The Percy Grainger Home and Studio is full of treasures—objects and items that help provide a window into the lives of Percy Grainger, his wife Ella, and his mother Rose.  Recently, in a chest in the large basement fireproof room (the room where Percy stored his files, manuscripts and scores), a small envelope was uncovered and a story emerged.

The envelope was folded in half, labeled and dated, with a small coin purse still enclosed.  Inside the purse was a one of Percy’s notes, signed and dated, and 3 coins.

This purse was used by Ella Viola Ström when she wore my army clothes at Pevensey Oct 30 1927. She left the purse in the knickers and I found them there on S. S Republic, Nov. 1, 1927.   Percy Grainger

Percy and Ella first met in 1926 on the S.S. Aorangi while traveling from Australia to Vancouver, Canada.  Later, in the fall of 1927, Percy traveled to England to spend time with Ella at her seaside cottage at Pevensey Bay on the southern coast. Photos in the collection show Ella wearing men’s clothing and Percy even bought her a pair of men’s army boots made of yellow calfskin.  It is no surprise that Ella could have mistakenly left her purse in the pants, and such a treat to find it saved together with Percy’s note identifying the “purse of darling Ella’s”. A more complete picture of this time period can be found in Ella’s and Percy’s separate accounts of their courtship, recently published in  The Grainger Journal , Volume 20, Number 1.

Percy Grainger was detailed and meticulous, making notes and providing dates and information on so many of the projects and events in his life.  He kept day books with brief entries on the accomplishments and events of his day, or even just listed what he ate at the restaurant and how much it cost.  His manuscripts often include the date and place where he worked on the composition and, if on a train, he included a little drawing of a train at the bottom. His notes are immensely helpful as we continue to organize and care for the objects, instruments, and archives in the collection of the Percy Grainger Society.