ARCHIVE.
Jay, Helen. Manuscript archive. Ca. 1910-1930.
Helen Gertrude Jay was born on March 22, 1911 and died at the age of nineteen on April 16, 1930. Later
that year the Oxford publisher Basil Blackwell published a volume of ‘Poems of Helen Jay.’ Also present
herewith is a copy of that book, inscribed to Mary Dunlop by E. H. Watson, and accompanied by an
autograph letter signed from Helen Jay’s mother J. V. Jay (March 17, 1953), presenting the book to
Watson, ‘in memory of her most happy school days.’ The book is also inscribed by Helen’s mother: ‘In
Memory of Helen.’
Firmly rooted in the Georgian tradition, but with a sinewy resilience, these indicate the promise that her
death left unfulfilled. An example is the first poem in the book, ‘The Trick,’ tentatively dated to March
1928:
I look’d at life, and having stripp’d it bare
Of all disguise, I found that it was vain.
I marvelled that, for such a nothing, men
Should strive and scheme from triumph to despair.
Perchance too long deceived (I thought), they dare
Still to deceive the world of Truth lest when
They fail the lie it fail, and ruthless then
The Truth they spurned arise and spurn them there.
‘Ah, Death!’ I cried, ‘Yet I will not believe.’
And Death said ‘Fool! Mine is the trick of Life.
Not till thou too art fool’d with the deceit
Will I destroy thee utterly, and laugh to see’t.’
The collection consists of 129 items, in good condition, on aged paper. As follows:
A. Manuscripts
B. Letters of Condolence
C. Photographs
D. Other
A. Manuscripts by Helen Jay
Apparently unpublished autograph poem, titled ‘Love’s Tyranny.’ Late 1920s. Begins: ‘Bind not Love
with fetter chains. | Love is strong, but love is free, | And they kill it with their pains | Who would kill its
liberty.’ With pencil note by Jay: ‘A New Poem, Rather good I think. Tell me what you think. I’m sending
it to the Magazine.’
ll
Page
54
Manuscript poem ‘The Trial,’ with minor variations from the version published by Blackwell, a proof of
which is also present.
Typescripts of the following five poems (all of which feature in the Blackwell volume): ‘Youth’; ‘If this
were all’ (two versions); ‘Nihil Est Ab Omne Parte Beatum,’ ‘At Times,’ ‘O! early now the sun gets up.’
4to manuscript album titled ‘The Birds’ Ritual,’ with texts of nine poems (apparently by Jay and
unpublished) neatly written out, with postcard of the bird to which the text refers laid down on facing page.
First poem reads, ‘“Prie Dieu, prie Dieu,” cries the thrush | At the early break of dawn. | Wake to matins
singed songsters | Ere the light steals up the lawn.’
School exercise book of ‘Helen Jay. | May 1st. 1918.’ 23pp., landscape 12mo.
Home-made 32mo booklet, titled ‘Dining Room Chair Gym. With Fr. Brodie.’ Includes ‘Practice’ of
‘Arm-chair jumping. (Perfect.) Neat and quick’ and ‘Getting over chairs. Both ways. 1st and 2nd point
toes. neat and quick.’
Manuscript ‘programme,’ by the infant Helen Jay or her sister, of a performance entitled ‘“How most
Nasty and Disgusting is the Sugar.” “Pray why so?”’ Apparently written around the age of eight. 3pp.,
12mo. Bifolium. Illustrated.
‘Christmas.’ Autograph poem. 3pp., 16mo. On bifolium attached inside 14 x 11cm. christmas card, with
watercolour illustration, to ‘Father from Helen.’ Apparently written around the age of nine.
‘Killed people’s Ghosts.’ Autograph short story in 10.5 x 8cm. pamphlet titled ‘Ghost Stories By H. Jay.’
10pp., 16mo. In pencil. Apparently written around the age of nine. Ends abruptly and may have been put
aside.
‘Poetry by Helen Gertrude Jay | Illustrated by Mary Violet Jay.’ 8pp., 12mo. Pamphlet made of three loose
bifoliums. In pencil. Two autograph poems (‘The Months’ and ‘Summer’) over four pages, with three
pages of illustrations by Mary, comprising twelve images of the seasons. Full-page ‘Index’ and ‘List of
Illustrations.’ Apparently written around the age of twelve.
‘Long long Ago.’ Autograph poem. 3pp., 16mo. 24 li
Print Inquire