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128 ROYAL AIR FORCE; WORLD WAR II. So Few. A folio dedicated to all who fought and won the Battle of Britain, 10th July – 31st October 1940; [together with] . . . So Many. A folio dedicated to all who served with RAF Bomber Command 1939–1945. London: The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, 1990–95 a monumental tribute to the raf pilots of the second world war, signed by 50 airmen First editions, deluxe signed issues, both volumes number 5 of 401 copies, each containing 25 superb colour silhouette portraits of distinguished RAF pilots from Britain and the Commonwealth, all signed by both the pilot and artist Michael Pierce, and with his embossed stamp. This set is handsomely presented in the rare mahogany display cabinet and with a fine provenance. Although unmarked as such, this set is from the library of Air Vice Marshal Freddie Hurrell (1928– 2008), one of the creative team; he is pictured and named on the original prospectus, present here with each volume. Hurrell had been Director General of RAF Medical Services from 1986 and upon retirement
in 1988, after 35 years’ service with the RAF, became Director of Appeals for the RAF Benevolent Fund. This set has never appeared on the open market. Although the cabinet is mentioned in the prospectus, relatively few appear to have been produced; we have traced just one other in auction records going through the rooms in 2011. In addition, we have not handled a copy of So Few in the half morocco solander box, as here. These superbly produced books are printed on thick paper and finely bound, each portrait accompanied by a biography of the subject, together with photographs of memorabilia and facsimiles of letters. For each volume 500 sets of sheets were printed, with the best 401 hand-chosen and the rest pulped. The editor was noted historian of aviation Bill Gunston, who compiled the biographies in collaboration with John Golley. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, contributed the prefaces. So Few and So Many raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RAF Benevolent Fund, a success which led to trade issues by W. H. Smith. The first copy of both volumes was presented to Queen Elizabeth II. The list of contributors names several charitable organisations and other members of the Royal Family for whom copies would likely have been reserved. It is additionally signed in the edition by the core members of the creative and design team, including Hurrell.
2 works, folio. Original blue crushed morocco over bevelled boards, raised bands on spines within gilt rules, second compartments lettered in gilt, front covers lettered in gilt, that of So Few with inset embroidered RAF brevet and gilt decoration, So Many with inset bronze bas relief pilot bust by James Butler RA, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, bound blue silk page-makers. So Few housed in original blue half morocco solander box; So Many in original blue cloth solander box, both moiré silk-lined. Accompanied by original glazed mahogany cabinet lined with pale blue moiré silk (570 × 710 × 108 mm). Original prospectuses included. With 50 coloured silhouettes on card leaves, tipped-in as issued, signed by the subject and artist, artist’s embossed stamp, tissue-guards, numerous photographs (colour and black-and-white) and facsimiles to the text. Slight scuff at foot of front of box for So Many . A fine set. £12,500 [157243]
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CHRISTMAS 2022
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