Leonard's manuscripts at Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

[lizzytysh]

Thanks, Tom . I do recall the Sheriff's Office scene, but somehow the actual retrieval of the boxes got eclipsed in my understanding. Somehow, I had the authorities appearing there, and the boxes not being there. I am vastly relieved to hear otherwise, if what you're saying is the case.

~ Lizzy

[Anne]

U of T has one of the most mportant Research libraries in the world, and the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is a jewel is our collection. With its collection of Canadiana it is a perfectly appropriate place for Leonard's work to be archived.

[Simon]

U of T has one of the most mportant Research libraries in the world, and the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is a jewel is our collection. With its collection of Canadiana it is a perfectly appropriate place for Leonard's work to be archived.

Hello Anne,

No doubt that the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is a very appropriate place for Leonard’s work to be archived. But the Rare Books and Special Collections Division of McGill Libraries could have done the job as well. It seems to me that the question still stands; why U of T and not McGill? Unless he has a copy of all the content of those boxes, he migth want to refer back to something in there eventually, and you’d think that having the archives within walking distance of his Montreal house would have been convenient. Or maybe, like me, he likes Toronto and never misses an opportunity to drop by. My question was in no way meant to fuel the Montreal-Toronto rivalry. Of course, you will rightly understand that most of us will envy you for being that close to the treasure.

[tomsakic]

It seems to me that Thomas Fisher Library is more interested in Canadian authors (having specialized collection), and, even more, that they simply reacted first back in 1970s, asking Leonard.

Cheking Simon's link, I see McGill's collection of Canadian authors is small, but there are two poets form Leonard's circle, FR Scott and Ralph Gustafson. Scott's archives were a gift from his family after he died in 1988, and Gustafson four years before his death. It seems that they could be of Cohen-related interest, Gustafson's says it has "virtually complete runs of the books by F.R. Scott, John Glassco, Louis Dudek, Irving Layton and others. There are some 2000 titles." I am sure there are not only all Leonard's books in both collections, but maybe even some correspondence.

Now when Layton is dead, does anybody knows where his manuscripts and archives went? I am sure both this libraries would like to have it.

[Simon]

Even though there could be a slight chance that we find F.'s identity in all those archives, maybe the topic of archives should deserve a thread in itself to which we could come back to over time. This is indeed very interesting.

[tomsakic]

I have split this discussion from that about "F."

[Simon]

Searching the CBC web site I stumbled on this 1984 interview of LC by Vicki Gabereau. About 12 minutes into the interview they touch on the subject of his personal archives and he explains why a lagre part of it is in Toronto.

CBC 1984 Vicki Gabereau interview >>>

[lizzytysh]

Thank you for posting this, Simon . I've never heard it before and am enjoying very much listening to it right now.

This is a very 'quick' interview with her voice very crisp and 'clipped' with its sound, as well as with her questions and directions she takes it. It's fascinating and I'm enjoying it immensely. Fascinating. Having to work at the same time as I listen. I'll listen again when I have time to devote all of my attention to it. With her pace and ways of questioning, she managed to get LOTS of information packed into this .

I discovered last night that when I bought the headphones that are now pretty much defunct, that I had bought two pair [one for home, when I eventually get sound there ~ and one for work]... so now, I can listen at least while I'm here, again . I remembered that they were on sale, so I went ahead and got two . Now, to try to catch up with all that's been posted .

~ Lizzy

[Anne]

This is an article from UofT magazine about the recent addition to The Rare Book Library of 140 Banker's boxes of material from Leonard. I typed it out this morning, this issue isn't online yet.

He's Our Man
In the early 1960s, UofT's Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library purchased manuscripts from young poet and writer Leonard Cohen - Including drafts of Beautiful Losers (acquired before publication) and Let Us Compare Mythologies. Almost half -a century later, Canada's most revered poet has contributed more of his literary past to U of T: a staggering 140 banker's boxes that trace his life from bohemian writer to iconic singer-song-writer to Buddhist monk.
"UofT's been very kind to me over the years - and when I really needed it. They bought manuscripts when I was about 25 years old - and they did that twice - so I feel very grateful to the university and to the library,” says Cohen, 71.
UofT archivist Richard Landon and his wife, Massey College librarian Marie Korey, packed the first 99 boxes during a visit to Los Angeles in 2005. Cohen and his partner and musical collaborator, Anjani Thomas, also sifted through the papers, which were housed at his daughter's antique store. The day before Passover, Cohen sang part of the Seder service to the UofT couple and regaled them with stories over dinner. (Cohen, who lived for many years at Mount Baldy Zen Centre in L.A., said his teacher, Joshu Sasaki Roshi, taught him the art of contemplation. He, in turn, taught Roshi how to drink single malt scotch.)
The newly acquired literary treasures include manuscripts on Death of a Lady's Man and Stranger Music and a handbound copy of The Spice-Box of Earth (inscribed "For Mother with love, Leonard. December 1965, Montreal"). There is correspondence with poets Irving Layton and Allen Ginsberg, and photos taken at a studio session with Phil Spector and Joni Mitchell in the 1970s. There is also an abundance of fan mail that ranges from the serious to the seriously disturbed” jokes Landon.
When the last of the banker's boxes have been catalogued and put in order, is there anyone in particular Cohen envisions studying his literary material? "Oh, any kind person,” says Cohen. "Anyone with the capacity to forgive".
-Stacey Gibson

[Anne]

It is now online.

http://www.magazine.utoronto.ca/06autum ... .asp#cohen

[Duende]

WOW!!!!! This is so amazing.I'm going to try and make it up to toronto next month to check out a few of Leonard's notebooks,draft and whatnot. I might see about getting the digital imaging done or photocopy of a few things....This seems like an unreal dream.

[SHunter]

Many years ago, while doing a degree at the University of Toronto, I spent a large chunk of time exploring the contents of some of those boxes. It was quite a privledge to read the original manuscripts. I didn't get all that far, but did explore several boxes of unpublished work. I believe that there are some boxes that are to be sealed until after his death.

[tvrec]

I believe that all of the creative work is available to view (under the TF guidelines), but some of the personal correspondence is sealed until after Cohen's death.

[bridger15]

Glimpse of the Leonard Cohen archives
Photo posted on twitter by Matthew Kirschenbaum,
Associate Professor of English and Associate Director of MITH, University of Maryland

---Arlene

[holydove]

Arlene, thank you for posting that amazing photo! It brought my attention to this intriguing thread, & now I'm planning a trip to Toronto, which I think will prove to be very interesting indeed. . .