Object of the month, Jan and Feb 2009
Personal correspondence of Ruth and Eddie Frow
Every month a volunteer will chose an interesting object, book or document from the Library collection, which will be displayed in the hall of the Library.
February's object is the personal correspondence of Ruth and Eddie Frow, 1953-1954
Eddie and Ruth first met in August 1953 at a Communist Party Summer School. From this time until they moved to Manchester together, they wrote to each other almost every day. Many of the letters discuss in great detail a passion that they both shared: Books on the labour movement.
Ruth jokes in one letter:
"I really believe you are far more attracted to my books than to me. Were your intentions strictly honourable before you saw my library?"
In this letter Eddie asks Ruth's opinion on a new leaflet on Feudalism and Capitalism. Many of the letters contain their views on books and pamphlets they have read.
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35 Cresswell Grove Manchester 20 29 Nov 1954 Dear Ruth It is a cold wet night here. In the bus have been reading the booklet on the transition from Feudalism to Capitalism. The argument all seems to revolve round an analysis of the economic factors without taking into account the dynamics of the class struggle. Reading Vol 3 of Mao's works on Feudalism in China one is led to compare the two. The first time you have an opportunity to read this I would like to know what you think... |
In this letter Ruth discusses her trip to a bookshop. She later secretly buys Alymer Vallence's William Morris as a present for Eddie. In a later letter, Eddie describes William Morris as his hero.
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16 St George's Drive SW1 15.1.54 Dear Eddie ...After school , I felt like walking in the mild air, so I walked home; on the way I just happened to pass - or to fail to pass- a very nice bookseller. ...I also looked thro Aylmer Vallance on W. Morris, his Art, Writing; Public Life. Have you got it? It contains some good plates of his work and I confess that to my uncouth and inartistic eye, the patterns are too ornate and flamboyant,almost baroque... |
Eddie drew this plan of their first house in Didsbury, Manchester with suggestions of where to place the furniture. Every room has a bookcase. Ruth jokingly points out in her next letter that Eddie forgot to include the kitchen and other more practical items of furniture in his plan.
