John Lennon — A Spaniard in the Works

London, Jonathan Cape, 1965. First edition. Hardback. The first edition, first impression of Lennon"s second book, an exuberant collection of surreal prose, poetry and his own drawings. In the publisher"s original laminated pictorial boards with Robert Freeman"s photographic portrait of Lennon to the front board.  First edition, first impression of Lennon"s second book.  A characteristically surreal mixture of nonsense prose, poetry, linguistic jokes and Lennon"s own drawings. The collection comprises twelve prose pieces, six poems and thirty-eight drawings, several incorporating colour. Collated, complete.  The book was designed by Robert Freeman, who also supplied the front cover photograph, and sold 100,000 copies within its first three months. Among its better-known pieces are the Sherlock Holmes parody The Singularge Experience of Miss Anne Duffield and The General Erection, Lennon"s satire on the 1964 British general election.  In the publisher"s original laminated pictorial boards. Externally, very smart. Slight shelf wear to extremities with minor creasing to laminate at joints. Contemporary presentation inscription dated August 1965 to the front free endpaper: "I hope the owner of this book lasts as long as Canterbury has", signed Virginia Jackson. Previous bookseller's discreet label to rear paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: John Lennon. Very Good Indeed .