Denis Glover (1912-1980) is one of New Zealand's outstanding literary figures. A celebrated poet, typographer and publisher, he played a key role in the golden age of New Zealand literature. Glover was also a brilliant wit, versatile sportsman, war hero and public celebrity. In Gordon Ogilvie's biography of Glover entitled 'Denis Glover:His Life' published by Random House 1999, mention is made (on pages 380/381) of a relationship Glover struck up with Margaret Scott, who edited 'The Collected Letters of Katherine Mansfield'.
Margaret Scott seemingly rebuffed Glover's advances at the time and in response, Glover penned a poem which appears on page 381 of the biography -
'Margaret.
Nothing tangible except your form
Nothing less tangible to name
Than your elusiveness
I know that I stand firm'
13 Nov 1969.
This poem was unpublished until the biography and the original manuscript in Glover's hand was gifted to me by Margaret Scott, who I had come to know when she transcribed a note in Katherine Mansfield's hand which I owned.
Glover's original poems are very rarely offered for sale, as his collections are mainly held in the Alexander Turnbull Library and the Hocken Library.
Measuring 25cm x 21cm on lined paper with two holes punched on the side, not affecting the text.
