Special Collections

SIXTH FORM Special Collections

Huddled together in the Memorial Library on a balmy June day, a group of Year 12 pupils took turns attempting to decipher a handwritten note.

Inside a copy of Music from Prime Minister, Edward Heath, to Old Portmuthian, Sir Peter Carey (OP 1933-41) the words were at first, a challenge... “How many hippy dippies?”. A prepared transcription was eventually required to untangle the knotted scrawl: “With many happy memories of the BOT (Board of Trade) and with warm wishes for the future.”

The above session, with members of the Historiography Club, saw pupils sift through selections from the Sir Peter Carey Collection to piece together a picture of his career from university leaver to Permanent Secretary for the Department of Trade and Industry. Over the last two years, we have been rethinking the way we handle legacy items and special collections, restructuring their organisation and building in learning opportunities. Thumbing through the special collections offers tantalizing glimpses into a PGS who’s who: the late Simon Gray’s (OP 1945-47) plays, donated by his widow Victoria; a signed copy of the 1936 boy’s own adventure Ringed by Fire by Percy F. Westerman (OP 1890-94) (although the true gems of the Westerman collection are the inscriptions in the gifts of proud parents. My favourite is: 'To my dear son Terry. A reward for trying so hard. Let your motto be “Never despair, Try, Try Again” December 1947.’); the autobiography of Olympic silver medalist Roger Black (OP 197784); Hannah Kohler’s (nee Wozniak, OP 1991-98) critically acclaimed debut novel, Outside Lands; and the current Head’s scholarly work, Platonic Dialogue and the Education of the Reader. and exist as a bridge between the PGS Library and the Archives. They represent the achievements of former pupils and members of staff; cover local history (Hampshire, Sussex, and Isle of Wight); and include a few rarities and artefacts. As well as refining their presence on the catalogue, we have begun to build lessons and classroom activities around them, with the aim of promoting their existence and enhancing pupils’ research skills.

The collections include:

The Walter Hammond Collection: Walter “Wally” Hammond (OP 1916-18) was a Cricket legend and England captain, considered one of the best batsmen of the game. We have a number of books chronicling his career and examining his place in the history of the sport.

The Percy F. Westerman Collection: Westerman was a prolific “boy’s own” author who wrote over 170 thrilling yarns, most of which have a nautical theme. The collection also contains works by his son, John F. C. Westerman.

The Sir Peter Carey Collection: Donated by Sir Peter in 2005, this collection contains his course books from his days at Oriel College, a few items relating to his time with British Intelligence during WWII, a large number of politics books from the 1970s-90s, and some volumes of poetry, art, and travel.

The Local History Collection: Covering regional, nautical, and public school-related history books, pamphlets and journals. Included are a number of works by the school’s archivist, John Sadden. We also hold a number of rare books, ex-prize-giving books with historic bookplates, limited bequests and donations, and other oddities collected over the history of the PGS Library. For more information, please contact us at librarian@pgs.org.uk

Carol Webb