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BETJEMAN**, JOHN: : JOHN BETJEMAN'S COLLECTED POEMS - ENLARGED EDITION.Compiled with an introduction by LORD BIRKENHEAD. [SIGNED by Betjeman.]

LONDON.JOHN MURRAY (PUBLISHERS) LTD.,1970.

ISBN 0719519373.

UK,12mo HB+dw/dj,SIGNED 3rd edn,1st thus. [Originally and first published,1958,then several impressions up to 8th imp (1960),a 2nd edn (with additional poems) in 1962 and again with several impressions up to the 5th imp in 1968 and then this 3rd edn (with addition of all poems published in 'High and Low') in 1970.] FINE+/NFINE.No owner inscrptn but author's handwritten, blue ink signature 'John Betjeman' and without dedication to the title page and no price-clip to the dw/dj.Bright,crisp, clean,laminated pink background with black lettering to front cover and spine/ backstrip which has ubiquitous but light sunning/fading to it,the rear panel without text; with negligible shelf-wear or creasing to edges and corners - no major nicks or tears present.Due to the book's age,the laminate to dw/dj's edges is slightly brittle with some minimal peeling and chipping and loss to both head+foot of spine/backstrip.Top edges most affected with a few minor nicks and a couple of closed tears - the largest at 1/2" - towards the top edge's rear corner. Front inner flap of dw/dj with accidental diagonal creasing/creases to it's vertical edge.Top edges coloured light green,fore- edges bright and clean - no foxing/ spotting,no thumbing or grubbing either; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,would appear unread - apart from my own collation. Bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered, publisher's original plain apple green cloth bds with bright,crisp,stamped gilt single line edged border and bright,crisp, stamped gilt letters to spine/backstrip and immaculate plain white eps.UK,12mo HB+ dw/dj,3rd edn,v-xxxpp+1-366pp [paginated] includes contents list/table, acknowledgements,an introduction from 1st edn by the Earl of Birkenhead,9 sections comprising author's verses from all his collections to date (from 'Mount Zion [1932] to 'High and Low',1966) includes some not previously published in book form along with extra additions to the 1962 2nd edn,plus [unpaginated] half-title page, author SIGNED title page,separator page and 2pp blanks at the rear of the book. John Betjeman's 'Collected Poems',when originally published,consolidated dramatically a reputation that had consistently grown.Since then he has published two more volumes of poetry, 'Summoned by Bells' - see my book ID rja1476 - a verse autobiography which remains a separate volume,and 'High and Low',a collection of lyrics,which is now included in this enlarged edition. The first publication of his collected poems was a revelation,both for the range and mastery that it showed,and for the public response to it - a response almost without precedent,because,as The Times said 'Mr Betjeman has succeeded better than most of his contemporaries in narrowing the gulf between poetry and the public.In his own province of feeling he has established a personal regency over our contemporary taste.' 'It would be difficult to point to a contemporary poet of greater originality or more genuine depth of feeling' said Punch,and The Daily Mail,'Bitter-sweet,comic elegiac,full of verbal surprises and unexpectedly lilting rhythms'.With the inclusion of 'High and Low' in this edition his collected work is now up to date. Awarded the Duff Cooper Memorial Prize and The Foyle Poetry Prize. Since April 2013,again in March 2015,and in this year too,the UK Post Office has altered it's Pricing in Proportion template,altering it's prices,weight allowances,dimensions and lowered it's qualifying compensation rates too! So,please contact seller,because of the weight/value of this item for correct, insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page!

UK,12mo HB+dw/dj, SIGNED 3rd edn.
Author SIGNED - without dedication.

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