Thomas Hardy musical manuscript brings $7,680

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.

Thomas Hardy musical manuscript auction
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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