A Hole – Where the Book Should Be

​PREVIOUSLY ON “IT HAPPENED ONE DAY”:

In UVA’s Shannon Library, our protagonist James discovered an 1894 first edition of Volume 1 of Letters of Emily Dickinson published by Roberts Brothers and edited by Mabel Loomis Todd.  The book was signed by the poet’s sister, Lavinia.  Details are HERE.

IN THE ENSUING EPISODE, “DO THE RIGHT THING”:

James took the book to the circulation desk and explained why this particular book should not be on the shelves for general check out.  The complete episode is HERE.

THIS WEEK, ON “HOLES, WHERE THE BOOKS SHOULD BE”:​

James returned to the Shannon Library to check on the status of his find.  Was it back on the shelf?  Did it make its journey to the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library?

HERE’S THE RUN-DOWN:

Our hero, James, known around town as “the Dickinson Dude,” had a 2:00 o’clock rendezvous at the Small Special Collections Library to peruse Emily Dickinson, Three Views, the full text of three papers delivered at Amherst College as part of the town’s Bicentennial celebration on October 23, 1959.

Prior to reporting for his appointment, James stopped in the Shannon Library to check the PS 1541 shelves to see if the book was back – and no, ’twas not!  The gap where it had been was still evident.

Interestingly, James noticed a silver box to the right of the open space.  What was that? He had not noticed it before (though from a pic taken on that earlier visit, the box was there.)  He drew it from the shelf and opened it.  Inside – yet another copy of Letters of Emily Dickinson.  Ah yes – Letters was a two-volume set, and on that Christmas oh-so-long-ago in 1894, Ethel received BOTH books.  Lavinia had signed one, V1.

Below, left to right:  The contents of the silver box, Volume 2 of Letters of Emily Dickinson, a gift for Ethel C. Ague (sp?) for Christmas 1894.

Upon his arrival at the Small Special Collections Library, James inquired about volume-the-first.  The computer contained no report – as of yet – as to its situation.  The desk staff handed over a business card and suggested our central character contact the curatorial director to share the account of the inscribed copy, which he did later that afternoon.

A response came later in the day:  "Thanks so much for letting us know and for sending the photos. I’ve made a note to check when it’s back on the shelf in Shannon."

Hmm.  The saga continues. 

COMING LATER:  Our central character, James, will visit the library again -- probably within the next two weeks.  Stay tuned. ​