Lots of Love as handwritten Larkin poem up for auction

Love, which was written in December 1962, will be sold next Wednesday in the second part of the sale of The Roy Davids Collection Part III: Poetry, Poetical Manuscripts and Portraits of Poets.

It is the fruit of 40 years of collecting by the poet and scholar Roy Davids and is described by Bonhams as “the finest collection of poetry ever to come to auction”.

The sale is also a timely reminder of Hull’s literary heritage, coming days after the city formally submitted its bid to become City of Culture 2017.

Speaking when the bid was submitted on Tuesday, Jon Pywell, Hull Council’s assistant head of economic development and regeneration, said: “Our vision is for the city to be known for its unique heritage and culture and I am confident that our bid for UK City of Culture 2017 will stand up well against the other cities also vying for the title.

“By developing our cultural offer further we will boost tourism and investment, ultimately meaning more jobs in the city, with Hull becoming a world-class destination.”

Other cities and areas competing for the title include Aberdeen, Chester, Dundee, East Kent, Canterbury, Dover, Leicester, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton, and Swansea Bay.

Larkin, considered to be one of the finest poets in the English language, was the librarian at Hull University from 1955 until his death 30 years later.

A 7ft bronze statue of the enigmatic writer was unveiled on the concourse of Hull’s Paragon Station on December 2, 2010, the 25th anniversary of his death.

The Coventry-born poet, who was also a novelist and distinguished jazz critic, could often be disparaging about his adoptive city, but developed a deep affection for it and recognised its pull on others.

He first came to prominence in 1955 with the publication of his second volume of poems, The Less Deceived, which was followed by The Whitsun Weddings (1964) and High Windows (1974).

In 1984, Larkin was offered the chance to succeed his friend Sir John Betjeman as Poet Laureate but declined.