Biggles and the Plane That Disappeared, Captain W. E. Johns — 1st Edition

£125.00

Biggles and the Plane That Disappeared, Captain W. E. Johns — 1st Edition

Name: Biggles and the Plane That Disappeared, Captain W. E. Johns — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6102
Price: 125.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£125.00

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Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1963

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 159.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The book presents exceptionally well in the original publisher's red cloth, with the boards remaining sharp-cornered, vibrant, and completely free from discernible shelf wear. The spine lettering remains bold and unrubbed. The text block is square and tight; the page edges display a uniform, very light toning commensurate with the paper stock, yet remain crisp and free of foxing. The unclipped dust jacket (retaining the original 8s 6d net price) is similarly well-preserved, remaining bright and highly attractive with only the most trivial, microscopic wear to the extremities, now housed in a protective mylar sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a handsome first edition, first impression of Captain W. E. Johns' classic later Biggles adventure. Illustrated by Stead, who became the definitive artist for the series, the volume is a quintessential example of the post-war juvenile adventure aesthetic.

While later Biggles titles from the 1960s are not inherently rare, finding them in such sharp, near-pristine condition, complete with an unclipped, unfaded, and intact dust jacket, has become increasingly scarce on the open market. This copy stands as an excellent, collector-grade addition to any advanced library of aeronautical adventure literature.

When a private aircraft fails to return from a routine joy ride, the authorities are baffled, especially upon discovering the missing passenger had provided a false identity. Enter Air Police stalwarts Biggles, Ginger, and Bertie, who are swiftly drafted in to solve the mystery. The ensuing investigation thrusts Bertie into the spotlight as the unexpected hero, pitting his flying prowess and aristocratic wits against a ruthless gang of international racketeers.

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: 1963

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.