A.H. Nijhoff [MULTISIGNATI] - Twee meisjes en ik - 1952

A special little book from the 1930s, here in a 1952 edition with on the flyleaf a special list of signatures. (More info below) They were signed before 1958, the year of A. den Hertog's death, but the occasion is the question. Could it be a copy owned by A.H. Nijhoff himself?

On the adjacent page is a collection of handwritten signatures from prominent Dutch literary figures; these were probably gathered during a literary gathering, a signing session, or within a circle of contemporaries.

From top to bottom a few notable names are clearly recognizable: A. Roland Holst: at the top, just below "Josepha Mendels". This is the signature of Adriaan Roland Holst (1888–1976), one of the most celebrated Dutch poets of the 20th century, who was often called the "Prince of Dutch Poets".

JWF Werumeus Buning: clearly in a large handwriting in the upper middle section. Werumeus Buning (full name J.W.F. Werumeus Buning) was a well-known Dutch poet, writer and journalist active in the mid-20th century.

Johan Fabricius: found in the middle, recognizable by the distinctive curl under his name. Johan Fabricius (1899–1981) was a very prolific Dutch writer, adventurer and illustrator.

Annie Romein-Verschoor: she was a leading Dutch writer, historian and critic, best known for writing the introduction to the very first edition of Anne Frank's diary (Het Achterhuis) in 1947.

J.W. Hofstra: placed bottom left. Jan Willem Hofstra (1907–1991) was a Dutch novelist, journalist and theatre critic.

The author A.H. Nijhoff was married to the poet Martinus Nijhoff and had the name Netty Wind as a girl. Her pseudonym was advised by her husband to mislead critics. "Two Girls and Me" appeared in 1930 in installments in De Gids, the leading magazine of which her husband was editor, and a year later in book form. Reactions to the book were mixed. Christian critics reacted indignantly to the amoral character of the characters, the free sexuality and the suggestion of abortion and homosexuality. But Jan Campert, Jeanne van Schaik-Willing and Jan Slauerhoff hailed A.H. Nijhoff as a new and mature talent. They found her book evidence of ‘penetrating intelligence’ and ‘cosmopolitan allure’.

"Two Girls and Me" is the only work that has proven resistant to the test of time. During her life she was a writer with some recognition in literary circles. Partly this was due to the fact that she was the wife of one of the most famous poets of the Netherlands, partly it was also due to the strong vitality she conveyed in her work. The combination of her remarkable life and her oeuvre, which is both romantic and polemical in tone, makes A.H. Nijhoff a figure still evocative today.

Signed by: Josepha Mendels 1902-1995 / A. Roland Holst 1888-1976 / J.W.F. Werumeus Buning 1891-1958 / A. Viruly 1905-1986 / Johan Fabricius 1899-1981 / A. den Hertog 1889-1958 / Annie Romein-Verschoor 1895-1978 / Anthonie Donker / 1902-1965 / Garmt Stuiveling 1907-1985 / J.W. Hofstra 1907-1991 / Aar van de Werfhorst 1907-1994.

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