First and Last Loves. [ with original Betjeman drawing and inscription ]

1st edition. 8vo, c. 8.25 x 5.75 inches, pp. xi + 1 + 244 + 1 fold-out plate, numerous illustrations in the text, top edge coloured, hardback in dustjacket. Book condition - Good plus ; contents clean, light foxing of pastedowns and endpapers, very occasional light foxing in the text, quite heavy spotting of the fore-edge and bottom edge, inner hinges intact, binding firm, the front flyleaf bears a large ink drawing of a woman's face and beneath is the insciption - ' SUNDAY October 9 1955. "I So think I'm better looking than Rita Hayworth" - Jill Elizabeth Duncan Menzies, recorded for Norman by John Betjeman' , above this is a small inscription in biro ink of "Friday 5. xij, 1952". (Although this date precedes the Betjeman inscription, it just touches and overlays the hairline of the figure, ie. it has been added after Betjeman) ; on the recto of the front flyleaf and on both pages of the half title is written, in biro and by an unknown hand, the words and music of the Irish folksong "The Croppy Boy" ; original, pale cloth with heart shaped decorations, titling in blue on the spine ; corners a little rubbed but not bent, top, front and bottom board edges darkened, back clean, spine complete with ends creased but not split, spine unmarked with complete and clear title and shows some sunning, front clean. Dustjacket - Good plus ; corners show some wear, moderate foxing showing mainly on the front and back fold-ins and on the front, back a bit dusty but no marks, spine complete but with some wear at the ends and top and bottom hinges, front again a bit dusty but with no marks, not price-clipped ( ' 20s. net ') ; dustjacket now in paper-backed, clear, removable, protective wrapper. Jill Menzies was JB's secretary from mid-1951 to mid-1953. His daughter, Candida Green, editor of 'John Betjeman. Letters. Volume 2 ' ( Methuen, 1995 ), records that "JB was more than a little in love with Jill Menzies, .". That the drawing is dated more than two years after she left JB's employment is explained by Green - " Throughout his life JB kept in touch with all his old friends. Nor did JB lose touch with 'Freckly' Jill Menzies. He would take her out to lunch and then on an architectural trip. 'Thank you for giving me such a nice time.' she [ Jill Menzies ] wrote (October 1955) " The date of the drawing and the date of the thank you letter must be more than a coincidence. Perhaps JB was recalling the events of the day for Norman (and himself ) and felt the need to commit the memory to paper ? (The use of Menzies full name is suggestive of a continuing infatuation ) Unfortunately, I have been unable to determine who is the Norman in JB's inscription. The drawing of Menzies is remarkably similar to one he included in a letter to Evelyn Waugh (see p. 76, Green, ibid). More photos and/or information gladly supplied upon request.…