Knights of the Air, Lieutenant Lester J. Maitland — 1st Edition

£24.95

Knights of the Air, Lieutenant Lester J. Maitland — 1st Edition

Name: Knights of the Air, Lieutenant Lester J. Maitland — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4947
Price: 24.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Garden City, New York, Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., 1929

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xvi, 338.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original blue cloth boards remain structurally sound but present with moderate sun-fading, most notably to the spine which has toned to a darkened grey-brown, somewhat dulling the orange title lettering and aeroplane motif. The extremities exhibit light shelf-wear with minor rubbing to the corners and localised fraying at the spine ends. The binding remains firm with a relatively tight text block, though there is a hint of a forward lean. The edges display typical age-related toning, with the top edge slightly dust-soiled. Internally, the pages are generally clean and bright, free from significant foxing or extraneous markings, with the photographic frontispiece and internal plates remaining crisp. An attractive and solid survivor of this early aviation history, despite the external sunning.

Catalogue Note: First edition. An engaging and comprehensive early history of aviation published during the golden age of flight, authored by noted US Army aviation pioneer Lieutenant Lester J. Maitland. The book is introduced with a foreword by General C. P. Summerall, then Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

This first printing is thoroughly illustrated with numerous full-page photographic plates documenting the foundational era of aeronautics, from the Wright brothers to the daring global circumnavigations of the late 1920s. Unsigned and lacking the dust jacket, true first printings of this title are uncommonly found on the open market today without significant wear, making this a desirable, unsophisticated copy for the aviation historian or collector.

Written by one of America's own aviation pioneers, Knights of the Air offers a thrilling, first-hand perspective on the first twenty-five years of manned flight. From the dusty slopes of Kill Devil Hill to the daring endurance flights of the 1920s, Lieutenant Lester J. Maitland chronicles the courageous personalities and monumental technological leaps that conquered the skies. Richly illustrated with historical photographs, this gripping narrative captures the romance and danger of the early aeronautical age.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Lester J. Maitland

Book Publisher: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Aviation & Maritime

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 354

Book Publication Year: 1929

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Garden City, New York, United States

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.