T H E V I C T O R Y H Y M N
1 9 3 5 - 1 9 9 5
b y R O B I N H Y D E
w i t h a n e s s a
y b y M i c h e l e L e g g o t t . 1 9 9 5
Among the materials transferred from
the Griffin Press to the University was a gallery of
Linotype consisting of the text of a poem by Robin Hyde
set in 1935 for a pamphlet that was never issued. A
search by Dr Michele Leggott of the English Department
at the University of Auckland among the Hyde papers in
the various collections found ten different versions of
the poem, of which just seven were 'authorised', that
is, were in Hyde's own manuscript or typescript.
This edition reproduces all seven authorised texts, plus
the Griffin Press Linotype. There being no proofs or
copy extant for the Linotype, it was printed just as it
was found in the galley. For the other versions, no
certain chronology was able to be established, and thus
no clear definitive version was able to be identified.
In this book, all the authorised versions are given
equal status. These decisions required
a somewhat unusual design within the book. The different
versions of the poem are regularly dispersed among the
pages of Dr Leggott's essay, so that each text is set
away from the others. In addition, the small number of
lines common to all versions (there are 14 such lines
out of more than 80) which form a kind of unchanging
core a round which the rest of the lines alter in
both small and large ways, are printed in a second
colour, blue. Also reproduced are examples of Hyde's
handwriting and typescript, a photographic portrait of
the poet Herbert Tornquist, and the original Linotype
setting invoice of 1935. The book is
designed, printed and bound by Alan Loney. Typesetting,
in 12pt Elzevir and 12pt Granjon, both Linotype, is by
John Denny at Puriri Press, Auckland. Paper is Mohawk
Superfine, with Canson Mi-Teintes endpapers and
paper-covered boards, with quarter cloth binding.
Illustrations use photo-polymer plates by Rennies
Illustrations Ltd. Format: 290x165 mm, 53 pages.
Edition: 100 hand-numbered copies.
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