IV.B.10: Occasional Verses

“Humptydumpty Dublin” (1931)

Material Description and Collation

The manuscript is the front endpaper recto of Sylvia Beach’s copy of Haveth Childers Everywhere (London: Faber and Faber, 1931; see Slocum and Cahoon A42). Joyce’s wrote the verse vertically in black ink, with the spine of the book as the top margin.

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Measurements

The manuscript measures 18.9 x 13.2 cm.

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Contents

The manuscript is a parody of “Humpty Dumpty” about the publication of Joyce’s “Work in Progress” fragment Haveth Childers Everywhere in the Criterion Miscellany Series (London: Faber and Faber, 1931; Slocum and Cahoon A42).

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Dating

The manuscript is dated by Joyce: “10.10.931”.

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Other Markings

Joyce inscribed the manuscript to Sylvia Beach on the front cover verso, above the verse: “To | S. B. | J. J. | Copy of inscription in T.S.E’s [T.S. Eliot’s] copy of H.C.E. [Haveth Childers Everywhere] | now copied by J.J. for S.B.” and below the text “Paris | 10.10.931”.

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Publication

The manuscript has been reproduced in black and white photo-facsimile on JJA 1.346 and was published as the second verse of “James Joyce, Ad-Writer” (Slocum and Cahoon C83) in transition 21 (March 1932, p. [258]) and then in PSW, p. 139.

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Notes

Joyce gave this manuscript to Sylvia Beach.