Visit to Cohen archives/Thomas Fisher Rare Book Room/Toronto

[Joe Way]

On Monday, June 4th, Dick & Linda Straub, Vern Silver, Evelyn Stein and I made our way over to the University of Toronto campus for a visit to the Cohen archives in the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Room. Anne had graciously set up an appointment for us with Jennifer Toews, the archivist in charge of the collection.

When we arrived, she took us to a reading room where she had placed quite a few articles that she thought we might find interesting. Among the collection were pictures, documents, books and many personal papers. For example, there was a stationary folder from a Ramada Inn (the type you find in a desk drawer in your hotel room) on this Leonard had written many potential verses to "Is This What You Wanted?" I wish that I could remember some of the unused verses-some quite interesting.

We were quite enthralled with the original paperback edition of the "Hypnotism" instruction manual that played a role in his novels.

There were also reports from his time at summer camp. I'm paraphrasing but I got quite a kick out of one comment-something like, "Leonard does very well on projects but it takes him a long time to complete them." There was also the certificate that showed he had passed the swimming test.

There were some items that fans had sent him including some things that we think Yvonne Hakze and Bea de Konig sent since it included pictures of them (probably from early issues of "Intensity").

When we were finished looking through all of these items, Jennifer very kindly took us down to the stacks where they are in the process of archiving much of the material. She told us that there are several boxes that are sealed and not to be opened for inspection due to Leonard's request for 50 years. As Dick mentioned, we were able to look through the typed manuscript of "Ballet of Lepers" in which Leonard had hand numbered the chapters. We also saw a first edition of "Let Us Compare Mythologies" that was a special printing that he may have given a family member. There were also galley copies of his books that he used to proof them prior to final printing.

There are many boxes of materials that have not yet been archived and we suspect that Leonard will continue to send materials.

Vern intends to go back with his camera and stand to take cover photos to add to the collection of cover art posted here at this site.

One of the questions that we asked Jennifer is where Leonard's archives stand in relation to the importance of the rest of their collection and she indicated that it was probably one of the most important that they have.

There are also some other very interesting items there. One of the current items displayed are the original sketches of the explorer, David Thompson.

I'm sure that I've forgotten some interesting details and hope that Dick, Linda, Vern & Evelyn will contribute their recollections. It was certainly a fascinating way to spend a morning and I would go back given the opportunity.

Jennifer said that with an id, items can be brought out and taken to a desk for study.

Joe

[lizzytysh]

"Leonard does very well on projects but it takes him a long time to complete them."

Prophetic and priceless understatement .


~ Lizzy

[Anne]

I work at U of T, so it was simple enough for me to arrange something when I knew a group of people were coming to town. Normally people can arrange to view items from the collection, but I contacted the archivist who agreed to present the highlights of the Collection to our group. It sounds like it was a fascinating event. My University has recognized the importance of Leonard's work for a very long time and because of that we have a very interesting amount of stuff in the archives.

Thanks Joe, for telling us a little about what you saw. I hope the others who were with you on that day will tell us more about what they remember.