Lewis, Cecil ~ Sagittarius Rising

Peter Davies, London : 1936

The First UK printing published by Peter Davies, London in 1936. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. Some very light ghosting to the spine. Mild toning and spotting to the text block. Light spotting to the prelims. Free from inscriptions. The WRAPPER is in Very Good++ or better condition. First state wrapper with the price of '8/6 net' to the lower front flap. Some very slight loss to the upper spine. Mild toning to the spine. The wrapper artwork is striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. Sent to France with the Royal Flying Corps at just 17, and later a member of the famous 56 Squadron, Cecil Lewis was an illustrious and passionate fighter pilot of World War I, described by Bernard Shaw in 1935 as 'a thinker, a master of words, and a bit of a poet.' In this vivid and spirited account the author evocatively sets his love of the skies and flying against his bitter experience of the horrors of war, as we follow his progress from France and the battlefields of the Somme, to his pioneering defense of London against deadly nighttime raids. The classic account of First World War aviation. Extremely elusive as the first issue with the wrapper.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Very Good++