A scarce hardback Special Limited Edition of Twenty Poems from Rudyard Kipling, published by Methuen & Co. Ltd., London, and produced exclusively for The Rudyard Kipling Memorial Fund Banquet, held at Grosvenor House, London, on 17 November 1937, presided over by Major-General The Earl of Athlone.
This edition was issued shortly after Kipling’s death and was not a standard trade publication, but a commemorative hardback volume intended for attendees and supporters of the Memorial Fund.
The book is cloth-bound in original black hardback boards with gilt spine lettering and is printed on high-quality laid paper with untrimmed deckle (feathered) edges, confirming its limited-edition status. Particularly notable is the survival of the original paper protector (wrapper) to the boards, an element frequently lost and increasingly uncommon to find intact.
Provenance & Inscriptions
The front endpapers bear two period inscriptions:
🌿 A purple-ink ownership signature reading “Muriel Blakiston”
🌿 A pencil gift inscription dated 15 April 1943, reading “Muriel – from Cuthbert”
The book was purchased in Brighton, geographically close to Lancing College, and the inscriptions align convincingly with Cuthbert Harold Blakiston (1879–?), who served as Headmaster of Lancing College from 1925 to 1934.
While documentary proof is not available, the location, dates, social context, and nature of the book make it highly plausible that this was a personal wartime gift from Cuthbert Harold Blakiston to a family member named Muriel. This is presented as probable provenance, not asserted fact, in line with responsible antiquarian standards.
A further period signature, “Fred Plattison”, appears on the endpaper and is understood as an additional ownership mark.
Edition Details
🌿 Hardback cloth-bound volume
🌿 Special Limited Edition for the Kipling Memorial Fund
🌿 Grosvenor House Banquet issue, 1937
🌿 Methuen & Co. Ltd., London
🌿 Deckle-edged laid paper
🌿 Original black cloth boards with gilt spine
🌿 Original paper protector present
🌿 Posthumous commemorative publication
Condition
🌿 Hardback binding sound with light edge wear
🌿 Spine firm; gilt lettering clear
🌿 Text block tight and complete
🌿 Age toning and foxing, most visible to endpapers
🌿 Inscriptions clear and stable
🌿 Original paper protector intact, showing age-appropriate wear
Overall good antique hardback condition, with honest wear consistent with careful long-term ownership.
Our Antique Forager Ethos
We source antique and vintage pieces for their craftsmanship, character and individuality, selecting only those that stand out and carry a story worthy of passing on.
Shipping
Free UK postage.
Worldwide delivery available — rates vary by destination and weight.
Every item is carefully packed and insured.
