John Betjeman — A Few Late Chrysanthemums

London, John Murray, 1954. First edition. Cloth. A bright first edition of this work from Poet Laureate John Betjeman. A bright first edition, in the publisher's original price unclipped dust wrapper.The poems of this work are amusingly divided into three groups - Medium, Light and Gloom - and have a broad variety of subject and mood. Sir John Betjeman was a poet, writer and broadcaster, and served as Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death. His wryly comic verse attracted a following for its satirical and observant grace, and in a 1962 radio interview he told teenage questioners that he could not write about 'abstract things', preferring places and faces. In the publisher's original cloth binding with price unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, bright, with very light fading to head and tale of spine and head of front board. Light spotting to pastedowns. Contemporary owner's initials to front free endpaper. Discolouration to dust wrapper back strip. Chipping to spine head and tail, closed tear to rear panel, light discolouration to perimeters. Chipping to head of rear wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good.