Interesting Addtion
An interesting addition: An unbound copy of Ox Mountain Parable of Meng Tzu (1960) – introduction by Thomas Merton. It is consists of two folded sheets (11×17) laid into a cloth, custom fitted, latched book box. It is surmised that these pages were sent by Victor Hammer (Stamperia del Santuccio)
Unique Discovery
A unique discovery, with a Merton connection: A lovely small illuminated folder “He Abideth – From a XIV Century Manuscript” [1965] published by Stanbrook Abbey Press and illuminated by Mararet Adams, with text provided by Thomas Merton. Full text reads “He abideth patiently He forgiveth easily He understandeth mercifully He forgetteth
Pamphlet Addition
A most interesting Merton pamphlet addition: The Pope of the Virgin Mary [1956], (15 pages) published “with ecclesiastical approval” by The Marion Library, University of Dayton, Ohio. This format is exceedingly rare with only 2 others located on the WoldCat database of libraries.
Extraordinary Find
An extraordinary recent find: Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1956), published by Victor Hammer’s Stamperia del Santuccio. This is a prayer printed on one sheet, French-folded, to make four printable pages (8 total). This copy is inscribed by Thomas Merton: “Very gratefully and with the promise of special
Most Rare
A very rare Merton book was added to this collection recently – arguably the rarest of all, with only 5 presentation copies printed. Here are the details: Waters of Silence (1950) published by Theodore Brun – limited deluxe presentation edition (number IV of V). Details: Leather, no jacket (as issued). A
Noteworthy Inscription
I received the following inscription in a Merton related periodical from a former editor of a successful national quarterly literary journal (to which Merton had been a contributor in the 1960’s): “To Albert Romkema, A true voyager who has walked the walk (yes sir, big time) and who has created one of
Article Published
I have had an article published in The Merton Seasonal: A Quarterly Review (in the Summer 2013 issue, Vol. 38, No.2). It is titled, “Be What You Are: Thomas Merton on Vocation”. The table of contents can be viewed at http://merton.org/ITMS/Seasonal/seasonal2013.aspx
Shift of Focus
This past year marked a shift of focus in the composition of the collection. Whereas over the past number of years I have mostly limited my search to Merton items alone, I have recently begun adding items from friends, family members, acquaintances and contemporaries of Merton. This has surely been