Although Bates went on to write two more Larkin family novels ('Oh! To be in England' and 'A Little of What You Fancy' ), the first three, published in consecutive years, were planned as a trilogy (the jacket of 'When the Green Woods Laugh' announces the novel as completing the trilogy). Altogether, a very attractive set of the first three Larkin family novels. All three volumes are unclipped and priced 12s 6d net to their front flaps. 'Green Woods' has a half-centimetre area of loss to the upper left corner of the front panel (near the fold to the spine).

4.5 cm) to the front panel, and a small (4 mm) closed tear at the end of the scratch (only visible to the verso) there is a small letter 'G' written in pencil beneath the 'A' in the 'May' of the front panel's title. The dustwrappers are notably bright and clean, showing some light rubbing to corners and extremities, and miminal toning to spines. 'When the Green Woods Laugh', with minor pushing to spine tips, a small bump to the upper outer corner of the front panel, and a previous owner's bookplate to front pastedown. 2 mm wide) across the lower page block edge. 'A Breath of French Air' is lightly pushed to the upper spine tip, with a vertical red ink line (c. 'The Darling Buds of May' shows some light wear to spine tips and lower board edges, minor offsetting and rippling to pastedowns, the page block lightly toned. A near fine set, bindings square and firm.

Original red, blue, and green cloth, respectively, in the Broom Lynne designed dustwrappers.

The darling buds of may novel