LETTERS TO MALCOLM CHIEFLY ON PRAYER

First edition, first printing. Association copy. Publisher's original green cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge black. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping to the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with the ownership signature of Leonard Blake dated 'Feb. 18th 1964' to the front endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the very good rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is toned to the spine and panel edges. Not price-clipped (12s 6d net to the lower front flap).

An excellent association copy. From the library of the author's friend Leonard James Blake. Blake was the husband of Maureen Moore (later Lady Dunbar of Hempriggs), one of the most significant figures in C. S. Lewis' life, a friend and surrogate sister with whom he lived for over 20 years. Maureen and Leonard Blake were married (with Lewis' encouragement) in 1940. Both teachers, Leonard was for more than two decades, the Director of Music at Malvern College (Lewis was educated at Malvern, and it is widely recognised that his time there, in particular the gas lamps and landscape, helped inspire the Chronicles of Narnia). Leonard and Maureen had two children, Lewis was godfather to their son Richard. They maintained a close friendship for the rest of Lewis' life. Leonard passed away in 1989 and Maureen in 1997, the final passages of 'The Last Battle' were read at her funeral.