Two Leaves and a Bud (Signed copy)

Signed by Kelevan, a memoir of tea plantation life in Ceylon

Author

Kelavan, pseud Charles F Brooke-Smith

Publisher

Bloozoo Publishing, Colchester, 2000

Printing Details

First edition, second impression. Hardback in dustwrapper, limited to 150 copies. 30.5 × 21.5cm, 190pp.

Signed (as Kelavan) to the title page, and with two handwritten cards (as Charles) loosely inserted.

From the back of the dustwrapper, "With the final demise of The British Tea Planter in South Asia, Kelavan (Tamil for Old Man, aka Charles Brooke-Smith), having spent thirty six years on Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) tea estates, decided that his family and descendents ought to know about a way of life which has vanished for ever. He has described fascinating details of tea growing, harvesting and manufacture, as it was during the years before independence in 1948, as well as the historical background of the island's plantation industry. The tale begins with the author's arrival in 1935 when Ceylon was a Crown Colony of the British Empire. He also tells of war-time service with the Ceylon Planters Rifles and a famous Gurkha regiment."

Condition

Good plus condition. The dustwrapper has one small tear to the top corner, and light edgewear. The book has some light spotted foxing to the prelims and page edges but remains in strong readable condition.