Case 17
- Authors’ Presentation Inscriptions (N.Z.) 4
Hector Bolitho. My restless years. London: Max Parrish, 1962.
Hector
Bolitho (1897-1974) was a New Zealand born writer who resided chiefly in
England and is best remembered for his royal biographies.
This
copy of Bolitho’s reminiscences contains a presentation inscription in the
author’s hand, with the name ‘A.H. Reed’ inserted above it in a clearly
different hand.
The
story behind this inscription is revealed in a letter to Reed dated 1 March
1973 written by Bolitho’s companion Derek Peel. Peel thanks Reed for his
messages of sympathy and the copy of his autobiography he sent to Bolitho, who
had been suffering a life-threatening bout of pneumonia.
Peel
thus located a previously inscribed copy of Bolitho’s autobiography to send to
Mr Reed in thanks – with a promise to read Alfred’s reminiscences aloud to his
ailing companion. The inscription in black “A.H. Reed Esq.” is thus in Peel’s
hand.
Reed and
Bolitho had first become friends at Featherston Camp during World War I. They
renewed their contacts years later when Bolitho and Peel visited Dunedin in
1968.
Edmund Hillary. High adventure. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1955.
This
copy of the first edition of Edmund Hillary’s High adventure is autographed by the celebrated mountaineer, and
contains a characteristic inscription in his hand: “Triumph over difficulties
brings its own reward. There is no virtue in an easy conquest.”
The Reed
Collections include a 1954 letter in which Hillary thanks A.H. Reed for his
remarkable effort and generosity on behalf of the Himalayan Fund. Perhaps
Hillary donated this autographed copy as a token of esteem to Reed.
High adventure comprises the personal record of
Hillary’s mountain climbing experiences, including the Everest Expedition of
1953.
Peter Henry Buck. Vikings of the sunrise. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1938.
This
presentation copy is of Vikings of the
sunrise, Sir Peter Buck’s immensely popular account of the oral traditions,
ethnology and social organisation of each of the major Polynesian groups.
Sir
Peter Buck, or Te Rangihiroa (1877?-1951) was a prominent New Zealand doctor,
anthropologist and Director of Honolulu’s Bishop Museum.
