Australian Aviator, Sir Norman Brearley (with Ted Mayman) — 1st Edition

£27.50

Australian Aviator, Sir Norman Brearley (with Ted Mayman) — 1st Edition

Name: Australian Aviator, Sir Norman Brearley (with Ted Mayman) — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4957
Price: 27.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Adelaide, Rigby Limited, 1971

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 202.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original dark blue cloth binding remains remarkably tight, square, and clean, with unoxidised silver lettering to the spine and exceedingly sharp corners completely devoid of the standard bumping associated with the book's weight. The text block exhibits the typical, uniform age-toning and mild dust-dulling to the top edge consistent with the paper stock of this era, yet the internal pages remain crisp, clean, and free of any previous owner inscriptions. The original, unclipped pictorial dust jacket retains its gloss and vibrant colouring. It exhibits only marginal shelf-wear, primarily presenting as slight rubbing to the extremities and very minor creasing at the spine ends, with no significant chips, tears, or fading.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition, first printing of Sir Norman Brearley's autobiography, bound in the publisher's primary dark blue cloth. Profusely illustrated with a suite of black-and-white photographic plates and endpaper maps documenting early flight routes, the volume serves as a significant primary source for early Commonwealth aviation history.

Given the regional publication by Rigby in Adelaide and the relatively small print run for an Antipodean aviation memoir of this period, intact first editions in their original dust jackets, particularly those avoiding the severe sun-fading typical of Australian titles from the 1970s, are increasingly uncommon on the open market.

In Australian Aviator, Sir Norman Brearley delivers a thrilling, first-hand account of his life as an engineering apprentice who rose to become one of the most consequential figures in early twentieth-century aviation. After distinguishing himself in the perilous skies of the Western Front during the First World War with the Royal Flying Corps, Brearley returned home with two war-surplus biplanes and a singular vision. He would go on to found West Australian Airways, Australia's very first commercial airline, and secure the nation's inaugural airmail contract in 1921. This vivid memoir, penned with Ted Mayman, captures both the visceral danger of early open-cockpit combat and the entrepreneurial grit required to conquer the vast, unforgiving distances of the Australian outback.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Sir Norman Brearley; Ted Mayman

Book Publisher: Rigby Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Aviation & Maritime

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 202

Book Publication Year: 1971

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Hong Kong, China

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.