THE PROBLEM OF PAIN

Second printing of the October 1940 first edition. Association copy. Publisher's original black cloth with titles in black and green on a white paper label to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips, the cloth and label bright and fresh. The contents, with the ownership signature of Leonard Blake dated 'March 1941' in blue ink on the front endpaper, and with his occasional small pencil notation to the page margins, are otherwise clean throughout. Top edge a little spotted and somewhat dusty. Complete with the very good, rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is toned to the panel edges and spine, with the signature of Leonard Blake to the upper right corner of the front panel. Not price-clipped (3s. 6d net to the lower front flap), the upper flap states 'Third Edition' although both the book and wrapper have without doubt been together since publication.

A 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.