Winged Victory, Poems of a Flight Lieutenant, Ariel — 1st Edition

£45.00

Winged Victory, Poems of a Flight Lieutenant, Ariel — 1st Edition

Name: Winged Victory, Poems of a Flight Lieutenant, Ariel — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6637
Price: 45.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1942

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 32.

Condition Report: Good. The book is bound in the original plain buff card wrappers, which present with expected age-toning and light dust-soiling commensurate with its wartime publication. The extremities exhibit some noticeable chipping, edge-wear, and minor closed tears, most prominently along the delicate spine and the top edges of the wrappers, which firmly justifies the grade. Despite this exterior wear, the fragile binding remains structurally sound and intact. Internally, the pages are exceptionally clean and bright, free from any significant foxing, spotting, or handling marks, retaining a highly pleasing crispness throughout. A standard previous owner's signature to the front wrapper is the only notable marking, ultimately presenting as a highly readable, authentic example of a scarce wartime production.

Catalogue Note: This copy is a May 1942 third impression of the first edition, published just one month after the true first printing of April 1942. The work was issued under the pseudonym "Ariel," which masked the identity of Flight Lieutenant Owen Cecil Chave (1912–1943), a distinguished RAF pilot who tragically lost his life in action the year following this publication.

The collection brings together verses that originally appeared in prominent contemporary publications, including Punch, The Empire Review, and the R.A.F. Quarterly.

As a fragile wartime softcover production, surviving copies of any early impression have become increasingly uncommon on the open market, particularly those that have not succumbed to severe structural wear or loss.

Winged Victory, Poems of a Flight Lieutenant offers a poignant and immediate glimpse into the psychological and emotional landscape of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Written by Owen Cecil Chave under the pseudonym "Ariel," these verses capture the stark realities, the fleeting moments of camaraderie, and the underlying solemnity of aerial warfare. From quiet reflections on fallen comrades to the visceral experiences of flight, Chave's poetry stands as a moving testament to the bravery and resilience of a generation of aviators, made all the more resonant by the author's own ultimate sacrifice in 1943.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Ariel [Owen Cecil Chave]

Book Publisher: Basil Blackwell

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 32

Book Publication Year: 1942

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Softcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Oxford, 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.