AN EXTENSIVE ARCHIVE OF THE WORKS OF IAN HAMILTON FINLAY

AN IMPORTANT AND EXTENSIVE ARCHIVE OF THE PRINTS, BOOKS, ARTIST'S POSTCARDS, ARTIST'S MULTIPLES AND DOCUMENTS OF IAN HAMILTON FINLAY AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF UNIQUE BOOKS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO PERIODICALS

A note regarding reference numbers: the following abstract description of this archive is organised and categorised firstly using the Graeme Murray catalogue raisonne of 1982 and its numbering system along with the addenda of 1986 and 1992 with the additional use of the unpublished but in part available cataloguing system created by Finlay's own assistant Pia Simig.(which was first publicly used in the Prints Drukcatalogue of 1985) along with the postcard catalogue raisonne published for the Scottish Museum of Modern Art postcard show of 2002 (which again used part of the Simig cataloguing system) along with some personal research relating to items not included in those publications.

All items are in very good to fine condition unless otherwise noted. Limitation is noted where relevant when individual iteas are described otherwise it is usually assumed (as claimed by Finlay himself) that most items were printed in editions of circa 300 - 350 copies. After 1970 very few items were signed by Finlay so if an item has a signature or dedication related to it then that is noted also. Items directly written or produced by Finlay himself are noted only by title and date unless additional information is relevant.

ITEMS PUBLISHED BY FINLAY'S WILD HAWTHORN PRESS 1961 to 1986

We offer 12 of the 14 total items published under Finlay's imprint - his first ever publishing venture - namely: Neidecker MY FRIEND TREE 1961 One of 250 copies Zukofsky 16 ONCE PUBLISHED 1962 Finlay FISH SHEET ONE 1963 Turbull A VERY PARTICULAR HILL 1963 De Campos CIDADE/CITY/CITE 1964 Bann FLEECE 1964 Mon EPITAPH FUR KONRAD BAYER 1964 Albert-Birot PARADIS 1964 Furnival POLAR BEAR 1965 Johnson /Satie SPORTS & DIVERTISMENTS 1965 Lax SEA POEM 1966 (missing original plastic spine but otherwise complete) Stoddart TERROR IS THE PIETY OF THE REVOLUTION 1986

A near complete collection from this scarce series of a very important visual poetry series missing only two items - Finlay's importance in this area as a publisher and promoter of the new poetry is paramount and these publications span a range of authors who were prominent in the movement. Many of the authors were also published in FInlay's regular poetry journal - Poor Old Tired Horse - which took its title from Robert Lax's poem (and also a line in Finlay's early newspaper short stories (see sections relating to those articles and POTH elsewhere)

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WILD HAWTHORN PRESS ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 12.



POOR OLD TIRED HORSE

We offer a complete collection of Finlay's poetry review of the 25 issues published from the period of 1961 - 1967.

POTHS NRS 1 - 25. All in fine condition. Some numbers, especially early numbers, are very scarce indeed. POTH was Finlay's only serial publication. POTH was initially only sold at readings and sometimes in bars or by subscription. The earliest numbers were traditional in their poetic content and structures but soon (after nr 3) the journal began to reproduce historic visual and concrete works by the likes of Apollinaire, the south American concrete poets (such as de Campo) and soon Finlay's own early visual poetry. Other authors soon contributing read like an international 'who's who' of concrete and visual poetry: dsh, Furnival, Johnson, Lax, Cutts, Turbull, Morgan and others. An essential publication.

Additional to this is a unauthorised complete reprint of all POTHs from 1982 - in hardback book but with the pages only b/w. A very rare item which Finlay did not approve of.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NUMBERS OF POTH AND THE REPRINT OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 26.



BOOKS AND BOOKLETS

Up to 1992 Ian Hamilton Finlay produced 132 bookworks that are catalogued by Murray. Formats varied greatly and the limitations were always small - the largest being in 1,000 copies but almost all others being published in fewer than 500 copies and the vast majority in a limitation of 350 copies - with some print runs being much much smaller (one being available in only 7 proof copies - an exceptionally rare example is included here). Some items were not for sale and only circulated as gifts or by subscription - usually each Christmas holiday.

We offer 127 separate books (“books” is used here as defined by Murray's catalogue raisonne some might be much better described as print portfolios but included here due to Murray's erroneous listing) published by Finlay mostly under his own imprint from the period 1963 -1992. The collection includes almost a complete run of Finlay's earliest works missing out only 8 of the first 100 books published by him. A complete list is available on request but with reference to the Murray Catalogue Raisonne only the following items are NOT included in this archive from the period 1958 - 1992 - the numbers refer to Murray's cataloguing system.

3.4; 3.13; 3.15; 3.17; 3.21; 3.26; 3.59; 3.84; 3.95; 3.104; 3.108; 3.109; 3.126; 3.129.

In addition within the books included in this archive there are some very significant items - those of particular interest and worth of mention include:

Both first and second editions of Finlay's first book SEA BED AND OTHER STORIES - there is a colour variant on the cover between the editions - both are quite rare.

Both first and second editions of Finlay's second book THE DANCERS INHERIT THE PARTY the true first is very very rare indeed and was published in a very small edition.

Second, third and 5th editions editions of Finlay's third book GLASGOW BEASTS AND A BURD - there are significant design changes between the early editions and later printings.

A fine edition of RAPEL - Finlay's most important early concrete poetry book and again extremely rare.

An example of Ocean Stripe Series 3 which still contains the original laid in insert which is often missing but is an integral part of the publication.

A presentation copy of Cythera - Finlay's kenetic booklet which is not often found signed.

A pristine example of HEADLINES PONDLINES of which only 7 (SEVEN) copies were produced as proof copies and which Finlay rejected as too poorly produced to allow the project to continue. Very few copies may have survived; we know of only two others.

A complete example of EVELINES PONDLINES. This portofolio of silkscreen prints (Murray claims this is a book hence our inclusion of it here although in practice this contains around 12 separate works) were carried out by John Furnival for his daughter Eve based on short texts sent by Finlay to the little girl (and completed with Finlay's permission). This publication is almost never encountered in any form and it is exceptionally rare in any condition even incomplete. Limitation was probably very small - John Furnival seems to remember only 30 or so copies being released.

A complete unbroken up copy of THE BLUE AND BROWN POEMS along with calendar and spiral binding which was often separated and the large silkscreens framed singly for separate sale (Murray notes the price as £2,000 uk pounds for a set of all 12 silkscreens in 1982!). Our copy is one of not many believed to remain in the original bound format.

A copy of POEMS TO HEAR AND SEE with the dustjacket which is often missing.

A copy of the SAILORS CALENDAR with the blank back page extant (usually missing).

A signed copy of SAIL/SUNDIAL.

One of the 26 LETTERED AND SIGNED (deluxe) copies of HONEY BY THE WATER aside from the larger limitation of 1,000 copies.

The original PROOF COPY of HOMAGE TO ROBERT LAX with a mistake in the text corrected in Finlay's own hand.

A signed copy of a PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH

One of only 75 signed copies of THREE SUNDIALS

One of only 75 copies of A SMALL CLASSICAL DICTIONARY

A presentation copy of INTERPOLATIONS IN HEGEL

A dedication copy of 5 PROVERBS FOR JACOBINS (within a small edition of 250 copies)

A copy of A CONCISE CLASSICAL DICTIONARY of which only 250 copies were released.

A signed copy of FLAKES

After 1992 Piag Simig, Finlay's long term assistant created a further cataloguing of books (with some overlap to the earlier catalogue) which was privately circulated via a few collectors and in certain other places but mostly used for internal inventory. We use that numbering system hereafter (some items in the Murray catalogue were also included in the Simig system under different numberings - where possible we have used the Murray system in preference to the Smilig system because of its primacy and more common usage.

After 1992 we can offer 38 books identified by their Simig number thus:

2.92.5; 2.93.1; 2.93.2; 2.93.3; 2.93.4; 2.94.1; 2.94.2; 2.94.3; 2.94.4; 2.95.1; 2.95.2; 2.95.3; 2.95.5; 2.95.8; 2.96.1; 2.96.2; 2.96.3; 2.96.4; 2.96.5; 2.96.6; 2.96.7; 2.96.8; 2.96.9; 8.96.2; 2.97.1; 2.97.2; 2.97.3; 2.97.4; 2.98.1; 2.98.2; 2.98.4; 2.98.5; 2.98.6; 2.98.7; 2.99.1; 2.99.2; 2.99.3; 2.99.4; 2.99.5; 2.99.6; 2.99.7; 2.99.8; 2.99.9; 2.99.10; 2.00.1; 2.01.1

In addition to the above we offer the following books and booklets which we do not know the Simig number for - titles are only offered here - most are hardback/bound in boards and are some of Finlay's most substantial publications.

5 x 1

RUBBER STAMPS FROM THE LITTLE SPARTA WAR (Limited edition of only 100 numbered copies - very rare)

PROEM

WILDWACHSENDE BLUMEN (with insert as issued)

FOUR SHADES 1992 (one of only 250 copies issued)

A HARBOUR OF ROSES (XMAS 1993 one of only 250 copies issued)

A BOOK OF WILD FLOWERS (XMAS 1994 one of only 250 copies issued)

UNSIGNED 1998 (XMAS 1995 one of only 250 copies issued)

SENTENCES 2005 (one of 1,000 copies)

THE BLUE SALE 2002 (Poems - published by WAX)

WE OFFER A TOTAL OF 175 BOOKS IN TOTAL AS PART OF THIS ARCHIVE INCLUDING THE COMPLETE EAVELINES PORTFOLIO WHICH SHOULD REALLY BE COUNTED AS AROUND 10 ITEMS IN ITSELF



CARDS AND FOLDING CARDS

Up to 1992 Ian Hamilton Finlay produced 319 artist postcards and folding cards and paper sculptures that are catalogued by Murray. Formats varied and the limitations were almost always small - the largest no more than 500 copies and the vast majority in a limitation of 350 copies - with some other print runs being much much smaller. Some items were not for sale and only circulated as gifts or by subscription - usually each Christmas holiday.

We offer 271 separate cards by Finlay usually under his own imprint - of which some are very, very rare - the collection includes almost a complete run of Finlay's earliest cards including almost all important paper sculptures (some in a number of variants of colour or text). The archive here is missing only 9 of the first 150 cards published by him (and only 4 of the first 100 all of which are Finlay's rarest cards).

Additionally one very significant artist card (probably his first card ever) which is unknown elsewhere in the Finlay literature is included herein as a signed and dated version (see below).

A complete list is available on request but with reference to the Murray Catalogue Raisonne only the following items are NOT included in this archive from the period 1958 - 1992 - the numbers refer to Murray's cataloguing system.

4.2; 4.13; 4.33; 4.49; 4.56; 4.114; 4.119; 4.120; 4.143; 4.153; 4.157; 1 items missing from 4.158, other 4 ARE present here; 4.162, 4.165; 4.181; 4.185; 4.186, 4.195; 4.198; 4.206 - 4. 210; 4.224; 4.225; 4.231; 4.242; 4,244; 4.262; 4.263; 4.275(?check); 4.276; 4.287; 4.288; 4.292; 4.295; 4.296; 4.297; 4.298; 4.299; 4.300; 4.302; 4.304; 4.309; 4.310; 4.317; 4.319; 4.320; 4.323 - 4.327; 4.330 - 4.319

In addition within the cards included in this archive there are some very significant items - those of particular interest and worth of mention include:

An unknown artist card from 1964 with the text: “NET FISH STAR” which clearly relates to Finlay's Star print poems. This card is signed and dedicated (“Merry Xmas”) on the rear in blue ink by Finlay and predates the first known Finlay artist card (Standing Poem) by 2 years. It may be Finlay's first ever artist postcard. There is NO reference to this card anywhere in the Finlay literature. Perhaps the only example extant or even possibly unique.

Both variants of STANDING POEM 2 (APPLE/HEART)

A very good + example of the large paper sculpture EARTHSHIP complete with the original printed SHOEBOX containing it - it is understood (from a note from Sue Finlay we once saw) that ONLY 20 or so copies were released with the shoebox which contains instructions and images of how the paper sculpture should be displayed. Very good copies of Earthship are rare but with the shoebox they are very, very rarely encountered if at all.

An example of the STAR/STEER card along side the other 5 cards issued by other authors (the Finlay card was part of a larger set published for the 1967 Brighton Festival with contributions from other significant concrete poets) all in original envelope.

4 SAILS - available here in all THREE colour paper variants - yellow, blue and red.

XMAS STAR signed by Finlay's friend, collaborator and fellow concrete poet John Furnival.

ARCADIAN SUNDIALS signed by Finlay's friend, collaborator and fellow artist Margo Sandeman.

DAISIES with a hand signed inscription from IHF.

THE SEAWAVES with the folder that is usually missing.

All 3 different “TEA-CARDS” a scarce set of cards.

MOTORING CHOCOLATE SOLDIER with a hand written note from Finlay's then wife Sue Finlay who often dealt with the artist's administration and orders.

A WOODLAND FLUTE - which is signed and dated by Finlay by hand.

DADDY WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE LITTLE SPARTA WAR - which is not only signed by Finlay but bears an artist designed rubber stamp impression (one of Finlay's private mail art activities)

NEOCLASSICISM NEEDS YOU - which is not only signed by Finlay but bears a (different) artist designed rubber stamp impression (one of Finlay's private mail art activities). This card also notes that Finlay believes the addressee to be a “conchie” ie a conscientious objector and the charge of being a Conchie is being laid in relation to the Little Sparta War which took place when Finlay took on the local Regional Council and tried to have his garden registered as a place of worship rather than as an art gallery. Finlay's remark is probably a joke between friends.

SOMEWHERE IN THE WOODS with a personal message from Finlay to a friend which is signed.

FOLLIES WAR SPECIAL - with IHF handwritten note verso.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL TRUST - with IHF handwritten note verso.

After 1992 Piag Simig, Finlay's long term assistant created a further cataloguing of books (with some overlap to the earlier catalogue) which was privately circulated via a few collectors and made public in certain other places (including the exhibition catalogue SOUVENIRS 100 POSTCARDS BY IAN HAMILTON FINLAY but mostly used for internal inventory at Little Sparta. We use that numbering system hereafter (some items in the Murray catalogue were also included in the Simig system under different numberings - where possible we have used the Murray system in preference to the Smilig system because of its primacy and more common usage.

After 1992 we can offer a run of 344 cards missing (to the best of our knowledge) only 18 cards from the totality published (362).

The cards we are missing from the Simig listings are as follows (by year):

1992 3.92.2; 3.92.3; 3.92.8; 3.92..9; 3.92.11; 3.92.16; 3.92.17;

1993 3.93.11; 3.93.12; 3.93.15; 3.93.18;

1994 3.94.11; 3.94.19; 3.94.24;

1995 3.95.26; 3.95.46;

1996 3.96.57;

1997 We hold all cards available ie published by Finlay in 1997 ie none are missing to the best of our knowledge

1998 We hold all cards available ie published by Finlay in 1998 ie none are missing to the best of our knowledge

1999 3.99.42;

2000 We hold all cards available ie published by Finlay in 2000 ie none are missing to the best of our knowledge

2001 We hold all cards available ie published by Finlay in 2001 ie none are missing to the best of our knowledge

2002 To the best of our knowledge Finlay published NO cards in 2002

2003 We hold all cards available ie published by Finlay in 2003 ie none are missing to the best of our knowledge

Therefore from the period 1993 - 2003 we can offer all but 18 of the 362 cards published by Finlay in that ten year period

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ARTIST'S CARDS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 616.



POEMS/PRINTS/POSTERS According to Murray up to 1992 Ian Hamilton Finlay produced 193 prints and editioned posters that are catalogued (we exclude posters for exhibitions which are offered and catalogued elsewhere in this archive) Formats varied but most were either offset lithographed or silkscreened and the limitations were almost always small with most in 300 - 350 examples of fewer - and some print runs being much much smaller.

We offer 98 of those 193 different prints some of which some are very, very rare - the archive here is missing out only 35 of the first 120 prints published by Finlay i.e. the hardest to find works.

We offer the following prints (numbering from Murray)

5.3 - 5.7; 5.8 - 5.16; 5.18 - 5.23; 5.24, 5.26 - 5.29; 5.31, 5.33; 5.38 - 5.39; 5.41 - 5.45; 5.47 - 5.49; 5.51 - 5.67; 5.69, 5.70; 5.72; 5.74; 5.77 - 5.79; 5.85, 5.86; 5.88, 5.89; 5.92 - 5.100; 5.104; 5.106; 5.108 - 5.112; 5.116 - 5.124; 5.130; 5.133; 5.134; 5.138; 5.140; 5.148; 5,153; we also have 5.107 but this is erroneously described in earlier editions of the Murray catalogue raisonne and is in fact a lithograph of seedpacket covers.

It is also worth noting here that Murray makes a few other errors in his publications - for example 4 SAILS is noted as a print when it quote clearly should be a folding card (and we have included it in that list for purposes of this partial listing) and equally PEAR/APPEAR should also be noted as a folding card and not as a print moreover Murray has the size of PEAR APPEAR somewhat wrong (again we have included this card)

In addition within the prints included in this archive there are some very significant items - those of particular interest and worth of mention include:

Le Circus - perhaps Finlay's most rare print. Recently alone a donation of a surplus copy of Le Circus was accepted by a major US collection from the Sackner archive with a valuation of 7,000$ alone for that print.

A copy of ARCHANGEL inscribed by Finlay as a gift to a friend.

THE LITTLE DRUMMER - a very large print which was released only in 70 signed opies.

D1 - one of only 300 copies signed and numbered (actually again this really should be a classified to our mind as a folding card).

A few print posters are only catalogued in the Druckgrafik catalogue and we offer the following two items that fall into that situation:

4.94.1; 4.94.3

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRINTS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 100.



PROPOSALS

Finlay produced according to Murray 50 “Proposals” by 1992. These are the scarcest of his works - the limitations of some items being c. 20 copies (although some have larger limitations). Here we offer 7 of the “Proposals” using Murray's system of numbering:

6.10; 6.18; 6.25; 6.28; 6.29; 6.30; 6.48

Also not included in Murray's catalogue Raisonne

PROPOSAL FOR A TEMPLE FOR SAINT JUSTE 1994

A PROPOSAL FOR ARNE n.d.

A PROPOSAL (FOR THE GROUNDS OF THE SERPENTINE GALLERY)

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPOSALS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 11.



MISCELLANEOUS

Murray's catalogue raisonne includes a number of print and object multiples under the heading “miscellaneous”. This is slightly misleading because of the varied material and plastic aspects of these items but for consistency we here use his categorisation.

Murray notes there being 65 “miscellaneous” items of which we can offer here 22 items ranging from printed small items, badges, tiles, medallions and clothing. These items varied a great deal in cost even when in print and those items out of print are now greatly sought after - especially the medallions (of which we offer 3 different examples) and the tiles.

We offer the following items:

7.2 (our copy is signed with a Christmas letter appended); 7.4 (in original wooden box with insert - a very rare item indeed); 7.5 (a Xerox - in fact all copies were Xerox copies - something which Murray did not note in his catalogue raisonne); 7.7 (two of the 4 medallions - Thuderbolt steers all and Through a dark wood - the medallions are some of Finlay's most expensive object multiples and are estimated to be worth over 3,000$ each) 7.8 (an uncut unused example of this wargame complete with instruction leaflet and original shipping card covers); 7.9 (2 variations on different paper); 7.13; 7.17; 7.19; 7.20; 7.21; 7.23; 7.25 (Murray has this as Saint-Just Sundial badge but the text is “Too many allegations too few examples” and relates to the Little Sparta War); 7.31; 7.41 (rare); 7.47 (rare); 7.49 (rare); 7.51 (“Zepher” not the other two items); 7.52; 7.61; 7.63 (large in red).

In addition we hold the following other object multiples and works in edition

THE SAINT JUSTE VIGILANTES JULY 14 1989 8 different stickers in envelope (we have an incomplete set of 7 out of the eight stickers)

FLEUR DE L'AIR 2001 (Bottle of olive oil with Finlay label - one of 100)

LET US INVITE NATURE AND ALL THE VIRTUES TO OUR FESTIVALS (JAP POT LABEL) An example of the label aside from the limited edition of 15 posts of jam.

WILDFLOWER A MEAN TERM BETWEEN REVOLUTION AND VIRTUE A vase with silkscreened text which is expected to hold a wildflower. One of a very small edition - perhaps only 10.

TOM DICK OR HARRY - small clothing label mounted on card - a uncatagorised multiple - unknown limitation

REED PIPE - One of 150 prints in an envelope 1990

Two sets of stamps - HARVESTER PD98 and GLEANER B275 

Passport - an artist's book which contains 2 rubber stamp impressions by Finlay

ANTHOLOGY - artist's book of only 200 copies which we have added 2 multiples by Finlay of 2 embroidered small clothing labels with texts - SCARLET THREAD AND SILVER ECHO

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS (INCLUDING ARTIST'S MULTIPLES) OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 39



EXHIBITION CATALOGUES AND RELATED BOOKS

According to Murray there were 47 exhibition catalogues until 1992 (although in actuality there were many more than Murray knew of - some of which we will offer here). Of the 47 listed we can offer 30 items.

We offer the following: 8.2; 8.3; 8.4; 8.5; 8.7 (complete with errata slip); 8,8; 8.9; 8.10; 8.11; 8.12; 8.13; 8.14; 8.15; 8.17; 8.19; 8.20; 8.21; 8.22; 8.23; 8.24; 8.25; 8.30; 8.31; 8.32; 8.34; 8.35; 8.40; 8.42; 8.43 (3 volumes); 8.44.

In addition we can offer 17 additional exhibition catalogues from the period 1969 - 2006 that are not noted in Murray.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 50



EXHIBITION CARDS AND POSTERS

In his 1992 supplement to his catalogue raisonne Murray added a new section for exhibition cards and posters - he did not number this section. He noted only 13 examples of such posters and cards - we offer 3 of those items:

Nativity 1990 Evening Star 1991 The Poor Fisherman 1991

In addition we can offer 15 announcement cards for various Finlay exhibitions and three exhibition posters to shows and group shows with Finlay's name apparent.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 21



MORNING STAR PUBLICATIONS Murray notes as his final section in the catalogue raisonne, the publications of Morning Star which was a publishing venture realised by Alex Finlay - Ian Hamilton Finlay's son. It is moot whether these items should be included in a Finlay archive but we offer here some of those items most apposite to Finlay himself i.e. the items that have some obvious link to Finlay's own work.

We offer the following: 9.1 - 9.10; 9.12; 9.14.

In addition we offer the following 2 items from Morning Star which are clearly related to Finlay:

Impending Navigation Bright 1994 which includes a poem from IHF

Rubber Stamps from the Little Sparta War Artist's book 1997 with direct hand applied ink stamp impressions - one of 100 copies. Rare. This item we have already noted as a book so only mention this in passing here.

CUP DE MONDE A collection of 4 postcards including one from IHF 1998

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 49



LETTERS

We offer a collection of original letters and copies of letters (copies sent out from Finlay not merely later copies) and related correspondence from Finlay to a variety of friends (and enemies) from the period 1977 - 1984). Finlay was a very active correspondent and many of his letters are very interesting and informative - some letters deal with explanations of his work, others are polemical in intent attacking foes and summoning support from friends - others are just notes of thanks and appreciation but almost all are worth reading. NB: Finlay also kept carbon copies of letters (often sending ccs of letters he felt useful to others) and also kept copies for his own files.

We offer 40 letters and copies of letters from Finlay - many relating to the Little Sparta War and one letter from Sue Finlay. Some copies and some letters are signed in ink by Finlay or Sue Finlay. Many of the letters have associated material attached to them.

Many letters have more than one page. Several letters are typed or printed on Little Sparta stationery - which in themselves are minor artworks by Finlay (we have 4 variations of letterhead used by Finlay in this archive)

There are a few stand out items in this section of the archive:

A discussion of “Persiflage” the book with some insight into the poet's intent.

9 letters of copies of letters relating to the Little Sparta War

One letter retorting a suggestion that Thames and Hudson had accused Finlay of being anti-semetic.

Four letters regarding the Scottish Arts Council “raid” on the Temple at Little Sparta.

A copy of a long letter discussing various works in progress including RIPPLE and TWO EPICUREAN POEMS; 3 DEVELOPMENTS and other books.

A hand signed letter from 1984/85 which lists three one line poems typed in Finlay's own hand.

Two letters to Robin Crozier (the English Fluxus artist) relating to the production of “EXERCISE X”: one of Finlay's artist's books. One letter is hand written, the other a typescript (both are signed and with hand addressed envelopes) but the latter is an extensive (4pp) exegesis of the book and Finlay's intent behind it - a major insight into the mind of the poet.

In additional we include seven (7) envelopes hand addressed in Finlay's hand which have various ink rubber stamp impressions on them which are typical of Finlay's mail art. One envelope has also on it a single example of a Cinderella stamp designed and published by Finlay attacking Strathclyde region. Such stamps are rarely encountered and this is in itself a very rare item. Several other hand addressed envelopes are also included.

A hand signed carbon copy of a vicious short letter to Councillor Logan, Chairman of the Scottish Arts Council

12 letters relating to the dispute with Michael Blum - who had claimed that Finlay was a Nazi sympathiser and anti-semitic. The 12 letters consist of almost 50 pages of Finlay texts and associated press clippings and circular letters.

A letter to Carton Williams on a letterhead designed by Finlay that is not widely encountered (PAN the society of Garden Poets).

One additional letter (on two postcards) from John Furnival (Finlay's collaborator) to myself relating to some background to one of Finlay's projects.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LETTERS AND RELATED ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 48



CONTRIBUTIONS BY IAN HAMILTON FINLAY TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS (PAGE WORKS, ARTICLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS)

Neither Murray nor Simig note contributions by Finlay to other publications but the poet was far from inactive in this area. We offer 48 such items with either significant page works, contributions or articles relating to Finlay and Little Sparta. Some items are quite significant and contain works by Finlay not available in any other form.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 48



NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS AND XEROXES

We offer 5 xerox copies of the original Glasgow Herald newspaper stories that were Finlay's very first published works. It is nearly impossible to find the original newspapers nowadays because the Glasgow Herald was not then a national newspaper but rather a regional publication only serving the population of the city of Glasgow and to a small extent the West of Scotland.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 5



PRICE LISTS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND OTHER ITEMS

The Wild Hawthorn Press and Finlay sometimes published a variety of publicity material. The early price lists are useful as reference material (indicating some print runs and the relative prices of the early works as well as helping identification of some items). Here we offer a selection of such items

12 price lists (1965 - 1970) from the Wild Hawthorn Press some with hand-additions (probably by Sue Finlay) and corrections. Some are Xerox as issued.

Openings Press publicity and price list (ed Furnival with Finlay contributions)

Tarasque Press publicity and price list (with Finlay contributions)

CEOLFRITH 5 promotional brochure for Finlay publication

Promotional card for A WARTIME GARDEN

Promotional card for A ROCK ROSE

Promotional card for the ANTHOLOGY book (which Finlay contributed to and which was a Morning Star Press publication)

Promotional brochure for THE OLSEN EXCERPTS 1971

Promotional brochure for 30 SIGNATURES FOR SILVER CATCHES

Promotional brochure for Reacktion Books IHF: A VISUAL PRIMER

Promotional brochure for Graeme Murray Gallery with a Finlay c cover

Cover for Audio Arts cassette multiple with a Finlay installation pictured on the cover (no audio cassette but Finlay was not included on the cassette)

Promotional brochure for Finlay multiple (with elements which could allow it to be regarded as an artist's card) 1971 Rare.

2 Morning Star promotional brochures

Longhouse 2002 promotional brochure

Price list for exhibition of early works

Three art cards reproducing works by Finlay - commercially available souvenir art cards. One is signed by Finlay.

6 colour photographs of unique works by Finlay (all small machine printed)

8 colour photographs of paintings by Janet Boulton of Little Sparta and information sheet (Finlay approved of the paintings and they were made with his acceptance of the project) and a catalogue of the exhibition displaying the works.

Brochure advertising the Little Sparta Trust

Two business cards for Sue Finlay (following her split with IHF) one for her “gardening consultant” role - true ephemera.

A note in Ian Hamilton Finlay's hand on the certificate/covering colophon for the MARINE print “Love from Ian 4 January '69” obtained separately from the print offered above

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ITEMS RELATING TO PRICE LISTS AND OTHER ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS 51.



BOOKS AND MONOGRAPHS ABOUT IAN HAMILTON FINLAY

A small number of books and monographs about Finlay were published during his lifetime - sometimes with his active encouragement and participation.

We can offer 16 such monographs/books from the period 1970 to 2006.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LETTERS AND RELATED ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 16



UNIQUE ITEMS

Offered here are:

A very significant and possibly unique unpublished poem in the form of an original typescript signed and sent out by IHF at Xmas 1964 entitled LOOK, SEE. This may well be the very first work that could be identified as a concrete poem - the work is a series of vertical words connected by lines and the organisation of the words on the page are an important aspect of the work. Thus: 20 x 18cm, typed by Finlay himself and signed and dedicated by him to an unknown person “Victor”. The test reads “a/star/ah/afar/a/wee/wee/wan/wan” and apart from the amusing use of Scottish vernacular to make a sound and punning jokes the lines of the text one above each other and with connecting lines indicate the role of the star as a method of guidance and reflects the early interest Finlay had in stars as navigation (and religious terms also perhaps too given this was a Xmas gift). This is even more significant given it appears to be a half-way house between Finlay's early Scottish coothie poems with their slightly mawkish love of the dialect and his later concrete works. A very important item indeed and unknown in the literature.

The near complete maquette/lay-up for the Coelfrith 5 portfolio along with 8 of the original photographs (used for reproduction) as taken by Diane Tammes of Finlay and the early Little Sparta (missing one photograph) and the original typsetetting and mark-up as supplied to the printer along with 2 letters from the publisher all in the original handmade portfolio cards wiuth texts on them handwritten by Finlay. An unique item.

A unique framed photograph of Little Sparta by Robin Gillanders (a Finlay collaborator) from the series reproduced in the book Little Sparta.

THE TOTAL UNIQUE ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS THEREFORE 3 (ALTHOUGH THE COELFRITH PORTFOLIO ITEMS MIGHT BE REGARDS AS 8 SEPARATE ITEMS)



POSTHUMOUS ITEMS OF RELEVANCE

Offered here are:

The order of service at the memorial service for Finlay - 3 April 2006

The final artist's card - HORLOGUE DE FLORE - given out only to those attending the memorial service. A very scarce if somewhat sad item.

2 national Scottish newspapers carrying lengthy obituaries of Finlay

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSTHUMOUS ITEMS OF RELEVANCE OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS 4



IAN HAMILTON FINLAY IS DEAD

A small group of items from the posthumous show in Edinburgh which included the large wall poem by Philip Davenport “Ian Hamilton Finlay is dead” as well as a small Finlay exhibition of works. This show was not only the first posthumous exhibition of Finlay's work that we know of but also honoured the poet with a large wall poem installation by Davenport.

Invitation card (with reduced poem), poster and editioned (signed and numbered) print.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ITEMS RELATING TO THAT SHOW OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE IS 3.

(NB The original wall poem is available for sale as an unique installation work - please contact for details if interested)



THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ITEMS OFFERED IN THIS ARCHIVE AS A WHOLE IS 1,288 (ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHT) IF YOU HAVE A SERIOUS INTEREST IN THIS ARCHIVE PLEASE CONTACT US.

ALSO NOTE AS WITH ALL ARCHIVES ITEMS INCLUDED MAY BE ADDED TO OR REMOVED - HOWEVER BEFORE ANY SALE IS FINALISED WE WILL OFFER A COMPLTE CATALOGUE OF ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE SALE.