The Less Deceived

[Second Impression]. 1955 [i.e. 1956]. Tall, slim 8vo. Pp. 43, [1, blank]. Mauve wrappers glued over yapped-edged sewn plain card covers. Priced 6/- net on front flap. 1/1,320 copies printed by Villiers Publications on Abbey Mills antique laid paper, with no subscribers' list to rear. Dedicated to [his life-long companion] Monica Jones. "First published in October 1955" stated on the copyright page, although the book was issued in August 1956.

First paperback issue, but second printing of the original hardback edition (700 copies issued in two binding lots). Bloomfield describes this as a "second impression," but goes on to say that it is actually a second edition with a new setting of type, and a correction of the misprint on p. 38. The original type had been broken up by mistake, as Larkin mentions in an unsigned sleeve note on the first issue LP recording of his reading of the poems. To add to the book's complicated bibliographic history, on the copyright page of subsequent printings, this second printing is erroneously described as the "Third Edition" and dated July 1956.

Moderately foxed to card covers and prelims., else fine.

Author's first mature collection of verse and second regularly published poetry book, preceded by the Yeatsian The North Ship (1945) and the self-published pamphlet XX Poems (1951). It reprints thirteen of the twenty poems from the latter, copies of which were mailed to literary dignitaries by the author unaware that postal rates had increased overnight, with most would-be recipients demurring when asked to cover the difference. His previous two collections attracted virtually no reviews, with the pattern repeating itself, until the 22 December issue of The Times listed it as one of the year's best books. That initiated a spate of favourable reviews and multiple reprints.

Amongst the sixteen new entries, it prints one of Larkin's major poems – Church Going – a meditation on the role of the church in a secular age, written by a self-described "Anglican agnostic". It had lain unappreciated in the Spectator's literary department for over a year – even losing the typescript – before being published (in a slightly altered form) in the month of the book's publication. The Times Literary Supplement's verdict: "[A] poet of quite exceptional importance."

[Bloomfield A6a]