The State We’re In
N.C. Collection
Gets Rare Book
Wolfe Gave To Mother
Critics were quick 10 speculate that
the domineering mother of
Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homtwnn!
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was a thinly veiled characterization
of the author's own mother. But that
didn’t stop Wolfe from making sure his
mom received a specially inscribed copy
just davs before the modem classic hit
the shelves in 1929.
Now that rare lirsK'dition copy has a
new home in the North Carolina
Collection at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Mill, Wolfe’s alma
mater.
The book, along with five others
inscribed to family members, was pre¬
sented on behalf of Wolfe’s nieces and
nephews to honor his late sisters and
brothers — Efiie Wolfe Gambrcll. Frank
C. Wolfe, Mabel Wolfe Wheaton and
Fred W. Wolfe.
file books will Itecome part of the
Thomas Wolfe Collection, which began
with several hundred letters, scrapbooks,
clippings, photographs and other arti¬
facts given by Wolfe's siblings in 1950 to
Asheville's Bele Cherc Festival
Set For 18th Renewal July 26-28
North Carolina's largest street festi¬
val. Bele Chore, is set to lake place fot
the 18th time later this month in
Asheville.
July 26-28, more than than 300,000
people are expected to descend upon
the Tar Heel State’s "city in the sky"
for a weekend of mountain charm
and cultural activities against the
backdrop of the Blue Ridge
Mountains.
During the festival, downtown
streets will be full of people, closing
from noon on Friday to 6 p.m. on
Sunday. More than 600 volunteers
will be used.
"This year’s festival will feature a
Phi*i Iiimm .viinillr l.im.,1»-. ami VhiliMi Ruirau
honor their parents. W.O. and Julia K.
Wolfe, and now includes more than
15,000 manuscripts, books and other
items. The North Carolina collection
also features a replica of a bedroom
from Wolfe’s childhood home in
Asheville.
“We are delighted to receive these
books from the Wolfe family." says
RoIkmi Anthony, curator
«>1
the North
Carolina Collection, the largest assem¬
blage of material on a single state in the
nation.
“The presentation copy of Look
Homeward, Ange! from
Гош
to his moth¬
er is especially exciting." Anthony says.
"The novel depicts what is arguably the
best-known mother-son relationship in
American literature. Since much,
although not all, ol the novel is autobio¬
graphical. we are simply thrilled to have
Mis. Wolfe’s personal copy ol her son’s
famous work."
The copy is inscribed with the mes¬
sage: “To my mother, Julia E. Wolfe. I
present this copy of my liist book, with
love and with hope for her happiness
and long lile." It is dated October 15.
1929 — three davs before the oflir ial
publication date.
" I his copy ol ljn>k Homeward, Ang r/is a
notable addition to our Wollc
Collec lion." says Alice Cot ten. referenr e
historian for the North Carolina
Collection. “The members of the Wollc
family lived with and treasurer! it lor
many years."
Besides Julia Wolfe's copy of
/ мок
Homeward, Ange! the family’s recent gilt
includes three copies ol OJ Time and the
River and two ol Ho m Death to Morning
inscribed for the author's mother and
sisters.
Gotten says UNC is an appropriate
home for the Irooks. noting that in a
1929 letter Wolfe recalled the Chapel
I fill school as being “as close to magic as
I've ever been." Wolfe studied playwrit¬
ing at the university, graduating in 1920.
Dr Joseph Flora, president of the
Thomas Wolfe Society and a UNC pro-
lessor ol English, says acquiring the* vol¬
umes helps the university in its quest to
document Wolfe's life. Carolina was
offered all ol Wolfe's personal collection
of books and manuscripts in the 1930s
but couldn't afford them because* of
tight resource's during the Depression.
That collection went to Harvard
University.
fhe volumes will be- available on
request for use by researchers and oth¬
ers visiting the North Carolina
Collection.
— I.iikh
Wwm
broad
ment.'
Chairperson K.
one
range of entertain-
says 1996 Bele Chore
Ray Bailey,
of manv officials who
have been striving to make
the event one of the top
street festivals in the United
States.
Activities for the festival
this year will include every¬
thing from a giant maze to a
hospital bed race, in addi¬
tion to the standard fare ol
arts and crafts, food, music,
spotting events and a chil¬
dren’s fimland.
For more infomation on
this year’s festival, call (701)
253-1009.
Ilio Stutc/IuK I'm
3