Dear Leonee,
A busy week - a talk to a Local History Society on Wednesday ('Kipling the
misunderstood genius'...two possible new members!), a meeting at Bateman's
on Friday (the National Trust requires a 'Statement of Significance', and
a 'Spirit of Place' presentation. I hope that this will become an article
for the Journal, written by NT staff). Then Sunday to the City with the
inestimable (and indefatigable) Robin Mitchell - a full day's boxing from
9.30 to 6.00 ish including travel.
Monday to City again to complete the final labeling and preparation for
transport. All that is left on floor six are the bookcases and two older
filing cabinets which I obtained for free. The latter will be scrapped, but
we are still hoping to find a buyer, or at least a good home for the
bookcases. (Three off six feet wide, eight feet high, glass doors,
difficult to 'flat pack' I think; one off nine feet wide). There was also
an opportunity to say our thank you's to the excellent staff at City, where
we have been accommodated rent-free for many years.
As you read this, the items for storage at Special Collections at the
University of Sussex may well be on their way. No formal decision seems to
have been made, so I have assumed that it is correct for me to have
arranged delivery. Having obtained quotes, I am using Universal Commercial
Relocations, who are the preferred firm for City and other universities -
full insurance, and men to do the heavy lifting...
The majority of our stock is ready for transfer to Haileybury. This amounts
to over forty boxes, mainly 12" x 12" x 18". Incidentally, I was very sorry
to discover that a member of the Society had had to call my home yesterday,
while I was heaving the last few boxes in London, to point out two mistakes
in Bulletin 7. Haileybury is not, of course, referred to as a school. I
would be grateful if you could correct these errors in any copies of the
correspondence you have, and I apologise for this mistake.
It occurs to me that now would be a very good time to find an Honorary
Librarian with a public school background - and a private income to allow
more time to the task.
All good wishes,
John
On Thu, May 22, 2014 at 5:19 PM, John Walker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> *Bulletin 7*
>
> It has been an enormous honour that Council have left everything to me in
> arranging for the future of the Society's Library. I do hope that it will
> not prove that several people at the A.G.M. will be able to offer better
> plans in retrospect... I would confirm that every institution suggested by
> members, and many more, has been investigated as a possible final home for
> the Kipling Society Collection.
>
> I do have some more packing to complete, but in deference to my marriage,
> I will not be going up to City University this Sunday... The next boxing
> day will therefore be Sunday 1st June, midday to 6.00 p.m..
>
> With just two weeks to go before the deadline, I have received
> confirmation that Haileybury School will be able to offer a home for more
> than half of the stock. I am enormously grateful to Toby Parker, the
> Archivist to the School, who has plans for a Kipling Room, to accommodate
> and display the School's own materials (including, of course, the Stalky
> manuscripts) along with all of the items which can be described as Kipling
> Society reference material and memorabilia. It goes without saying that we
> are honoured and pleased that the Master, Council and Governors at
> Haileybury are prepared to offer such a suitable home for our precious
> Collection. I understand that the school has a qualified conservator, and I
> know that with assistance from the Society, the room should become an
> attractive and welcoming reference facility.
>
> Toby and I have discussed the items to be transferred on loan, and it
> should be emphasised that the volumes to be donated to the University of
> Sussex are very much the 'balance' of the material. In other words, I will
> assume that Council will approve my decision to offer Haileybury first
> choice in every case.
>
> Thus, in future, members who wish to access material which relates to the
> Society itself, or gifts to the Society, or material built up by members,
> will be able to visit the collection on loan to Haileybury School, in
> Hertfordshire.
>
> Other material, which - in general - is more widely available, will be
> given to Sussex, with the proviso that any items which are not to be kept
> in Special Collections there, now or in the future, will be offered back to
> the Society.
>
> If members have special concerns about particular items, I would be
> grateful if they raise the question now, rather than after the transfers
> have been completed.
>
> I still have over 1600 copies of the Journal, which I have had to bring
> home, as neither Sussex nor Haileybury have storage space. A decision about
> reducing this stock will, perhaps, be made at the A.G.M., but it was
> interesting that two members of Council have contacted me, asking for
> replacement copies for their own collection. With a standard reserve stock
> of two, this might be a problem in future!
>
> Members of Council will also remember that I was detailed to start
> organising a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Kipling's birth. I had
> assumed that this would be aimed at the Christmas holiday for 2015 (perhaps
> even for December 30th), well after the centenary of John's death. However,
> some members have indicated that this might not be suitable for them, and
> have asked for something much sooner. If this is the general feeling, I
> will have to get busy. Please do indicate your views (I promise not to
> expect your help).
>
> With all good wishes,
>
> John
>
>
>
