Fundraising Appeal to Ensure Public Ownership of Important Thomas Hardy Archives

Dorset Archives Trust (DAT) has  started a campaign to raise the final £5,000 needed to purchase a collection of important manuscript and printed material once owned by Dorset’s literary giant Thomas Hardy. The archives, for sale via a London dealer have been in private hands for decades. If successful, the purchase will mean that the collection will be returned to the county and held for public benefit and access at Dorset History Centre. The collection consists of 46 separate elements and includes books which once formed part of Hardy’s own library at Max Gate including the schoolboy Hardy’s annotated copy of Horace and his personal edition of Pouncy’s ‘Dorsetshire Photographically Illustrated’. Letters from Hardy are also included with one giving a clear expression of the author’s interest in animal welfare. There is also a poem, penned by Hardy referring to the embarkation of soldiers for service in the Boer War. Included within the collection is Hardy’s typescript of the speech he delivered at the opening of Dorchester Grammar School in 1925.

The collection is the most significant to have been offered for sale for many years and, if acquired will sit alongside the principal Hardy archive housed and made accessible in the Dorset History Centre. The majority of the collection is owned by Dorset County Museum. It will enhance our knowledge and enduring fascination with this key British author and support learning and public engagement with Hardy and his world. Carola Campbell, Chairman of Dorset Archives Trust said ‘The Trust is thrilled to have the opportunity to acquire this collection on behalf of the Dorset History Centre. Particularly exciting are the new insights this once hidden treasure of archival material reveals about the private thoughts and life of Thomas Hardy’.

The asking price for the collection is £50,000 but thanks to two generous grants from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Fund and Friends of the National Libraries for £25,000 and £20,000 respectively, there remains £5,000 to raise. Donations to the appeal can be enhanced with Gift Aid and can be made online at virginmoneygiving.  Alternatively, cheques can be sent to Dorset Archives Trust, c/o Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset.

DAT plans to support Dorset History Centre’s next project to fully catalogue and conserve the Hardy archive and to make it available online. Fundraising to support this work will commence in the New Year.

Thanks to the generous contributions received, we are delighted to say that as of today (7 December) we have reached our fundraising total.  We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed.  All monies raised will go towards the purchase.  It is hoped that the collection will soon be brought to Dorset History Centre where it can be viewed by all.  Dorset Archives Trust would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.