Cinquante Quatre: Flying Corps Songs, Anonymous (54 Squadron RFC)

£72.99

Cinquante Quatre: Flying Corps Songs, Anonymous (54 Squadron RFC)

Name: Cinquante Quatre: Flying Corps Songs, Anonymous (54 Squadron RFC)
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4740
Price: 72.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Cinquante Quatre: Flying Corps Songs, Anonymous (54 Squadron RFC) — Second Impression

Publication: Cambridge, Bowes and Bowes, 1918

Formatting: 8vo, unpaginated.

Condition Report: Very Good. The cloth binding remains remarkably tight and structurally sound. While the light blue cloth over boards displays some minor edge wear and a gentle darkening to the spine, the gilt titling to the upper cover remains notably bright and unoxidised. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and free from any significant foxing, stains, or handling marks, suggesting the volume has been carefully stored. The presence of a clear protective sleeve has evidently aided in the preservation of this delicate wartime publication.

Catalogue Note: This is the second impression, published in April 1918, following the privately printed first impression of July 1917. As stated on the title page, the volume is complete with its seven original collotype illustrations.

Originally compiled for the men of No. 54 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, this book is genuinely scarce on the open market. These ephemeral, privately printed military songbooks were often read to pieces in the mess halls or discarded after the war, making surviving original copies in such respectable condition quite uncommon.

Compiled during the height of the First World War, Cinquante Quatre is a rare and evocative collection of songs sung by the pilots and mechanics of No. 54 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. Filled with dark humour, technical jargon, and a poignant spirit of endurance, these verses offer a visceral glimpse into the daily lives, fears, and bravado of early military aviators. An essential piece of aviation history, this volume preserves the authentic voice of the men who took to the skies in Sopwith Pups.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Anonymous (54 Squadron RFC)

Book Publisher: Bowes and Bowes

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Aviation & Maritime

Book edition: Second Impression

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1918

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Cambridge, 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.