The First Clerihews

First edition, first printing. xxvi, 60pp, copiously illustrated with full page drawings and page decorations. Complete with bound in erratum slip. In tan cloth-covered boards with gilt titles on spine. 12mo. Cloth unevenly faded along upper edges, gently rounded at spine ends. Hint of toning to page block edges. In its original, price-clipped, dust jacket, gently rubbed at edges. Many of Clerihew Bentley’s so-called ‘Clerihews’ had been previously published but a republication in 1981, and a competition, led to the discovery of one of Clerihew Bentley’s original notebooks containing previously unpublished material, all delightfully illustrated by his friend, G K Chesterton. Most of the Clerihews were by Bentley but the notebook also contained contributions by others, all faithfully reproduced in facsimile here.