Four illustrated manuscripts made by W.H. Leggett of Pontiac, Michigan between 1943-1947 by W.H. Leggett [William Haight Leggett (1859-1954)]

[Pontiac, Michigan, 1943-1947]. Four ribbon-tied booklets: [10], [4], [4] and [8]ff. 5½ x 4¼ to 7¼ x 5½ inches. Minor chipping at edges of some leaves; overall, very good.

These four illustrated manuscripts have hand-lettered text and 20 tipped-in impressionistic and moody watercolor and gouache drawings made by William H. Leggett of Pontiac, Michigan.

Each contains an original poem or poetical greeting-religious or spiritual in nature. These are: "Musings," "Christmas Greeting 1946 - Belated," "Scenes in California," and "Thou."

The earliest, "Musings," dates from February 1943 and was given Leggett's granddaughter "...hoping it may detract her mind for a few minutes from the terrible war." It has eight watercolor illustrations with heavy gouache highlights. Opposite a scene of dawn or twilight, for example, are the verses "Touched by a light / that hath no name / A Glory never sung - / Aloft on sky / and mountain wall / Are God's Great pictures hung."

The poetical "Christmas Greeting. 1946 - Belated" was made by Leggett in "His 88th year." This poem tells in simple vignettes the story of Jesus' Nativity. Its three original tipped-in watercolor illustrations are captioned "The Annunciation," "The Wise Men," and "The Flight into Egypt." Somewhat pictorial, the images evoke more ethereal or spiritual feelings. Figures in white and the star of the "Wise Men" are the main focus. Surrounding each illustration, Leggett has drawn a frame in crayon.

The third manuscript has three watercolors with heavy gouache highlights to accompany "Scenes in California." Dated February 3, 1947, the poem evokes images of a "Priestess," "ancient philosophy," "the beauty of life," and "myrtle breathing its fragrance into space." The carefully composed images almost give the impression of theatrical stage drawings. Mysterious figures are positioned in two of the "scenes" while a third illustration shows the sun over water.

The final manuscript contains the poem "Thou." Intriguingly, "Thou" is signed at the end: "An Artist Musicians teaching to Her students, metamorphosed by W.H. Leggett...in gratitude." Six original illustrations are captioned "Thou," Thine to release," "Thou Quickened," "A Sweet, Sweet, memory," Lendest a Glory," and "The Long night traveler". Each has its own thoughtful and calming verse.

Leggett's art accentuates the mood of his spiritual poems. A contemporary source notes his popularity as an artist in his home town: "As a hobby Mr. Leggett many years ago took up painting, and some of his work in water colors now occupy places in many homes in Pontiac and elsewhere."

Ref. RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: Leggett of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England and West Farms (Bronx), New York. [and:] Find A Grave Memorial: William Haight Leggett (1859-1954) - accessed online. Griffis, The Rutgers Graduates in Japan... (Rutgers, 1916), p30.

Notes: Leggett gifted these manuscripts to his granddaughter, Marguerite E. Hondelink (b. 1907, in Japan), shown in the 1940 US Federal Census as living in Rochester, New York as a high school music teacher. Her father, Garret D. Hondelink, was a clergyman, a missionary to Japan, and a native of Michigan. Leggett kept a studio address of 101 N. Saginaw Street in Pontiac, Michigan since at least 1923. The news article, "Music Has Filled 89 Years for Famous Pontiac Settler" in The Pontiac Daily Press March 3, 1948 states Leggett was a music teacher, violinist, violin collector, and water color artist. Further, it was noted that "for many years [he] produced good work as an artist, liking water colors the best."