John, Duke of Bedford

Inscribed: ‘With the author’s best wishes’ on half-title page

[142] pp.

Peter Owen

1965

8 5/8″ x 5 7/8″

Nicolas Bentley drew the pictures

Jacket design by Keith Cunningham

First published in 1965, The Duke of Bedford’s Book of Snobs was a collaboration between Hungarian-born British author George Mikes (19121987), illustrator Nicolas Bentley (19071978), and John Ian Robert Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford and Marquess of Tavistock (19172002).

Anyone who cannot make it through this witty and interesting book is truly a non-reader. John, Thirteenth Duke of Bedford, was an iconoclast who had a birds eye view of post-World War II English society. In this book, he hilariously lampoons the poseurs, climbers, and snobs who are indigenous to that world, while at the same time providing extremely useful advice on how to become a part of it. The fun begins with the divine cover illustration and does not end until the final page. Highly recommend.

Do not be too knowledgeable about art. Art is always a bit suspect and if you are seriously interested in it, keep it a secret.

–John, Duke of Bedford

*dampstaining to jacket cover*