FIRSTS ONLINE Winter 2020

2. BETJEMAN, John
First And Last Loves
London: John Murray, 1969
8vo, pp. 244. Original pink and white illustrated stiff paper wrappers.
Illustrated throughout, some by John Piper -- one a fold-out panorama of
Cheltenham.Wrappers a little marked, spine dulled, but a very good copy.
Later edition, AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY BETJEMAN ON
HALF-TITLE: ‘To D.E. Howell With best wishes from his old neighbour
+ friend John Betjeman 1969’. 1 pp. ALS FROM BETJEMAN TO
HOWELL LAID IN.
Mr. Howell had clearly sent this copy to Betjeman requesting a
signature, and preserved the letter he received in reply. Dated 27 June
1969, and sent from Betjeman’s Cloth Fair address in the City, the letter
reads:
1. AVEDON, Richard and BALDWIN, James
Nothing Personal
London: Penguin, 1964
4to, pp. 90, unpaginated. Original white boards, black on silver title label to
front panel, black on silver collaborators’ label to rear panel. White slipcase
with labels replicating the book’s boards. Photographic portraits throughout
by Richard Avedon.Scuff to foot of spine, boards just a little marked,
contents clean, a very good copy in the original slipcase, a little scuffed
and marked, and with a small bookseller’s price label, and handwritten price
revisions, to one corner.
‘Dear Mr. Howell, How very kind of you to write to me. I hope my head
won’t get turned by all these kind letters I have had. I especially value
yours + hope you are happy up there in Islington. There are two churches
-- St. Silas Pentonville + St. Saviours Aberdeen Park which are all right.
We miss you down in the City. Yours, John Betjeman’.
A lovely association copy.
£225
First UK edition, published the same year as its US counterpart.
£125
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