'Crabby' Pinter letter and first edition fetch a mere £360

A letter from playwright Harold Pinter to school pupils which exposes his "cantankerous" nature sold along with a first edition play for £360 at auction yesterday.

Mr Pinter answers 10 questions posed by pupils in form 5A about his play The Caretaker in the signed letter dated November 4, 1966.

His sarcastic responses included: "His name is assumed because he assumed it... The two brothers see little of each other because they rarely meet... When he goes out to walk, he walks... The monk swears at Davies because he doesn't like him... The shed is a shed."

Signing off to their teacher, Master Seaman, Pinter wrote: "I assure you that these answers to your questions are not intended to be funny. My best wishes to you all."

Dominic Winter auctioneers said the "crabby" tone of the letter gives a rare insight into the playwright's "cantankerous nature".

It went under the hammer in South Cerney, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, today alongside a first edition copy of The Caretaker for £360, or £434 including buyer's premium.

The play was first performed on stage at the Arts Theatre, London, on April 27, 1960. It was his sixth play and his first significant commercial success.