Philip Larkin was an English poet, novelist, and librarian who is generally considered to be one of the greatest British poets of the second half of the 20th century.

Raymond Laurence Brett was Professor of English at University of Hull and a friend of Philip Larkin. He served on as chairman of the library committee when Larkin applied for the position of University Librarian, beginning their long friendship.

In 'Philip Larkin: A Psycho-Literary Sketch,' first published in 'About Larkin 7, April 1999, although written in 1996, Brett discusses in park his relationship with Larkin: "When Philip Larkin was appointed as University Librarian at Hull I was the chairman of the library committee and saw him almost daily...The published letters, which are only a selection, run to 700 printed pages and reveal Larkin as one of the last great letter-writers in England in quantity as well as quality. Added to the hours he spent on his correspondence was the time he gave to his diaries (destroyed on his instructions after his death), to his essays and reviews, a selection of which were published in Required Writing, and his jazz reviews written from 1961-65 and published as All What Jazz...Larkin had a keen sense of humour and delighted in hearing or recounting an amusing anecdote. But his wit could be quite cutting in his comments on colleagues and even on those who counted themselves his friends...Larkin always generously gave me inscribed copies of his most recent publications."

A collection of 13 assorted memento mori ephemera from the collection of Raymond Brett, including photocopied and original newspaper clippings, service pamphlets, and honorary memorabilia of Philip Larkin.

Offprint of "Philip Larkin, Anti-Heroic Poet."
An Arundel Tomb: Otter Memorial Paper, Number 1.
Poetry in the Making Illustrative Material: Turret Books.
'A Lifted Study-Storehouse': Hull University Press, Philip Larkin Memorial Series No. 1. by Maeve Brennan. Signed by Brennan on first page, dated 29th July 1987.
Philip Larkin: his life and work; An Exhibition held in the Brynmor Jones Library of the University of Hull, 2 June - 12 July, 1986
Humberside, the magazine of the Hull Literary Club. Vol. XXIV No. 2
Westminster Abbey Order of Service - In Memory of Philip Arthur Larkin
Two (2) copies of Order of Service from St. Mary the Virgin, Cottingham. 9th December 1985.
Two (2) copies of Philip Larkin: A Thanksgiving. An evening of reminiscence and readings by friends and colleagues.
Photocopy of the BJL (Brynmor Jones Library) bulletin No. 15 from Spring 1986. Detailing Larkin's life and work as a university librarian.
The University College Library, 1929-1979. The Library's Fiftieth Anniversary.
Twelve (12) newspaper clippings, both obituaries and memorial articles.