LEWIS, C. S.
 
First edition Phaidon art books: Vermeer, Cezanne, Bellini and Raphael. Previously owned by the godson of C. S. Lewis, Laurence Harwood OBE. The books, gifted by C. S. Lewis every Christmas to his godson by way of book tokens.
 
Description
 
Laurence Harwood was the son of Lewis’ great friend, A. C. Harwood. Both father and son remained life long friends of C. S. Lewis. One of the books (on Vermeer) bearing the original book token, signed by Lewis for his godson.
The collection is referenced in Laurence Harwood’s talk at The C. S. Lewis Society of California, on October 10th, 2012. In his talk, Laurence Harwood reflects on a letter addressed by Lewis to his mother, which read, ‘I should be very foolish if I gave any advice as to books for Laurence. If I felt qualified to choose books, I should send books and not book tokens.’ Directly to which, Harwood adds, ‘I have in my possession some wonderful Phaidon art books as a consequence of him sending book tokens every Christmas to me.’
All books, excepting Vermeer with the attached and signed book token, are ownership inscribed by Harwood. The ownership inscriptions vary in the matureness of Harwood’s hand, indicative of the several year period of receiving the book token gifts.
Laurence Harwood OBE (1933-2020), regional director, National Trust, son of Cecil Harwood, and godson of C. S. Lewis, noted as 'one of the few remaining people who really knew C. S. Lewis' (Deborah Higgens, A Personal Tribute to Laurence Harwood, OBE, C. S. Lewis Foundation).