THE LITERARY IMPACT OF THE AUTHORISED VERSION

First edition. Association copy. Publisher's original stitched white card covers, integral grey dustwrapper printed in dark red. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the covers toned and with a few small marks to the extremities. Ownership name of Leonard Blake to the upper right corner of the front cover. The contents with a few isolated foxing spots and a few small pencil markings and notes in Blake's hand to some margins. Not price-clipped (2s 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.