“P. J. T.” (probably 1925)1
The manuscript is a loose sheet of grey unruled paper (Joyce’s stationary) in his hand in black ink, with writing on the verso only; the recto is blank.
“P. J. T.”
The manuscript measures 26.6 x 20.6 cm.
The manuscript is a limerick about Patrick J. Touhy, the Irish artist who painted portraits of Joyce and John Stanislaus Joyce and made drawings of Mary Jane Murray Joyce and Lucia Joyce, all of which are at in the Buffalo Joyce Collection.
Joyce probably wrote this manuscript in 1925 in Paris. Joyce sat for Touhy in Paris in the spring of 1924 (see Joyce to Weaver; LI 214–215).
Joyce’s address is printed in the upper right corner of the recto: “2 Square Robiac 192, rue de Grenelle”.
This manuscript has been reproduced in black and white photo-facsimile on JJA 1.334 and was published in Spielberg (p. 20) and then in PSW, p. 131.
Joyce gave this manuscript to Sylvia Beach. There is also an envelope addressed to Beach by Joyce with a note in Beach’s hand in blue ink that reads: “Patrick Tuohy | referring to his portrait | of JJ and many sittings | he demanded” and another envelope addressed by Joyce to Beach.