Of Lost Time publishes letter collections and other research projects that spotlight influential moments in history.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist James Drake is the founder of the FSG Literary Unit, also known as Of Lost Time, which works within the London-based publisher Future Science Group to curate thematic letter collections. Of Lost Time usually publishes two research projects over the course of a year, either books or online archives. These projects recover lost or forgotten views from across the ages, each captured in letters that may otherwise never be shared.
1. Letters for the Ages: Sport
2022 will see Of Lost Time publish ‘Letters for the Ages: Sport’ , an illustrated anthology of almost 100 inspirational letters from across sporting history. The anthology will feature personal correspondence between celebrated athletes, sharing their achievements and discussions on their teammates and rivals. Some of these letters include a 1966 ransom note for the Jules Rimet Trophy, a 2019 letter from Dennis Rodman to Donald Trump, and hate mail sent to the suffragette Emily Wilding Davidson in 1913 when she interrupted the Epsom Derby.
The anthology also includes excerpts from newspapers, journals, and secret memos, plus insights from authors, scientists, popes, and world leaders. The anthology opens a window into the victories and debates of a range of sports, including football, rugby, tennis, boxing, athletics, martial arts, swimming, surfing, and pedestrianism.
2. Writing Behind Bars: Letters From Prison
This year will also see the publication of ‘Writing Behind Bars: Letters From Prison’ , an illustrated collection of correspondence between captives and political detainees. From Paul the Apostle’s writings from a dungeon in Rome to the suffragettes’ descriptions of force-feeding torture, these prison letters document a history of the punishment and oppression associated with imprisonment.
3. The Selected Letters of Sir Winston Churchill
Of Lost Time is also currently working on a collection of Sir Winston Churchill’s letters. This collection will cover the former prime minister’s correspondence, both during his wartime leadership and beyond.
4. Christmas Cards for the Ages
In 2021, Of Lost Time curated a selection of festive cards for its ‘Christmas Cards for the Ages’ collection. The FSG Literary Unit launched this project following the resurgence of Christmas cards during the COVID-19 pandemic when the government imposed lockdowns across the UK. The collection includes a card sent to James I of England, a card that Winston Churchill sent to his mother, cards sent to First World War soldiers, and the last card that John F. Kennedy ever signed.
5. Enrico Caruso: By Himself
Of Lost Time has also published a biography of the Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso, ‘By Himself’. This biography collates an archive of Caruso’s letters, postcards, and ephemera, which Of Lost Time translated into English for the first time. The biography details the life of one of the first major celebrities of the 20th century, who sold more than a million records in the 1910s.
6. James Drake’s Other Charitable Initiatives
Drake is also the founder and chairman of the progressive medical and scientific publisher Future Science Group, which is home not only to 34 peer-reviewed journals but also to the complete collection of his philanthropic efforts. Apart from the FSG Literary Unit, these charitable initiatives include The Drake Foundation, The Drake Calleja Trust, The Drake Yolanda Award, and FSG Arts, which encompasses The Troubetzkoy Archive Project (TAP).
The Troubetzkoy Archive Project is FSG Arts’ largest project: an online central database for the renowned bronze sculptor Prince Paul Troubetzkoy (1886-1938). Drake is collaborating with the Paesaggio Museum (Verbania) to create this database, using private and public collections, including the archive developed by Troubetzkoy expert John Grioni. Other contributions include collections from the Musée d’Orsay (Paris), collections from the Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow), and small collections from Italy. The Paesaggio Museum already holds approximately 340 of Troubetzkoy’s plasters, bronzes, and marbles.
A panel of world-leading Troubetzkoy specialists oversees the collation of this database, which should become a vital resource for those studying and appreciating the sculptor’s works. Alexander Kader FSA, the co-worldwide head of European sculpture and works of art at Sotheby’s (London) chairs this panel. Other board members include Verbania’s Stefano Martinella and Federica Rabai.
About James Drake
James Drake has founded and funded several charitable ventures that drive positive change in society. From The Drake Foundation’s research into the connection between sports concussions and the later onset of neurodegenerative disease to The Drake Calleja Trust’s provision of funding for young musicians from underprivileged backgrounds, these philanthropic initiatives uncover essential research insights and offer life-changing opportunities for people across the UK.
Drake is also an avid painter: His oil painting portraits of well-known figures have seen him connect with individuals like footballer Marco van Basten and actress Dame Judy Dench.
[CM4]Suggested link: https://www.troubetzkoy.org/about/
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