John Betjeman — First and Last Loves

London, John Murray, 1952. First edition. Cloth. A smart first edition of this illustrated collection of essays on architecture, from English writer John Betjeman. First edition. Illustrated with a folding plate and numerous in-text illustrations. Collated complete. A collection of essays on architecture, including essays on Victorian architecture, London railway stations, coastal architecture, and architecture in Cheltenham, Bournemouth, Leeds and more. Written by Sir John Betjeman, an English poet, writer, and broadcaster who was appointed Poet Laureate from 1972. A passionate defender of Victorian architecture, helping to save St. Pancras railway station from demolition. Illustrated by John Egerton Christmas Piper, an English painter, printmaker and designer of stained-glass windows and both opera and theatre sets. An official war artist in the Second World War, his wartime depictions of bomb-damaged churches and landmarks, most notably those of Coventry Cathedral, made Piper a household name. In the original full cloth binding. Externally, very smart with minor fading to the extremities. Original unclipped dust wrapper is also smart with light wear and minor chipping to the panel edges. The odd small closed tear. With spotting to the panels and fly leaves. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with the odd small spot. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: John Piper. Very Good Indeed/Very Good.