[Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate.] Printed 'Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and Work of Sir John Betjeman CBE'.]

Author: 
Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), Poet Laureate and popular broadcaster and public figure
Publication details: 
Printed by Barnard & Westwood Ltd, London. Service at Westminster Abbey, 'St Peter's Day | Friday 29 June 1984 | 11.30 a.m.'
£100.00
SKU: 22257

14 + [1]pp, 8vo. Stapled eight-leaf pamphlet. Publishers' slug on reverse of final leaf. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Scarce: no copy at the British Library, and the only copy located on OCLC WorldCat at Princeton. A pleasing memento of a grand affair, attended by a host of dignitaries, including Princess Margaret, the Prince of Wales (who read the first lesson) and Betjeman's publisher John Murray (who read the second lesson). Two of Betjeman's poems are reproduced in the service: 'Trebetherick', read by the horse-racing commentator 'John Oaksey' [Lord Oaksey] (then married to Betjeman's former secretary); and 'South London Sketch, 1844', read by much-loved actress 'Miss Prunella Scales'.