Lucknow: In a fascinating find that bridges the past with the present, the staff of Tagore Library at Lucknow University unearthed one of the first books accessioned into its collection during a routine cleaning drive.This rare discovery dates to 1924 and onwards, four years after the library was officially established in 1920. The book, titled ‘Eighty Poems’, is an anthology edited by LAG Strong and printed in Great Britain by the Shakespeare Head Press.The editor of ‘Eighty Poems’, Leonard Alfred George Strong, popularly known as LAG Strong, was a renowned English novelist, critic, historian, and poet. He is also known for works such as ‘Dublin Days’ and ‘The Lowery Road’.The anthology was printed by the Shakespeare Head Press, a historically significant fine press established in 1904 by AH Bullen in Stratford-upon-Avon.Originally founded to produce a high-quality edition of Shakespeare’s works in his hometown, the press was later known for printing other notable literary works and played an important role in the private press movement of the early 20th century.Tagore Library was established in 1920 and was initially housed in the old Bennet Hall and later expanded with a separate reading room in 1924. The current library building was inaugurated in 1941.According to Tagore Library officials, the books, including ‘Eighty Poems’, were ordered shortly after the establishment of Tagore Library in 1920 and arrived in 1924. This marked the first formal accession of titles into the library’s growing collection.According to Lucknow University officials, the books, including ‘Eighty Poems’, were ordered shortly after the establishment of Tagore Library in 1920 and arrived in 1924 and onwards. This marked the first formal accession of titles into the library’s growing collection.The book’s rediscovery was verified through the original accession registers and the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) system, both of which confirm ‘Eighty Poems’ as the inaugural entry in the library’s holdings. The anthology comprises a rich variety of poetic voices from the early 20th century, offering a snapshot of literary sensibilities of the time.Among the poets featured in the collection are Claude Colleer Abbott with Wantons, J Redwood Anderson’s ‘The Hay’, Jane Barlow’s ‘Sorrow for One’, and Clifford Bax’s ‘Unbuilding the Ship’. Other notable contributors include JM Blake (Music), Edmund Blunden (The Scythe), R Campbell (Bongwi’s Theology), and Wilfred Rowland Childe with a series of works like ‘The Descent of the Dreamer’ and ‘The Gothic Rose’.The collection also includes works by Richard Church (The Lantern), Oswald Couldrey (Monsoon Failure), AS Cripps (Love Pagan), Gerald Crow, Oliver Davies (Time on the Embankment), and Vivienne Dayrell (Late May), among others.”The rediscovery of ‘Eighty Poems’ is more than just a historical moment, it is a reminder of the intellectual legacy this library carries. Verified through the old accession register and the OPAC system, finding the first book ever accessioned brings us closer to the roots of Tagore Library’s journey and inspires us to preserve such treasures for future generations,” said Honorary Librarian, Tagore Library, Keya Pandey.”The rediscovery of the first book of Tagore Library is a moment of pride for the university. It reflects our commitment to knowledge and scholarship and connects us with the vision on which this institution was founded,” said Vice-Chancellor, Prof Manuka Khanna.
