COCKNEY DING DONG. Hardcover - 1975

Harmondsworth / London : Kestrel Books / EMI Music Publishing, 1975. 190 pp, 4to (11" H). Profusely illustrated in b&w and colour with Charles Keepings wonderful drawings of London and Londoners of the past. "Charles Keeping, one of Britain's finest illustrators, was brought up in Vauxhall, South London, where a Saturday-night sing song (or 'ding dong', as it was called) was part of the way of life. Over many years, including the height of the Blitz, these sing songs scarcely varied in style or content. Armed with plenty of beer and food, the family gathered in the parlour to sing and dance to their favourite songs, each member of the family being expected to sing the song that 'belonged' to him. Charles Keeping has now brought together and lovingly illustrated many of these songs. They come from a variety of sources: from Edwardian music hall, from the First World War trenches, from the American dance hall, or, quite simply, from the streets. And they take in a complete range of moods, from the sentimental 'My Old Dutch' to the favourite Cockeny dance song, 'Knees Up Mother Brown'. Musical notation, for guitar and piano, and full lyrics are given for each song. But this is a book to treasure as much as to use - Charles Keeping's delightful illustrations, whether they are portraying characters from the songs or members of the family singing, help to capture a part of Cockney life that is fast disappearing." Previous owner's small stamp on front pastedown; two faint creases on the front free endpaper; a series of tiny holes from top to bottom on pages 81 to 88 running along a soft crease - also a small area of creases at the top of these pages and an area of ink smudging on page 88 - probably caused by printing/manufacturing process; slight lean to the spine; two tiny corner bumps. Dust jacket has light edge wrinkling, very light rubbing, small area of tiny indentaions on the front panel.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good-/Very Good. Illus. by Charles Keeping..