Preferred citation: St John's College library, Papers of H.E. Bates.
Born into a family of Northamptonshire shoemakers, H.E. Bates is best known as a writer of short stories and novels. The first of his many novels appeared in 1926; he also wrote regular magazine columns and nature essays. It was for short stories that he won critical acclaim. During the Second World War, he was appointed to the Royal Air Force as a writer, producing highly popular morale-boosting short stories under the pseudonym of Flying Officer X. From the 1940s onwards, his novels became best-sellers; his output also included children’s books, two books on gardening, and three volumes of memoirs. A wider audience has been introduced to his fiction through successful film and television adaptations, the best known of which is probably 'The darling buds of May'.
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This material was kept by Constance Amelia Sharman (née Ginns), who was a close friend of Bates during his teenage years, when his creative efforts were directed towards art and poetry rather than the prose writing which he later made his career. The collection includes sketches, poems, letters and photographs. First editions of some of his books, which he gave to ‘Con’, accompany the collection, and are catalogued on iDiscover.
Open for consultation
This collection was the property of Constance Amelia Sharman (née Ginns) and was given to the College in 2010 by her son John Michael Sharman (BA 1955).
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Correspondence, poems, sketches, press-cuttings, photographs, and correspondence relating to the deposit of the collection
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Correspondence from H.E. Bates to Mrs Sharman from 1969-70, correspondence between Mrs Sharman and K.R. Geering regarding his request for copies of H.E. Bates' early poems for publication; typed copies of those early poems; photographic postcards of Kettering Grammar School dramatic productions featuring H.E. Bates.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
undated.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
undated.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
undated.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
undated.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
undated.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
undated.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
undated.
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Typed copy of poem, presumably to be included with letter of 16 Aug. 1973.
First date is from postmark on envelope. Envelope and contents do not match. Bates married Madge in July 1931, and their daughter Ann was born in 1932.
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Contains a typed copy of a poem 'Once beneath heaven's gaze', a greetings card from Bert and Madge to Con and Johny, and a black and white photograph of H.E. Bates with Ann as a baby.
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Informs Con that the first volume of his autobiography 'The vanished world' is to appear in September, covering 1908-1926. He hopes that his portrait of her is done with accuracy and affection, but thinks it only right that she should see it before the book appears. He will send her a copy. Informs her that he now has 9 grandchildren and gives her other family news.
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Informs her that the proofs of his autobiography have been delayed by a printing strike, so he probably won't be able to send her a copy. A section of the book is being printed in the 'Times' and it will feature her, so she may get her leg pulled. Assures her it is written with nostalgic affection. He will send a copy of the book when it is published in October.
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Expresses pleasure that she enjoyed the extract of his autobiography in the 'Times'. He will send her a copy of the book when he and Madge are back from their holiday in Venice. Will be in Rushden for an autobiography-cum-cocktail party on 15 Oct and could visit her. Apologies for getting her age wrong. Mentions seeing old friends. He doesn't know how many of his manuscript poems she has, but he could put her in touch with an American agency who would give her a good price. Many of his manuscripts are in American universities. It looks like his book will be a big success. He and Madge send good wishes.
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Printed invitation card from Bankside Library to an evening with H.E. Bates at Skew Bridge Ski Club, Northampton Road, Rushden, 'when Mr Bates will introduce and sign copies of his autobiography'.
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Thanks her for her letter. Tells her that the art of fiction consists of telling lies, whereas in autobiography one tells the truth as one remembers it. Refers to the ending of their 'beautiful young friendship' and that it was never his intention to hurt her. His portrait of her was done out of affection. Con will not appear in the second part of his autobiography, but he will still send her a copy.
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Informs her that H.E. Bates is unwell. Mr Geering is obtaining copies of his published and unpublished poems for publication, and asks Mrs Sharman if he might have copies of those in her possession. Mentions that H.E. Bates has received a CBE.
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Thanks her for her congratulations and her help with the poems. Gives her permission to send them to Geering, who is an old and trusted friend. He will send her a copy when the book is published. His health is improved and he is enjoying the garden. He lost his mother (aged 94) and sister last year, and believes he is getting more like his mother as he gets older. His wife agrees that he is certainly as stubborn. Sends best wishes to Con and her husband.
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Sends him copies of H.E. Bates' poems. Is glad that they will be published, as she felt Bates should be known as a poet as well as an author. Explains which poems were manuscript and which typed.
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Belatedly thanks her for sending copies of H.E. Bates' poems. Informs her that Bates is in hospital and not at all well.
undated
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Typed copies of poems: 'Days that are come again', 'The hour', and 'Unrest' in an unmarked envelope.
Date inferred from contents.
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Sends congratulations on the CBE. Is sorry to hear he has been unwell. Checks that he is happy for her to send copies of poems to Mr Geering, commenting that some are unsigned, so their authenticity might be questioned, although they are undoubtedly his work. Hopes that the book of poems will be successful.
undated.
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Typescript poem.
undated.
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Typescript poem.
Date inferred from Bates' schoolyears.
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Photographic postcard of school play. Note on reverse 'H.E. Bates centre back'.
Date inferred from Bates' schoolyears.
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Photographic postcard of school play.
Date inferred from Bates' schoolyears.
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Photographic postcard of school play. Note on reverse 'H.E. Bates 3rd from left back row'.
Date inferred from Bates' schoolyears.
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Photographic postcard of school play.
Date inferred from Bates' schoolyears.
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Photographic postcard of unnamed school play. Note on reverse 'H.E. Bates standing near the bishop'.
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Large notebook labelled "Connie Ginns, 1922". Contains handwritten copies of several of H.E. Bates' poems (typed copies of most of which are in folder 1): Heart's desire, January 1922; The breath of autumn, September 9th 1921; Evening, November 1921; Oh! Wind be still, October 1921; The Lady April, February 1921; My Lady, November 1921; Winter and spring, January 1921; The dark and silent lady, January 1922; The link with the past, January 1922; January - peace, January 13th 1922; Heredity, January 25th 1922; Sun romance, February 1922; A queen of hearts, February 1922; Three of beauty's daughters, January 1922.
Some articles are undated.
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Press cuttings and articles relating to H.E. Bates
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Correspondence addressed to Mr M Sharman (John Michael Sharman) regarding the possible deposit of the Bates material at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
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Individual sketches drawn by H.E. Bates.
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Circular sketch of a woman 'Iduna' signed H.E. Bates and dated.
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Sketch of a soldier, 'An Indian Imperial Cadet', signed H.E. Bates and dated.
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Sketch of a soldier, unnamed, signed H.E. Bates and dated
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Circular sketch of a woman 'Maya', signed H.E. Bates and dated.
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Circular sketch of a woman 'Otomie', signed H.E. Bates and dated.
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Ink sketch of 'Jeanne D'arc' signed H.E. Bates and dated.
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Sketch of a boxer dog, signed H.E. Bates and dated.
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Sketch of a small terrier-like dog, signed H.E. Bates and dated
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Sketch of a woman 'Doreen', signed H.E. Bates and dated
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Sketch of a 'Great Greyshrike' bird on a branch, signed H.E. Bates and dated.
Date circa.
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Coloured ink sketch on lined paper of an Indian solder on a rock, firing a gun. Not signed or dated.
Date circa.
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Sketch of a man 'Rio Oermejo Indian' signed HEB. Undated.
Date circa.
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Sketch of a woman 'Kathleen', unsigned and undated.
Date is the date the sketchbook was given. Some sketches were drawn in 1919.
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Sketchbook dedicated 'to Con' and signed 'Sincerely yours, Bert. Jan 7th 1920'. Contains several drawings of various animals and birds, plus sketches of W.E. Gladstone, a soldier, a girl, a woman, and a fairy.
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Miscellaneous documents extracted from the book collection.
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Reprinted from the Times Literary Supplement
Only the 'Evening telegraph' article is dated.
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Article from 'Evening telegraph' about the publication of 'The blossoming world'; article about the H.E. Bates memorial short story competition; captioned photograph of H.E. Bates.
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Booklet containing the first, second, and third prize-winning entries in the third annual competition. 2 copies.
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Letter regarding the future publication of a book about H.E. Bates.
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Letter regarding the publication of 'H.E. Bates: a literary life', enclosing the dust-jacket blurb about the book, which is now published.
Some drawings undated
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Single art works in pencil, charcoal, and watercolour, two sketchbooks, and one framed oil painting.
Note on reverse: Painted in 1921 by H.E. Bates .. and presented to Dora Ginns, Desborough.
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Depicts sailing boats with rowing boat in foreground. Signed H.E.B.
Signed "H.E. Bates '21"
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Stylised sailing boat with mermaid figurehead, drawn within an arch. Unframed.
Circa. Undated.
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Circular drawing of a man in medieval dress sitting on a rock by a tree, with a pathway stretching into the distance, and a cat.
Signed "H.E. Bates 1919".
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Medieval knight with spear and shield standing on a battlement, with rectangular border of foliate design.
Circa. Undated.
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Child standing on a stool in front of a mirror
Circa. Undated.
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Portrait.
Final page is signed "Sincerely yours Bert. Feb. 25th 1920"
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Contains seven pencil drawings of birds, all signed H.E. Bates 1920.
Final page is inscribed "Yours sincerely Bert. March 7th 1920".
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Contains seven pencil drawings, all signed H.E. Bates 1920, depicting: Conway Castle (2 views), birds, and "Daphne".