The unclued lights are of a kind.
Across
1 Eruption as aerosol explodes (7)
6 Almost snap at man’s trite remarks (7)
11 Austen’s creation, American village where Jesus was seen (6)
12 Painting taken back to storehouse ruined (7)
14 Bear mark, a ritual emblem (5)
16 Delays handling pose taken by boy (4,2)
17 Sparky schoolteacher regularly told to slice cheese (6)
21 Fine character finally dropped armour plate (7)
27 In the grounds a couple reading say books issued over time (9)
29 After the event researcher cancels date for hospital (4,3)
31 Side I lead out considered perfect (9)
33 Short story about dunes that shift at the back (6)
34 Run behind man on floating platform (6)
36 In hide, at last see birds in flight (5)
37 Arab is back carrying gold and diamonds (5)
39 Intricate section of book not typed (6)
40 Not breaking wooden edges of bridge (7)
41 Step out with a German sculptor (7)
Down
1 Perhaps Chinese cargo initially said to be steaming here? (3,3)
3 Bitter vetch holds active seeds in these (4)
4 Unpopular? Regularly admit many big stores are now (3-2-4)
6 Sailors drink in such a jersey (4,4)
7 Young Jacob died, a character (6)
8 Charlie not trained to use steriliser (10)
9 Leader engages second executioner (8)
10 Bill breaks into peaceful love song (8)
18 Upsetting, a translated Greek text (10)
20 Attractive person available at first for Spectator (8)
22 They steer apple cart through ship (9)
23 Divides banana dish and drink (6,2)
24 Carte blanche to remove restrictions from announced rule (4,4)
26 War preparations give a marine bad scare (4,4)
29 Fringe benefit includes uniform and, at the head, expensive wig (6)
32 Only the last balls promptly bounce (5)
Download a printable version here.
A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on 13 April. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2745, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.
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