WALLIS, Barnes Neville. – J.E. MORPURGO. Barnes Wallis, a Biography. London: Longman, 1972. Third impression, inscribed by Barnes Wallis, 8vo (213 x 136mm.) Photographic illustrations, loosely inserted funeral service programme, four hand-written letters, newspaper clipping. (Toning.) Original blue cloth, dust-jacket (fading, small tears to extremities). Note: the book is inscribed ‘To Doc, from Barnes Wallis’. The ‘Doc’ was Barnes Wallis’ doctor Neville Hiley. The letters are between Barnes Wallis and the doctor’s wife, Esmé Hiley. The 8-line hand-written letter by Barnes reads: ‘Dear Mrs Hiley, Thank you very much for the most enjoyable lunch that you gave us today. It was delightful to be with you both in your home. Only we missed seeing the dogs. And it was so very kind of Dr. Hiley to fetch us, and take us home. Many thanks to him too! Molly of course joins me! With kindest regards from us both, Yours very sincerely, Barnes Wallis’. There’s a simple ‘Happy Birthday’ note to Esmé signed by Wallis and Molly, and two letters from Barnes’ wife to Esmé reassuring her ‘that you mustn’t think Barnes isn’t enjoying himself because he isn’t very talkative’. The newspaper clipping is related to Barnes Wallis’ funeral and mentions the ‘bizarre example of his mathematical genius’ in predicting ten years in advance, the date of his own death. He was right within a month or so.