Unique Collector's Books - Including Original Pencil Drawings

Regarded as one of the most gifted exponents of pencil work in the industry, artist Richard Taylor has hand-crafted a number of original drawings in some very special books. These are just a few of the titles now available...

11 May 2020

FIRST LIGHT

by Geoffrey Wellum

The Story of the Boy Who Became a Man in the War-Torn Skies above Britain is a 2002 memoir by Geoffrey Wellum, the famous RAF fighter pilot who flew during the Battle of Britain and throughout WWII.

This unique copy has been personally signed by the author Sqn Ldr GEOFFREY WELLUM DFC and includes an original drawing of his Spitfire.

£595 + shipping

GUY GIBSON LOGBOOK

published by After the Battle Magazine

Produced in 1976, this exact duplicate of Gibson’s log book No.2 was reproduced as faithfully as possible from the original which is held in the Public Records Office, London.

The attention to detail is noteworthy including the board covers, type of paper used and the first two pages being stuck together as in the original. On 16 May 1943 Gibson's log entry reads simply 'Led attack on Mohne and Eder Dams. Successful.' On the adjacent page he records 'Awarded V.C. 23.05.43.'

This unique copy contains an original pencil drawing of a specially modified Dambusters Lancaster releasing its ‘bouncing bomb’ and includes a luxury-embossed presentation box:

£1,595 + shipping

TONIGHT WE DIE AS MEN

by Ian Gardner & Roger Day

The untold story of Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment from Tocchoa to D-Day.

Through hours of interviews and in-depth research, the authors have created a comprehensive and vivid account of the experiences of the 3rd battalion from training through to D-Day and beyond, detailed with numerous photos and diagrams.

This special copy includes an original pencil drawing featuring C-47s and has been personally autographed by two distinguished veterans of Easy Company, the 'Band of Brothers':

- Cpl HERB SUERTH

- Sgt BUCK TAYLOR

£595 + shipping

BILLY DRAKE, FIGHTER LEADER

by Billy Drake & Christopher Shores

The Autobiography of Group Captain B. Drake DSO, DFC*, DFC (US)

Born in London of an English father and Australian mother and educated in Switzerland, Billy Drake became one of the most illustrious RAF fighter pilots of WWII. This colourful account gives tremendous insights into his exceptional career, his widely differing experiences, the characters he knew and the often amusing highlights of an RAF lifestyle.

Personally signed by the author Gp Capt BILLY DRAKE DSO DFC* DFC (US), this unique copy also includes an original drawing featuring his P-40 Kittyhawk.

£395 + shipping

WE LANDED BY MOONLIGHT

by Hugh Verity

Secret RAF landings in France 1940 – 1944

Recounting the clandestine RAF missions of flying small aircraft transporting secret agents to and from occupied France in support of the French resistance. These operations tell an extraordinary adventure story, full of danger for both agent and aviator. The author speaks with first-hand knowledge of these extraordinary and dangerous missions and personally flew many of the operations recounted in this memorable book.

This special copy includes an original pencil drawing of a Lysander taking off and has been personally autographed by the author Gp Capt HUGH VERITY along with four highly decorated Special Duties pilots:

- Capt MURRAY ANDERSON
- Lt Col FRANCIS CAMMAERTS
- Air Chf Mshl Sir LEWIS HODGES
- Wg Cdr LEN RATCLIFF

£495 + shipping

PADDY

by Patrick Barthropp

From his time teaching at the de Havilland School to fighting the Luftwaffe above the skies of Britain, Paddy takes us on a journey through his experiences during and after WWII.

This unique copy is personally signed by the author Wg Cdr PADDY BARTHROPP DFC AFC and features two original drawings including one of his beloved Spitfire.

£495 + shipping

THE WOODEN HORSE

by Eric Williams

Eric Williams retells the story of his legendary escape via a tunnel dug beneath a wooden vaulting horse at Stalag Luft III in 1942 and the journey to the port of Stettin where he stowed away aboard a Danish ship, the Norensen.

This classic escape-and-evasion story is an exciting read of one of the most ingenious POW tales of WWII which became legendary among servicemen long before publication.

Personally signed by the author Flt Lt ERIC WILLIAMS MC, this special copy includes an original pencil drawing of the wooden vaulting horse.

£395 + shipping

GÜNTHER RALL: A MEMOIR

by Jill Amadio

Günther Rall, fighter ace and NATO General, waited fifty years before authorising this first biography that chronicles almost a century of his life and coincides with some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the 20th century. Spanning across his entire life, this biography looks at Rall's childhood in a defeated country, two world wars, the Nazi regime, his distinguished service as a NATO representative, working with the US Air Force and becoming Chief of the new German Air Force - a truly vivid account of one of the greatest Fighter Aces to ever live.

Personally autographed by Generalleutnant GÜNTHER RALL, this unique copy includes the original pencil drawing of his Me109.

£595 + shipping

MOONLESS NIGHT

by B A 'Jimmy' James

TWO special copies available!

We're delighted to have two copies of this fantastic autobiography by 'Jimmy' James which delves into his many escape attempts as a POW during WWII, including the famous Great Escape.

Jimmy describes his own experiences and emotions, both in captivity and on the run, plus the achievements of his fellow prisoners.

The first copy in stock is signed by the author Sqn Ldr JIMMY JAMES MC and includes an original pencil drawing featuring Stalag Luft III.

The second special copy includes an original pencil drawing featuring a ‘Goon’ Tower from Stalag Luft III and has been autographed by the author Sqn Ldr JIMMY JAMES MC along with two further POWs:

- Wg Cdr KEN REES

- Flt Lt WALTER MORRISON

Each copy:

£595 + shipping

TIRPITZ: HITLER’S LAST BATTLESHIP

by John Asmussen & Kjetil Akra

Tirpitz, Hitler's last battleship, weighing more than 50,000 tonnes, was the biggest warship built in Europe. This informative book, predominantly written in German, includes numerous photos and specially-complied diagrams.

This unique copy boasts an original pencil drawing of the Tirpitz at sea and has been autographed by highly-regarded RAF veterans who flew with squadrons tasked with her sinking including:

- W.O. KEN JOHNSON Ld’H
- F.O. BASIL FISH
- Wg Cdr JOHN BELL MBE DFC
- Sqn Ldr TONY IVESON DFC AE
- Flt Lt MURRAY VALENTINE
- W.O. HARRY IRONS DFC
- Flt Lt PHIL TETLOW
- Sqn Ldr BENNY GOODMAN

£495 + shipping

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