Biggles Learns to Fly, Captain W.E. Johns — 1st Edition, Limited, Signed

£200.00

Biggles Learns to Fly, Captain W.E. Johns — 1st Edition, Limited, Signed

Name: Biggles Learns to Fly, Captain W.E. Johns — 1st Edition, Limited, Signed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6126
Price: 200.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Swanage, Norman Wright, 2009

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 203.

Condition Report: Fine. An exceptional, museum-quality copy presenting beautifully. The publisher's original black cloth binding remains tight, square, and entirely unrubbed, with the gilt titling to the spine perfectly brilliant and unoxidised. The hinges are robust and sound, and the text block is incredibly crisp, with the page edges remaining bright and entirely free of foxing or toning. Internally, the pages are pristine, devoid of any creases, tears, or handling marks. The accompanying dust jacket is equally Fine, boasting vibrant, unfaded colours with no nicks, tears, or shelf-wear to the extremities, preserved immaculately within an archival sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This 2009 publication by Norman Wright represents a highly desirable limited edition, restricted to just 300 hard-backed copies, of which this is hand-numbered 285. Crucially, it features the dual signatures of both the publisher, Norman Wright, and the renowned cover artist, Andrew Skilleter, boldly inscribed in black ink to the limitation page.

This specific edition is particularly significant to W.E. Johns collectors as it presents the twelve stories exactly as they originally appeared in the 1934 Modern Boy serialisation, restoring the uncorrupted text that had been heavily altered in subsequent Boys' Friend Library and Brockhampton Press editions. Furthermore, the volume is enhanced by the inclusion of the original half-tone illustrations that accompanied the first magazine printings.

Due to the strict limitation and the specialised appeal of the unexpurgated text, copies of this edition are genuinely scarce on the open market.

A thrilling return to the origins of the world's most famous fictional aviator, Biggles Learns to Fly chronicles the earliest adventures of James Bigglesworth during the tumultuous days of the Great War. From his nerve-wracking first solo flight to chaotic dogfights against deadly German 'circuses', these twelve foundational stories capture the raw tension, danger, and rapid maturation of a young pilot earning his wings amidst the clouds of the Western Front.

Book Condition: Fine

Book Authors: Captain W.E. Johns

Book Publisher: Norman Wright

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Adventure

Book edition: First Edition and Limited Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 203

Book Publication Year: 209

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardback

Illustrator: Andrew Skilleter

Book Series: Biggles

Country/region of manufacture: Chippenham, 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.