2011-02

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B ooks, particularly old ones, are one of my passions and I find Book Fairs irresistible. In July 2004 at the Southern Cathedral's Festival, Winchester had a book and music sale in aid of the Cathedral choir and it was here, rummaging through other people's cast-offs, that I came upon a little red book. It was in a "These Books 50p" box among dusty old school books and ancient "Penguins". Its handsome maroon binding had turned to the colour of a fallen leaf and the title had long since faded from the spine and cover, though the gilt-edged pages still glowed through the dust. Turning to the title page, I found it was ‘Sir Edward Elgar’ by J. R. Buckley, published in 1904. The introduction was dated July 14th 1904 - almost 100 years ago to the day! I checked that there were no pages or pictures missing, put £1 in the "Honesty Box" and went upstairs to look at the music. Here I found three well-used vocal scores - The Messiah, Elijah and St. Paul - copiously signed on the inside title page by famous singers of former days. These were also 50p each and I paid at the till. Back home after the festival, I examined the Elgar book more closely. Inside the cover it was priced at 2/6d (12 and a half pence) and, written at the top of the page in blue ink with a fountain pen, was the name "Elgar Blake". My heart-rate doubled! There was only ever one person called Elgar Blake, and that was Elgar's daughter, Clarice. The name was not in her writing. In fact I as fairly sure it was Elgar's own. But why just his daughter's married name? The name must have been written between 1921, when Clarice married Samuel Blake, and 1934, when Elgar died. My research revealed that Severn House, Elgar's huge London home, was put up for auction in the autumn of 1921, following his wife's death in 1920 and Elgar moved into a tiny onebedroomed flat. Most of his possessions, including his extensive library, had to be disposed of. Picture Elgar, now old and alone in his mansion, sorting through the treasures of a lifetime. And, to be sure, the little book was a treasure - the first biography, probably the publisher's complimentary copy - it could not be thrown out or sold, but was for Clarice. Sadly, but proudly, he wrote her newlymarried name inside the cover and placed it in the box for her. Clarice died childless in 1970, before decimalisation, and the book must have been sold for 2/6d with the rest of her effects. Whoever bought it must have died around 2004 and the book cast into the 50p reject box in the Winchester sale. And so, on its 100th birthday, Elgar's treasure came to me! In August 2004, I attended the Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester RECORD-BREAKER! Sir Edward Elgar The two current smallest published books are the New Testament of the King James Bible (5 by 5mm, created in 2001) and Chekhov's Chameleon (0.9 by 0.9mm created in 20<strong>02</strong>). St Chads Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats email: office@stchads.org Church Offices: 15 Camping Lane, Sheffield S8 0GB Page 16 website: www.stchads.org Tel: (0114) 274 5086
and took the autographed scores and Elgar's biography to the Antique Book dealer there. He gave me £20 for the scores - not a bad return for £1.50 - and valued the book at £150. But it's not for sale! When I die, it will go to the Royal College of Music to be freely available to students and scholars, which is what Elgar would have wanted. So, it just goes to show, you really can't judge a book, or a score, by it's cover. Eddie Askew once found Jesus, or a silver-coloured crucifix, in a box of junk at an Antique Fair. He considered buying it to put Him somewhere more respectable. However, something told him that Jesus would not want to be rescued but would rather be left among the rejected cast-offs of a throw-away society. So he quietly put Him back and thought he saw Him smile - but then Jesus always knew how to look beneath the surface. "Lord of the old and the new, open my eyes to see your presence in everyone I see today" - Eddie Askew from "Love is a Wild Bird". Sylvia Bennett Beauchief Pre-School Where learning is fun Ofsted inspected & approved for ages 2 1 / 2 to school. Free places available for 3 & 4 year olds. A world of discovery, fun & friendships awaits your child Drop in to see us or for a brochure, more information or to enrol your child please contact Sarah 274 6930 Beauchief Baptist Church Hutcliife Wood Road S8 St Chads Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats email: office@stchads.org Church Offices: 15 Camping Lane, Sheffield S8 0GB Page 17 website: www.stchads.org Tel: (0114) 274 5086
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