Enfolded Histories

Self-explanatory title. But more detail: the poetry.sg website on the Penang poet Margaret Leong (1921 to 2012) says this of one of her books: “A third book of poetry, Coral Sands, was in preparation, but as of yet no evidence of its publication exists.” I can’t find the book in the catalogues of the National Library in Singapore, nor NUS Library, nor the British Library.

At dinner in at the curryhouse at the Anderson Club in Ipoh (fantastic old boarding-school style printed menus and extremely good north Indian food, see below) I found the second volume of Coral Sands, which was published by Peter Chong and Co. in 1959 (printed in England by W. & J. Mackay and Co.).

I can confirm that at least the second volume of Coral Sands exists — it’s next to my keyboard right now. On the off chance that anybody is looking for this volume then please feel free to contact me.

Photograph of the frontispiece of Coral Sands (1959). Photograph: Jack Greatrex

The superb Andersonians’ Club in Ipoh. Photograph: Jack Greatrex.

The exceptional printed menu at the Anderson Curry House. Photograph: Jack Greatrex.