BETJEMAN, John (1906-84). 3 typed letters to Michael Harrison, signed, dated variously 1946-63; and an autograph letter to Harrison from [Capt.] William E. Johns. (4)

BETJEMAN, John (1906-84). 3 typed letters to Michael Harrison, signed; the first on paper headed "The British Council," with "Blenheim Palace" typed at the top, dated "13th March 1946," stating, "Dear Mr Harrison, Indeed I remember you, and I thank you for the copy of 'Great Expectations'. The British council only represents books to libraries abroad, and that is to say its whole free distribution of books, supposing the book were presented to every library abroad, would be only about 100 copies ... The second point you make, that it should be made available to our troops abroad, is a matter for the Army Education Department ... I like the idea of the books, but do not envy you your task of having to cut down master-pieces"; the second, on paper headed "The Mead, Wantage," dated "2nd June 1952," stating, "Dear Harrison, I am most interested by your research into Poe's school days. The thing really is a revelation. But I don't know who is going to publish it ... I have just read and reviewed for next week's Telegraph your novel about the cat. I don't know whether I like it quite so much as that last novel of yours I reviewed whose title I forget, but it is miles better than modern fiction usually is", with an additional autograph note in Betjeman's hand at the end ("Hold out, [?]Fynton, God bless you") whose significance is unclear; and a third, shorter typed letter to the same recipient, in its original typed envelope; together with a one-page autograph letter from [Capt.] William E. Johns to Michael Harrison dated "Feb. 29, '56". (4)