Kings and Queens

London: Victor Gollancz, 1932. First edition of the Farjeons' sparkling verse history of the English monarchy, illustrated by Rosalind Thornycroft. Herbert and Eleanor Farjeon were brother and sister, distinguished in their own fields: Herbert, as a playwright and theater critic; Eleanor, as a writer of popular children's books. Kings and Queens was their first collaboration: a series of poems devoted to the monarchs of England, from William the Conqueror ("William the First was the first of our kings, / Not counting Ethelreds, Egberts and things") to George V. The poems vary in form, meter, and length, but are united in their spirit and wit: "King Edward (truncated) the Fourth was harsh, / So without any qualms he / Upsided-downed / His brother and drowned / Him dead in a butt of malmsey." The book would be updated in 1939 to reflect the Duke of Windsor's abdication and the ascension of George VI to the throne, and revised again in 1953 to include Elizabeth II. A very good copy of a delightful book, scarce in jacket. Single volume, measuring 9.25 x 7 inches: [4], 5-79, [1]. Original color pictorial paper boards, original unclipped color pictorial dust jacket. Color illustrations throughout text. Pictorial bookplate of Maude Monell to front pastedown. Edgewear to jacket, with several closed tears and shallow chipping to head of spine. (Inventory #: 1004016)