Lot 62
Betjeman, Sir John
Rare Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Auction: 4 September 2013 at 12:00 BST
Description
An Oxford University chest. London: John Miles, 1938. First edition, 8vo, with letter from Betjeman dated 11th December, reading: "Dear Veronica/ [possibly Dame Veronica Wedgwood] I quite agree about Elizabeth Jennings being worthy of the Queen's Medal. I have already put her forward. Your letter may influence the committee which decides on these things./ I quite agree that her poetry has gained in merit lately./ Yours ever/ John", original? quarter cloth gilt with marbled boards, a little foxing to endpapers and index pages, corners slightly rubbed; [Idem] Ghastly good taste... London: Chapman and Hall Ltd., 1933. First edition, 8vo, later postcard from Betjeman to Dame Veronica Wedgwood loosely inserted, folding plate, original half cloth with pink printed boards, some slight internal foxing, boards and spine faded and a little rubbed, label chipped; [Idem] Collected poems. London: the Reprint Society, 1961. Second edition, 8vo, signed by Betjeman on title-page, signature dated 1963, gift inscription (not in Betjeman's hand) to front free-endpaper, To Dearest honeypot, with Fondest Love, accompanied by illustration of monkey wearing mortarboard, original cream cloth, dustwrapper a little faded and bumped; [Idem] First and last loves. London: John Murray, 1952. First edition, 8vo, original cream cloth with blue heart motifs, dustwrapper not prce-clipped but slightly faded, chipped and spotted, some fading to covers and spine; [Idem] Archie and the Strict Baptists. [London:] John Murray, 1977. First edition, 4to, with loosely inserted Christmas card to Jacquelin signed, "frae Iain MacBetjeman", original yellow cloth gilt, dustwrapper not price-clipped (6, including letter)
Footnote
Provenance: From the collection of Bruce Ritchie.