A Tribute : Signed By The Author : With a H/W Letter From Spender Concerning The Burning Of Auden s Letters : With Both The Order Of Service And The Memorial Address By Stephen Spender For The Memorial Service For W.H. Auden

The First UK printing published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 1975. The Book is in near Fine condition. Free from inscriptions. The WRAPPER is in Very Good++ condition with light edge wear. A closed tear to the upper rear edge associated with some creasing and rubbing. A small closed tear to the lower front edge which has been repaired with a small amount of tape to the verso. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by Stephen Spender to the title page. Contributors to the book include Stephen Spender, John Betjeman, Cyril Connolly, Christopher Isherwood, Geoffrey Grigson et al. Accompanied by a loosely inserted H/W letter dated 'Nov 13 '73' addressed to a 'M Dosse' in which Spender writes : ' I think it would be absurd to destroy these letters. But then I think it was absurd of Auden to make a request to his friends in such unqualified terms. These letters are gifts to you and I do not think a donor has the right, unless in very exceptional circumstances to will you to burn his gifts. I have written to the executors saying I will keep Auden's letters and not sell them - I shall not burn them. Yours sincerely, Stephen Spender'. This letter was written (after Spender had delivered his memorial address for Auden in Oxford) in response to the request from Auden in his will that all recipients of his letters, destroy them. Auden had died six weeks earlier on the 29th September 1973. Accompanied by both the 'Order of Service ' and the 'memorial Address for W.H Auden by Stephen Spender' which took place at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford on 17th October 1973. Th 'memorial address' was privately printed for Faber by The John Roberts Press, London. The ten page Pamphlet has stiff card covers and is in near Fine condition. The 'Order of Service' is in Very Good++ condition with q little toning to the edges and a very small stain around the lower staple. Both these ephemeral items are very scarce in their own tight. An interesting collection of W.H. Auden ephemera. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.