A Fine Association Copy

Waterhouse, Keith ~ There Is A Happy Land : Inscribed By The Author To The Critic Frank Kermode : With The Order Of Service For The ‘Service Of Thanksgiving and Celebration For the Life Of Keith Waterhouse’

Michael Joseph, London : 1957

The First UK printing published by Michael Joseph in 1957. The BOOK is in VERY GOOD++ or better condition. Slight dulling of the gilt titling. Mild pushing at the corners. Offsetting to the end papers with toning and a little dustiness to the text block. The book has a slight lean. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near FINE condition. A small closed tear to lower front spine fold. Mild age related soiling to the rear cover but far less than usually encountered. Few minor nicks in places. The William Belcher wrapper design looks very attractive in the removable Brodart archival protector. The book has been Inscribed and signed by the Author. The inscription reads 'For Frank Kermode, 'Perhaps you would rephrase the question', Keith Waterhouse'. The book is accompanied by some typed notes - The notes relate to the works of Waterhouse and John Wain, Kermode's friend from his days at Reading University, and were possibly made by Kermode several years after the publication of this book, mentioning as they do both Billy Liar (1959) and Jubb (1963). The recipient, Sir John Frank Kermode FBA (29 November 1919 – 17 August 2010) was a British literary critic best known for his work 'The Sense of an Ending: Studies in the Theory of Fiction', published in 1967 (revised 2000), and for his extensive book-reviewing and editing. He was the Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College London and the King Edward VII Professor of English Literature at Cambridge University. Kermode was known for many works of criticism, and also as editor of the popular 'Fontana Modern Masters' series of introductions to modern thinkers. He was a regular contributor to the 'London Review of Books' and 'The New York Review of Books'. The author's first novel and a scarce book with such a fine association. Accompanied with the 10 page Order Of Service booklet for the 'Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration for the Life of Keith Waterhouse'. This is in near Fine condition. Loosely inserted is a 4 page booklet of newspaper reviews of the author with 2 full page B/W photos of the author. A scarce ephemeral item in its own right

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Near Fine