SIGNED BY JOHN BETJEMAN

BETJEMAN, John. New Bats in Old Belfries. London: John Murray, 1945. Octavo, original red cloth, original dust jacket. $750.

Signed limited first edition, one of only 60 copies signed by Betjeman on the half title.

"Among modern English poets, John Betjeman occupies a place that no literary critic has yet succeeded in defining. He is a satirist with a delicate lyrical gift—a lover of the past who delights to evoke the present—the author of exquisite comic verse whose sense of fun is perpetually trembling on the verge of seriousness (from the dust jacket). One of 60 signed copies "printed on paper kindly provided by Mrs. Richard Bentley. It was recently found among the archives of the late Mr. Richard Bentley, who retired from publishing in 1898." Peterson A13.b.

Scattered faint foxing to text, boards a bit toned; dust jacket with shallow chipping to foot of spine, one small tear to spine edge, a bit soiling, tape repair to verso. Very good condition.