More than a critically acclaimed draughtsman and painter, F.N. Souza was also hailed as an accomplished writer and poet. In 1955, Souza's semi-autobiographical essay, 'Nirvana of a Maggot', was published in Encounter magazine. A few years later in 1959, his collection of essays and drawings, 'Words & Lines', was published by Villiers in London and won him great recognition and respect in literary circles. According to the late critic David Sylvester, Souza was a writer of "...uncommon power and precision, a truly and terribly comic writer, profoundly original, appallingly honest???qualities of a genius" (New Statesman, 25 May 1957).

The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century onwards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or waterstains. Details of damage outside this normal life-cycle of the books in this auction will be available on request.