PHILIP LARKIN'S HULL AND EAST YORKSHIRE

Second edition (issued ten years after the first). Inscribed presentation copy with, loosely laid in, two handwritten greetings cards designed by the author. Original stapled card wrappers, illustrated with a photograph of Larkin and his bicycle in Spring Bank Cemetery c. 1957. Lettered front and rear in green and black. A fine copy, the wraps and contents sharp and clean. Priced £5.00 to the rear panel.

Inscribed by the author in black ink to the title page, "For Eddie and Amy / love from Jean 11. 6. 05". The two loosely laid in greetings cards, both showing black and white illustrations by Jean Hartley – one of a woman in evening dress seated beside a small table with a bottle and a glass of wine, the other of a couple dancing formally. Both cards – are dated 28 May 2009 and 7 June 2010 and address issues related to the work of the Philip Larkin Society. Jean Hartley (1933-2011), along with her husband George, founded the Marvell Press in 1954. In 1955 the press published Larkin's first mature collection, 'The Less Deceived'. In 1995, Jean was made vice-chairman of the newly founded Philip Larkin Society. This copy of Hartley's memoir is from the library of the founder and chairman of the Larkin Society, Professor Edwin Dawes. Dawes (1925-2023) was Reckitt Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Hull, later serving as the University's Pro Vice Chancellor, Dean of Science, and later as Chair of the Library Committee. Dawes initially knew Philip Larkin in the latter's capacity as chief librarian at the university, but they soon became good friends. He was also an award-winning magician and historian of magic. This guide, generously illustrated with photographs and maps, is a wonderful guide to the locations and stories informing Larkin's life and poetry.