First edition. Original buff paper wrappers printed in black. Inscribed by Lewis to the upper wrapper "To C. J. Sisson with kind regards from C. S. Lewis." Sisson has marked out a number of paragraphs in pencil, annotating a couple of them with an approving tick in the margin. A very good copy, with a little toning to the edges and a repaired closed tear to the upper panel. Faint rust marks from a paperclip to the top margin of the upper cover and title page, with like marks to the letter which was presumably attached by Sisson thusly.
WITH: A remarkable unpublished autograph letter signed by Lewis to Sisson, dated "May 21st 42", clarifying a point about his Hamlet lecture and then setting out, with some vitality, his philosophy regarding the war.
AND: An offprint from the Modern Language Review of Sisson's 1967 obituary. Original paper wrappers. Very good.

C. J. Sisson was a leading twentieth century Shakespeare scholar who gave the British Academy's Annual Shakespeare Lecture eight years prior to Lewis, and was apt therefore to cast his (evidently approving) eye over Lewis's remarks on Hamlet.
The letter accompanying the card, written in Lewis's minute but neat hand, opens by clarifying his argument "that since they all say they enjoy the play and all give incompatible accounts of the Prince's character, the Prince's character can't really be the main source of enjoyment."
Lewis then uses the remainder of his card (paper shortages?) to share his philosophy on the war, beginning "you know, I don't find these nice individual Germans a puzzle. Aren't they a puzzle because we have allowed journalists and historians to train us into treating mere generalities (i.e. nations) as if they were the real constituents of life." Warming to his theme, he goes on to declare "I believe in real universals (like justice or the Hypotenuse) and again in individuals (you, Hess, Roosevelt, my scout, a nut, a rabbit). But all the things in between (nations, periods, schools of thought, the Renaissance, the Modern Man) are mere creatures of discourse that neither act nor suffer. To love or hate them is like trying to kiss a Noun or whip a 'climate of opinion' (How I wish one could!)".
Inscribed books by Lewis are uncommon.

Stock ID: 38765