An important association copy

Blunden, Edmund ~ Undertones Of War : Signed Presentation Copy From The Author Who Has Also Written Out The Poem ‘Escape’ Which Appears In The Book. Loosely Laid In Is A H/W Letter From The Author To The Same Recipient : With The Order of Service For ‘ A Service Of Praise And Thanksgiving For The Life And Work Of Edward Blunden’

Cobden-Sanderson, London : 1928

The First UK Printing published by Cobden-Sanderson, London in 1928. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with a little toning and spotting to the text-block. Light spotting to the prelims. Bookplates of bibliophile and author Simon and Judith Nowell-Smith to the front pastedown. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. Some light edge-wear and creasing at the spine ends and corners. Mild toning to the spine. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. Signed presentation copy from the author to his fellow ‘trench stove’ and friend Warwick R. Redway. They served together in WW1 and Redway is referred to twice in the book as ‘R’( pages 79 & 84). Blunden has also written out the poem ‘Escape’ to the FEP which appears on page 273 of the book. Underneath the poem, he has written ‘to his old friend and fellow trench stove, W.R. Redway’s book, March 26, 1933’. Loosely inserted is an ALS dated 1930 ( with the original H/W envelope) from Blunden to Redway, which starts ‘This is the 14th year since your delightful lapse from the path of slaughter at Givenchy….’. Additionally loosely inserted is the publisher’s flyer for this title, with reviews by J.B Priestley, R.H. Mottram, Arnold Bennett et al. With The Order of Service For ' A Service Of Praise And Thanksgiving For The Life And Work Of Edward Blunden'. The service took place on &th March 1974 At the Church of St Bride, Fleet Street, London. The 8 page booklet is in Very Good++ condition. The poet John Betjeman read a lesson and Rupert Hart-Davis gave the address. An important association copy.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Near Fine