THE LETTERS OF C. S. LEWIS

First edition. Association copy. Publisher's original burgundy cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge blue. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with just a little rubbing to the extremities, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with the ownership name of Leonard Blake dated 'May 1966' in blue ink on the front pastedown, a couple of contemporary newspaper reviews each fixed with a single piece of tape to the front endpaper, and Blake's occasional pencilled marks and notes to the margins, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that remains without loss or tears. Not price-clipped (30s 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.