small 4to, FIRST AND ONLY EDITION OF THE AUTHOR'S SECOND BOOK OF POETRY, ONE OF 100 COPIES, ORIGINAL MAILING ENVELOPE AND INVOICE FROM THE AUTHOR, original printed wrappers, collector's chemise and folding box, light spotting to wrappers, envelope torn and soiled

Bloomfield A4

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

AN IMPORTANT ASSOCIATION COPY.

This copy includes a typed invoice dated 18 June 1953 to Graham Bury from the author (giving his address as Flat 13, 30 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast). The envelope, addressed to Graham Bury at Corpus Christi Cꦆollege, Oxford, was sent from Belfast on 20 June 1954.

Graham Bury was to play a crucial role for the future of Larkin studies; it was he who introduced Anthony Thwaite to Larkin's poetry. Writing in The Movement Reconsidered (Oxford, 2009), Thwaite notes: "As for Philip Larkin, I read, in the Spectator, such poems as 'Wires' and a few others in 1953; and an undergraduate at Corpus Christi, Graham Bury, urged me to read the novel Jill... He also told me this man Larkin had published a little pamphlet called XX Poems, which I duly ordered through Blackwell's bookshop in Oxf𒐪ord... I was very impressed..."