The Air V.C.’s by Capt. W. E. Johns

The Air V.C.’s by Captain W. E. Johns was published in London by John Hamilton Ltd in 1935 and printed by the Kemp Hall Press in Oxford.

Johns, a former Royal Flying Corps pilot and the creator of Biggles, wrote The Air V.C.’s as a tribute to the airmen of the Great War who won the Victoria Cross.

After a foreword and a chapter on the Victoria Cross itself, the book tells the story of each air VC in order of the date of the Gazette.

It runs from Lieut. W. B. Rhodes-Moorhouse and Flt.-Sub-Lieut. R. A. J. Warneford in 1915, through Albert Ball, W. A. Bishop, J. B. McCudden, W. G. Barker and A. W. Beauchamp-Proctor, to Major Edward Mannock in 1919. Thirteen of the airmen are shown in portrait plates.

This copy of The Air V.C.’s is the first edition, later issue, with the 38-page List of Publications Autumn 1935 from John Hamilton bound in at the rear. The earliest issue carries a shorter catalogue.

The Air V.C.’s is a desirable early Johns title for Biggles collectors, readers of First World War aviation history, and medal and Victoria Cross enthusiasts.

The Air V.C.’s also has South African interest, as Beauchamp-Proctor was a South African ace.

Shipping: Because of its age and value, this book is packed in a sturdy box rather than a padded envelope, so it reaches you safely without bumped corners, bent boards or spine damage in transit. Shipping costs are calculated on the boxed size.

Condition – Very Good

This copy of The Air V.C.’s is in grey-blue cloth with sunned spine; gilt spine titles legible but dulled. Now protected in a clear archival cover.

Previous owner’s ink signature on the front pastedown, a red 5c price and a prior ownership stamp of a Vereeniging owner on the endpaper, with the same stamp at the head of the title page. Old prices noted in pencil.

Pages slightly toned with foxing present. Collated complete with all 13 plates; binding firm. Publisher’s 38-page Autumn 1935 catalogue at rear. No dust jacket.