Royal Air ForceBiblio.com
ROYAL AIR FORCEBiblio.com
So Few.
177632London: The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund 1990. Signed by 25 Battle of Britain RAF fighter pilots First edition number 221 of 401 copies signed by all six members of the creative team on the mounted authentication leaf. This magnificent tribute contains 25 superb silhouette portraits of distinguished RAF pilots from Britain and the Commonwealth all signed by the sitter and the artist Michael Pierce together with his embossed stamp. Each portrait is accompanied by a biography of the subject together with photographs of memorabilia and facsimiles of letters. The prospectus details the meticulous attention to detail during production: 500 sets of sheets were printed with the best 401 chosen and the rest pulped. The editor was the noted historian of aviation Bill Gunston who compiled the biographies in collaboration with the former RAF pilot John Golley. Prince Edward contributed the preface. So Few and its 1995 successor on Bomber Command So Many raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RAF Benevolent Fund a success which led to trade issues by W. H. Smith. The first copy of each volume was presented to Queen Elizabeth II. The list of contributors names several charitable organizations and other members of the Royal Family for whom copies would likely have been reserved. Folio. With 25 coloured silhouettes on card leaves tipped-in as issued signed by the subject and artist artist's embossed stamp tissue-guards numerous photographs colour and black-and-white and facsimiles to text. Prospectus inserted in sleeve in inner box lid. Original blue crushed morocco over bevelled boards raised bands to spines within gilt rules titles to second compartments gilt front cover lettered in gilt with inset embroidered RAF brevet and gilt decoration marbled endpapers all edges gilt blue silk bookmarkers. Housed in original moiré silk-lined blue cloth solander box. A few tiny bumps to box else a fine copy. hardcover
Peter Harrington · Royaume-Uni3 000,00 £GB≈ 3 425,40 €
