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Inscribed in black ink on front endpaper: ‘To Bob Menzies in appreciation from Tom Inglis Moore. I hope you’ll read – and understand – / This lucid volume from my hand, / And find, perhaps, a line or two, / That may commend itself to you, / And say, “[indecipherable] bad or good / At least ‘e can be understood!” Canberra, 27.1.57’.

This book including the draft papers were gifted by Tom Inglis Moore to Menzies, inscribed with a signature and a handwritten poem. His use of “in appreciation” may infer a strong bond or relationship with Menzies, though this is just speculation. Moore spent his career as a critic, writer and academic, becoming an active member of the advisory board of the Commonwealth Literary Fund. Written after the war, this collection still showcases Moore’s inclination towards romantic heroism and sensitivity in conjunction with the fine images which accompany his poems. Moore retired as a keen gardener, still upholding his desire to learn and create.