Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition

Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition

£37.50
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Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
  • Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition
Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition

Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Tom Sawyer — 1st Edition

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Publication: London, William Kimber, 1982

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 192, plus photographic plates.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The binding is tight and perfectly square, with crisp, unbumped corners and bright silver stamping to the spine. The blue boards remain exceptionally clean and free from fading. Internally, the text block is firm, and the pages are remarkably bright, crisp, and entirely free from foxing or significant toning, retaining a notably fresh feel. The original dust jacket presents beautifully, boasting vibrant, unfaded artwork with only the very slightest hint of shelf-wear to the spine tips and upper edges, remaining completely devoid of chips, tears, or creasing.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first printing of Group Captain Tom Sawyer's highly regarded Bomber Command memoir. The volume is profusely illustrated with sections of monochrome photographic plates printed on glossy paper, providing vital visual context to the wartime narrative.

The book is an uncommonly sharp example on the open market, as many surviving copies of Kimber's military memoirs from this era are heavily handled, heavily foxed, or ex-library copies.

The volume bears no previous ownership inscriptions or bookplates, presenting a wonderfully clean and unblemished interior that allows the pristine nature of the book itself to stand out.

In Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly at Night, Group Captain Tom Sawyer, DFC, delivers a compelling, firsthand account of his extensive service in Bomber Command during the Second World War. Beginning the war with over 1,000 flying hours already in his logbook, Sawyer chronicles his harrowing night operations flying Whitleys with 10 Squadron and Halifaxes with 76 Squadron, eventually becoming one of the conflict's most experienced station commanders. With a mix of wry humour, profound humility, and stark realism, he captures both the unbreakable camaraderie among the aircrews and the terrifying, high-stakes reality of aerial combat. This memoir stands as a vital and immersive tribute to the bravery and ultimate sacrifices of the bomber crews, dedicated aptly to 'Those Who Did Not Get Back.'

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Tom Sawyer

Book Publisher: William Kimber

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 192

Book Publication Year: 1982

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Letchworth, 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.

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