A rare musical manuscript, authored and autographed by esteemed British poet and novelist Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), brought £5,000 ($7,680) to Bonhams London yesterday (April 10).
The 1922 musical manuscript for O I Won't Live a Homely Life was offered from the Roy Davids Collection of poetical manuscripts, selling alongside works by WH Auden and Charlotte Bronte.
 The manuscript sold securely within its £4,000 to £6,000 estimate |
The manuscript is one of only two extant examples of O I Won't Live a Homely Life, the second version lacking the musical score that makes this specimen so unusual - a factor that no doubt positively influenced the sale price.
Hardy wrote the song-poem in pencil, on white paper, beneath a rousing 16-bar D major melody.
The music is believed to have been informed by the tunes Hardy played on the violin as a young man.
Interested in investing in one of the true greats of English literature? We currently have this valuable Thomas Hardy autograph in stock.
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