Books

London: John Murray, 1960. A first edition, first printing published by John Murray in 1960. A very good book with a few light stains to the front board. In a very good unclipped wrapper with a small closed tear to the head of the front panel. Some small stains and light spotting to the front panel. SIGNED on the half-title page by Betjemen and dated 1981. The signature is weak and not in Betjemen's usual hand. Affixed on the facing page is a letter from Betjemen's secretary on Betjemen's official headed notepaper and addressed to a Group Captain Donaldson and reads, "Sir John asks me to thank you very much for your encouraging letter. He is much on the mend and today walked about 30 yards along the pavement. He still has to sign with his left hand not having fully regained the power in his right arm, Yours sincerely, Elizabeth Moore/Secretary to Sir John. Iron clad provenance and evidence of Sir John's recovery from the stroke he suffered. A unique copy.

This autobiographical poem covers Betjeman's early life, detailing aspects of English life and culture from a personal perspective.