuring Monica Jones, encl. with letter, 12 Nov. 1967.
  • (fols. 89a-f; 90a-c) photocopies of 9 photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 57-65) of various subjects, two (89b & c) featuring Monica Jones, encl. with letter, 10 Feb. 1968.

Correspondence, Mar.-Sept. 1968
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7437
Extent: 134 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 12-18) two letters discussing 'Sad Steps', TS draft enclosed with second, 24, 28 Apr. 1968.
  • (fols. 20-8, 30-3, 59-63) letters discussing Larkin's feelings on being offered and then turning down an O.B.E., 1, 4, 7 May, 7 June 1968.
  • (fols. 37-40) letter mentioning publication of 'The Trees' in the Times Literary Supplement, 18 May 1968.

Correspondence, Sept. 1968-Feb. 1969
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7438
Extent: 129 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 32-4, 39-42, 50-3) letters discussing preparation of All What Jazz for publication, 28 Oct., 7, 16 Nov. 1968.
  • (fol. 64, 67-73, 117-20) letters mentioning Larkin's honorary doctorate from Queen's University, Belfast, 2, 5 Dec. 1968, 9 Feb. 1969.
  • (fols. 91-102, 114-6) letters discussing publication and reception of 'Homage to a Government', 12, 15, 21, 23, 23 Jan., 6 Feb. 1969.

Correspondence, Feb.-Aug. 1969
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7439
Extent: 127 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fol. 30) photocopy of a passport-size photograph (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fol. 66) of Larkin, encl. with letter, 4 Apr. 1969.
  • (fols. 61-4) letter mentioning reception of Larkin's jazz reviews, 21 May 1969
  • (fols. 87-9) letter reflecting on the possibility of Larkin being offered the post of Poet Laureate in the future, 22 June 1969.
  • (fols. 124-5) letters discussing preparation of All What Jazz for publication, 15 Aug. 1969.

Correspondence, Sept. 1969-Mar. 1970
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7440
Extent: 124 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 2a-f; 3a-f; 4a-f; 5) photocopies of 19 photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 67-85) of various scenes, eight (2d-f; 3e; 4d-f; 5) featuring Monica Jones and one (2b) featuring Larkin in academic dress, encl. with letter, 18 Sept. 1969.
  • (fols. 33-6) letter discussing the task of editing the Oxford Book of Modern [later Twentieth-Century] Verse, 26 Oct. 1969.
  • (fols. 61-5) letter enclosing photocopy of TS draft, 'Holiday', 3 Dec. 1969.
  • (fols. 78-80, 83-5) letters discussing and enclosing photocopy of TS draft, 'The Explosion', 6, 11 Jan. 1970.

Correspondence, Mar.-Oct. 1970
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7441
Extent: 134 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 20-1) letter mentioning outstanding application for fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, 16 Apr. 1970.
  • (fols. 64-9, 82-3) letters discussing composition and publication by Encounter of 'Dublinesque' and 'The Card Players', 7, 11 June 1970.
  • (fols. 70-3, 80-3) letter discussing publication of 'The Explosion' by the Poem-of-the-Month Club, 14 June 1970.
  • (fol. 109) photocopy of a colour photograph (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fol. 86) of Larkin on his 48th birthday, encl. with letter, 30 Aug. 1970.
  • (fols. 119ff.) letters and postcards written during the term of Larkin's visiting fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, 16 Sep. 1970ff.

Correspondence, Oct. 1970-May 1971
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7442
Extent: 128 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-84) letters and postcards written during the term of Larkin's visiting fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, 4 Oct. 1970-19 Mar. 1971.
  • (fols. 30-1) letter mentioning preparation of volume of poetry [later High Windows] for publication, 13 Nov. 1970.
  • (fols. 74-80, 126-7) letters and a greetings card discussing the task of editing the Oxford Book of Modern [later Twentieth-Century] Verse, 14, 17 Jan., 5 May 1971.
  • (fols. 102-7, 109-11) letters discussing and enclosing TS draft of 'This Be The Verse', 14, 18 Apr. 1971.
  • (fols. 105a-g) photocopies of 7 photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459, fols. 87-93) of Dublin in the 1950s, fols. 105b-d featuring Monica Jones, encl. with letter, 14 Apr. 1971.

Correspondence, May-Nov. 1971
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7443
Extent: 130 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 46-8, 69-72, 79-81, 120-2) letters discussing the task of editing the Oxford Book of Modern [later Twentieth-Century] Verse, 7 July, 1, 22 Aug., 14 Nov. 1971.
  • (fols. 68-72) letters discussing and enclosing cutting of 'Cut Grass' as published in the Listener, 29 July, 1 Aug. 1971.

Correspondence, Dec. 1971-Oct. 1972
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7444
Extent: 131 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 32-3) letter in which Larkin reflects upon his own poetic style, 23 Jan. 1972.
  • (fol. 94) postcard mentioning preparation of volume of poetry [later High Windows] for publication, 12 June 1972.

Correspondence, Oct. 1972-Apr. 1984
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7445
Extent: 93 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 7-11) letter discussing the task of editing the Oxford Book of Modern [later Twentieth-Century] Verse, 14 Jan. 1973.
  • (fol. 54) postcard with draft of 'Long Lion Days', [franked] 22 July 1982.

B   Undated Correspondence

Shelfmarks: MS. Eng. c. 7446


Scope and Content:

The photographs listed here are photocopies in monochrome; the original photographs are at MS. Photogr. c. 459 (see section F).


Undated Correspondence, [1950-82] and n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7446
Extent: 147 leaves

Scope and Content:
  • (fol. i) A list of Monica Jones's addresses, 1950-83, compiled by Judith Priestman
  • (fols. 1-42) Postcards dated approximately by postage rate:
    • (fols. 1-2) 1950-2
    • (fols.3-5) 1952-7
    • (fols. 6-17) 1957-65, fol. 6 not from Larkin
    • (fols. 18-31)1965-8
    • (fol. 32-6) 1968-71
    • (fol. 37) 1971-4
    • (fol. 38) 1974-5
    • (fol. 39) 1975-7
    • (fol. 40) 1981-2
    • (fols. 41-2) 1981-2
  • (fols. 43-141) Other undated correspondences and enclosures:
    • (fols. 43-54) Undated postcards, fol. 43 not from Larkin
    • (fols. 55-79) Undated notelets, letters and cards.
    • (fols. 80-2) Pages from letters that are missing remaining portions.
    • (fols. 83-96) Miscellaneous undated correspondences and enclosures.
    • (fols. 97-119) Gift tags.
    • (fols. 120-2) TS drafts of 'The Life With A Hole In It' and 'To The Sea'.
    • (fols. 123-8) Photocopies of 31 photographs (MS. Photogr. c. 459. fols. 94-124)
      • (fols. 123a-b) Two of Larkin and Jones together.
      • (fols. 123c-d) Two of Larkin, fol. 123c sitting on the England border sign at Coldstream, 1962.
      • (fols. 124a-125b) Eight of Jones.
      • (fols. 125c-128c) Nineteen of miscellaneous subjects.
    • (fols. 129-47) TS Brochure, 'The University's Library'. Presumably written by Larkin and forwarded to Jones. Designed 'to explain something of [The University of Hull] Library policy and practice for those who are using it for teaching and research and who therefore have a voice in its development'.

C   Undated Greetings Cards

Shelfmarks: MSS. Eng. b. 2148; c. 7553-5


Scope and Content:

Many of the cards are annotated by Larkin.

Arrangement: Arranged by occasion, and theme.

Christmas cards, n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7553
Extent: 115 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-71) Christmas cards, signed.
  • (fols. 72-89) Christmas cards written as if from rabbits ('The Warren').
  • (fols. 90-5) Fox-themed Christmas cards written as if from 'Brush Bros'.
  • (fols. 96-115) Cat-themed Christmas cards written as if from 'G.F. Pussy'.

Christmas and birthday cards, n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7554
Extent: 105 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-18) Cat-themed Christmas cards written as if from 'G.F. Pussy'.
  • (fols. 19-42) Bird-themed Christmas cards written as if from 'The Club'.
  • (fols. 43-90) Birthday cards, signed. At fol. 82v ('Priam winning the Gold Cup') is a manuscript poem "Those long thin steeds".
  • (fols. 91-105) Cat-themed birthday cards written as if from 'G.F. Pussy'.

Birthday cards, n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. b. 2148
Extent: 110 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-14) Birthday cards written as if from various animals.
  • (fols. 15-34) Bird-themed birthday cards written as if from 'The Club'.
  • (fols. 35-84) Birthday cards written as if from rabbits.
  • (fols. 85-110) Cat-themed birthday cards written as if from 'G.F. Pussy'.

Birthday and other greetings cards, n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7555
Extent: 107 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-8) Fox-themed birthday cards written as if from 'Brush Bros'.
  • (fols. 9-20) Birthday cards written as if from Ted Hughes, Robert Lowell and others.
  • (fols. 21-8) Unsigned humorous birthday cards.
  • (fols. 29-42) General greetings cards, signed.
  • (fols. 43-9) General greetings cards, unsigned.
  • (fols. 50-3) Easter cards, signed.
  • (fols. 54-66) Valentine's Day cards, signed.
  • (fols. 67-78) Fox-themed general greetings cards written as if from 'Brush Bros'.
  • (fols. 79-84) Bird-themed general greetings cards written as if from 'The Club'.
  • (fols. 85-105) General greetings cards written as if from rabbits.
  • (fols. 106-7) General greetings card from 'Seal'.

D   Damaged letters, postcards and greetings cards

Shelfmarks: MS. Eng. c. 7447*


Photocopies of damaged letters, postcards and greetings cards
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7447*
Extent: 145 leaves
Restrictions on Access: Note: the original items are restricted from use = MS. Cons. Res.

E   Miscellaneous Papers of Monica Jones

Shelfmarks: MS. Eng. c. 7448



Shelfmark: MS. Eng. c. 7448
Extent: 56 leaves

Scope and Content:
  • (fol. 1) letter from Jones to Larkin, 20 Dec. 1969
  • (fol. 2) poem (by Jones?) 'For St. Valentine's Day 1959'
  • (fols. 3-6) unsent postcards addressed by Larkin to Newland Park, the message section blank.
  • (fols. 7-19) cuttings probably sent to Jones by and/or relating to Larkin.
  • (fols. 20-33) greetings cards from Larkin's mother, Eva, to Jones.
  • (fols. 34-52) letters, postcards and greetings cards exchanged with correspondents other than Larkin, fols. 37-43 from 'Bill' [Ruddick?]
  • (fols. 53-6) official correspondence and other miscellaneous notes, fols. 55-6 in Larkin's hand.

F   Photographs


Scope and Content:

These are the original photographs of which photocopies are in place in sections A-B of this catalogue.

Photographs are in black and white unless stated otherwise.

Restrictions on Access: The photocopies must be consulted in the first instance.

Photographs
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 459

Scope and Content:
  • (fols. 1-2) 2 photographs of Dublin (contact print size), originally enclosed with letter of 11 Feb. 1951, both annotated by Larkin, (fol. 1) ‘Dublin’, (fol. 2) ‘TCD’ [Trinity College Dublin].
  • (fol. 3) Photograph of Larkin, cut from a larger print, originally enclosed with letter of 30 May 1951, annotated [not by Larkin] ‘Students [sic] Night Union Q.U.B.’ [Queen’s University Belfast].
  • (fols. 4-6) 3 photographs of the interior of Larkin’s Belfast flat, originally enclosed with letter of 22 Nov. 1951. The photographs are annotated by him: (fol. 4) ‘Kitchen’ (fol. 5) ‘bed [sic] skylight & the usual mess’ (fol. 6) ‘Flat (respectable corner)’.
  • (fol. 7) Photograph of a rabbit, originally enclosed with letter 28 Aug. 1956.
  • (fol. 8) Photograph of a balloon and LP record sleeve relating to a Christmas performance of The Boy Friend at Wyndham’s Theatre, originally enclosed with letter of 8 Feb.1958.
  • (fol. 9) Photograph of Monica Jones, originally enclosed with letter of 29 March 1964.
  • (fols. 10-15) 6 photographs, originally enclosed with letter of 2 May 1965: (fols. 10-13) Monica Jones indoors; (fol. 14) Monica Jones standing by an unidentified church; (fol. 15) the unidentified church.
  • (fols. 16-38) 23 photographs, various (mostly exterior) scenes, originally enclosed with letter of 9 May 1966. The photographs are numbered by Larkin ‘1-12’ and ‘X1-X12’ [missing X8]: (fols. 5, 20, 26 and 34-50) annotated by Larkin; (fols. 16, 27, 29, 35-6) feature Monica Jones; (folio 34) a photograph of a glum-looking Larkin, annotated by him ‘PAL enjoying his 45th birthday’.
  • (fols. 39-50) 12 colour photographs, originally enclosed with letter of 3 Sept.1967. The photographs are numbered 1-12 by Larkin: (fols. 40-1) feature Monica Jones; (folios 44, 46) annotated by Larkin.
  • (fols. 51-6) 6 colour photographs, originally enclosed with letter of 12 Nov. 1967: (fols. 55-6) feature Monica Jones.
  • (fols. 57-65) 9 photographs, originally enclosed with letter of 10 Feb. 1968: (fols. 58-9) feature Monica Jones.
  • (fol. 66) Photograph [passport sized] of Larkin, annotated by him ‘April 1969’, originally enclosed with letter of 4 April 1969.
  • (fols. 67-85) 19 photographs, various scenes, originally enclosed with letter of 18 Sept. 1969: (folios 76-85) in colour; (fols. 68-72, 81-3) feature Monica Jones; (fol. 85) Larkin in academic dress.
  • (fol. 86) Colour photograph of Larkin in his bathroom, originally enclosed with letter of 30 Aug. 1970. Annotated by him ‘Philip on his 48 [sic] birthday – on the edge of the bath, and in his 49th year.’
  • (fols. 87-93) 7 photographs of Dublin (although fols. 87, 91-2 may be of Belfast) taken in the 1950s, originally enclosed with letter of 14 April 1971: (fols. 88-90, 93) Dublin; (fol. 88) North side of the Liffey; (fol. 89) the Courts; (fols.90, 93) the Customs House; (fols. 91-3) feature Monica Jones.
  • (fols. 94-124) 31 photographs, various scenes, not found enclosed in letters: (fols. 94-5) Larkin and Jones in Belfast; (fols. 96 and 124) annotated by Larkin; (fols. 97-9, 102-7) feature Monica Jones, fols. 97-9 in Belfast; (fols. 100-1) feature Larkin, fol. 101 sitting on the England border sign at Coldstream, 1962.
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24 May 2011