ARE THESE LEONARD COHEN MANUSCRIPTS?

[SeanTaylor]

Hello fellow fans of Leonard Cohen.

40 years ago I bought a second-hand copy of ‘LEONARD COHEN: Poems 1956-1968’ (Published London, 1969) in a London shop. And when I opened it a loosely inserted manuscript note fell out. It was an original poem, signed Leonard Cohen and dated 25 February 1970.

Then, when I read the book, I discovered it also contained some personal manuscript text on the final leaf which seems to be Leonard Cohen’s handwriting.

I have always treasured these items – moments from the year of Leonard Cohen’s first world tour. But I’ve now decided to put them up for auction.

I'm posting this to ask Leonard Cohen fans and experts for an opinion on the authenticity of the two manuscripts - also to let this community know that they will be made available, in case there’s someone out there who would like to have them next.

Warm wishes to all,

Sean Taylor (British children’s author, poet and playwright www.seantaylorstories.com )

Leonard Cohen book and poem.jpg (26.06 KiB) Viewed 7753 times

[jarkko]

Comment from Mr Robert Kory, Leonard's manager, lawyer and friend, and now Trustee of his Estate:

Does not look like LCs handwriting to me.
And LC did not use the European dating convention, day/month/year.

[Hartmut]

And LC did not use the European dating convention, day/month/year.

This is maybe the most disappointing aspect of all of this.

[Mabeanie1]

And LC did not use the European dating convention, day/month/year.

This is maybe the most disappointing aspect of all of this.

This does surprise me as our dating convention day/month/year is widely used in Canada - more so than the US convention in my experience - and of course Leonard lived in Europe for many years (though also in the US!)

Wendy

[SeanTaylor]

I agree with Wendy that the date format is not conclusive proof either way. I have looked into that and gather it's a format commonly used in Canada.

I cannot prove that the poem is genuine. But I have always believed it is.

And see below for the intriguing anonymous manuscript written (in pencil) in the back of the book.

What thoughts on that handwriting? And the language?

Again, I have always felt these were the kinds of thoughts / feelings Leonard Cohen may have been having, as a 35 year-old in a pivotal year of his life.


All best,

Sean Taylor

[dar]

These are likely notes from the owner of the book. Doesn't sound like LC at all. My guess is he wouldn't "journal" in this style at all.

[SeanTaylor]

With all due respect <dar>, this isn't journaling. It’s a message … a reflective, decisive one … perhaps to a lover.

As I've said above, I can't prove that this manuscript, or the hand-written poem that was in the book when I bought it (signed ‘Leonard Cohen’), were definitely written by LC.

But what thoughts on the handwriting at the back of the book (photographed above)?

Doesn't it seem very much the same as, for example, the sample of Leonard Cohen’s handwriting from 1970 below?

Both manuscripts even contain the word 'waiting', for comparison.

All thoughts welcome.

I’m posting here out of respect for the collective wisdom of this forum.