Spitfire Parade, Capt. W.E. Johns

£180.00

Spitfire Parade, Capt. W.E. Johns

Name: Spitfire Parade, Capt. W.E. Johns
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6117
Price: 180.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1960 Formatting: 8vo, pp. 184.

Condition Report: Near Fine in a Very Good dust jacket. The original blue textured cloth boards are remarkably bright and well-preserved, with the red typographic stamping to the spine and front board remaining bold and entirely unoxidised. The binding is exceptionally tight and square, showing no lean, while the hinges are perfectly sound. The text-block edges exhibit only very faint, uniform age-toning typical of the post-war era, while internally the leaves remain wonderfully clean, crisp, and free from foxing. The unclipped dust jacket, retaining the original 8/6 NET price to the front flap, presents beautifully on the shelf. However, there are some historical tape repairs to the verso reinforcing the spine ends and fold joints, alongside minor rubbing and light creasing to the extremities.

Catalogue Note: This 1960 printing represents the first Brockhampton Press edition (a 'first thus') of Spitfire Parade, a title originally published by the Oxford University Press in 1941. It features a striking coloured frontispiece and a wraparound dust-wrapper design characteristic of Brockhampton's later Biggles reissues.

This specific edition is particularly notable among collectors, as it was one of only four original OUP titles to be later reprinted by Brockhampton Press.

Consequently, this printing had a relatively limited run before the market transitioned heavily to paperback dominance, making surviving copies in such crisp boards, and retaining original wrappers, quite scarce on the open market.

A thrilling instalment in the legendary Biggles series, Spitfire Parade sees Squadron Leader James Bigglesworth appointed to command No. 666 Fighter Squadron during the perilous days of the Second World War. Tasked with leading a ragtag group of exceptional but unruly pilots, including recruits such as Angus, Taffy, Cuthbert, and the lock-picking Bertie, Biggles must mould them into a formidable fighting unit. Across thirteen action-packed chapters, Biggles and his squadron lock horns with the Luftwaffe in desperate dogfights over the English Channel and Occupied France, showcasing the camaraderie, courage, and aerial mastery that made W.E. Johns' characters famous.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Capt. W.E. Johns

Book Publisher: Brockhampton Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Adventure

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 184

Book Publication Year: 1960

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Biggles

Country/region of manufacture: Bungay, Suffolk, 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.