The Phoenix Cup. Some Notes on Japan in 1946.

FORSTER, E. M. - MORRIS, John.

Published by London: The Cresset Press, 1947

About this Item

First edition, first impression, the dedication copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper "for Morgan Forster. These notes, which are dedicated to him in gratitude for his friendship & encouragement. With homage and affection from John. January 1948". This was the author's second book, the first one being Traveller from Tokyo (1943) for which Forster had published a favourable review. This copy was later gifted by Forster to his friend Eric Fletcher, who had met him when he was an undergraduate at King's College between 1945 and 1948. The 68 year old Forster was, by then, firmly settled into Cambridge college life, living the life of a traditional bachelor don, ".he was looked after; he was among friends; he knew the way of life and loved the city and it's buildings. and at his age it was convenient" (Furbank), and modestly put up with his great fame, finding his enormous daily post a nuisance but enjoying a stream of visitors, many of them young men who looked on him as a mentor or sage. One of these young men was Eric Fletcher. They immediately struck up a warm friendship and embarked on a correspondence of "several hundred letters of gossip, affection and advice" (Furbank) which would continue until Forster's death. P.N. Furbank, E M Forster: A Life, vol.2, 1978, pp. 277-8. Octavo. Monochrome photographic frontispiece and 14 similar plates on 7 leaves. Original red cloth, spine and front board lettered in gilt. With dust jacket. The binding sound, light spotting to edges, internally clean. A fresh copy in very good jacket, light toning to spine panel, slight wear and darkening to extremities, unclipped.

Seller Inventory # 149809

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Phoenix Cup. Some Notes on Japan in 1946.
• Publisher: London: The Cresset Press, 1947
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)