Biggles and the Black Mask, Captain W.E. Johns — 1st Edition

£50.00

Biggles and the Black Mask, Captain W.E. Johns — 1st Edition

Name: Biggles and the Black Mask, Captain W.E. Johns — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6118
Price: 50.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1964.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 159.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The original red cloth boards remain remarkably sharp, vivid, and square, exhibiting no significant corner bumping or discernible shelf-wear, while the black spine lettering is distinct and unrubbed. The binding is decidedly tight and the hinges are entirely sound. The text-block edges are largely bright, retaining a clean appearance save for a touch of light, scattered spotting and minor toning to the top edge. Internally, the pages are crisp, clean, and free from previous ownership inscriptions or foxing, maintaining an excellent state of preservation. The accompanying dust jacket is bright, vibrant, and entirely free from the typical spine fading, showing only superficial rubbing to the extremities and very minor edge-wear, with the front flap cleanly price-clipped at the lower corner. The wrapper is now protected in a removable, clear archival sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first impression of Captain W. E. Johns' Biggles and the Black Mask, published in 1964 by Hodder and Stoughton. The copyright page correctly states "First printed 1964" with no subsequent printings listed, confirming its first edition status. The text is wonderfully accompanied by the iconic illustrations of Leslie Stead, with the wrapper design credited to Studio Stead.

As one of the later titles in the immensely prolific Biggles series, this specific entry, number 69 in the canon, saw smaller print runs than the pre-war and early post-war volumes, rendering crisp, first edition copies increasingly scarce on the open market.

Finding a copy with the dust wrapper retaining such vivid colouration, particularly without the customary sunning to the spine, is notably uncommon for this period of the series.

When Biggles discovers that an ex-R.A.F. officer with a questionable service reputation is running a seemingly innocuous Air Charter Company making regular flights to Switzerland and the south of France, his suspicions are immediately aroused. A covert investigation by Biggles, Bertie, and Ginger soon unravels a far more sinister operation: a sprawling International Criminal Network. At the head of this dangerous syndicate is a shadowy, elusive figure known only to his operatives as "The Black Mask". As the team delves deeper into the criminal underworld, they must unmask this mysterious mastermind before his illicit enterprise spirals out of control.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Captain W.E. Johns

Book Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Adventure

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 159

Book Publication Year: 1964

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Leslie Stead

Book Series: Biggles

Country/region of manufacture: Liverpool, United Kingdom

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.