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GBP
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
Live auction
Lot closed
Lot location
Folkestone, Kent
. Men of the Battle of Britain hard backed book signed by 250 BOB pilots and aces. 80 are signed on the book pages and 170 on labels affixed throughout the book. Incredible collection of the brave pilots who save Britain from Invasion in 1941.Also inscribed by the author Ken Wynn. This is why the book is a unique one-off. The book was specifically published in 1990 to coincide with the historic 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. `Operation Homecoming` brought many of `The Few` living abroad back to Britain for the Anniversary and for various receptions-Maidstone-Bentley Priory-Biggin Hill-Buckingham Palace. It was a one-off LAST TIME `The Few` would be gathered in such numbers. Collected by Playwright, Screenwriter & Film Producer Anthony Attard, who has detailed how this amazing item came to pass. In 1990, former WWII Typhoon pilot and aviation author John Golley, introduced me to the Redgrave Theatre, Farnham, Surrey, who wanted a new play written to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain. I invited John to collaborate with me. The play was called `Freedom To Forget,` and a Gala Performance in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund was held, by totally uncanny coincidence on the 31st October 1990. The 31st October 1940 is now officially remembered as the date the Battle of Britain ended. A number of `The Few` who lived reasonably local to Farnham were able to attend the Gala Night performance. Over the course of 1990, being commissioned to write the play enabled me to meet so many of the `Few` who had always been my heroes. Also, Wing Commander N.P.W. `Pat` Hancock OBE DFC, then Secretary of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association, forwarded letters I wrote to members of the Association and is how I obtained so many on labels. For every signature I received I made a donation to the B.O.B. Fighter Association to help with the financial cost of `Operation Homecoming,` which brought so many of `The Few` living overseas to the U.K., for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. The Czech and Pole signatories to this book were obtained at a reception held at Maidstone on Saturday 22nd September 1990. All of the other actual signatories were obtained when I was a guest at the Biggin Hill Air Show that same year, or by personal visit to their homes where I was privileged to hear their enthralling memories of the Battle of Britain. Not all the signatories replied either with a letter or by putting down their Squadron number. Some just sent back the labels duly signed. After twenty-two years now recording all the signatures, most I have still been able to identify. There are four signatures, as yet, I am unable to identify. Men Of The Battle Of Britain(First Edition Gliddon Books 1989)By: KENNETH G. WYNN Inscribed by the author London May 10th 1990) Signatures Of The Few With Squadron Detail Flt Lt R.M.D. Hall DFC Pilot 152, Wg Cdr E.C. Wolfe DFC Pilot 219 & 141, Flt Lt M.H. Pocock Pilot 72, Flt Lt D.B. Ogilvie Pilot 601,Gp Capt H.M. Stephen DSO DFC (Bar) Pilot 74 (Ace with 9 confirmed victories),Wg Cdr I.H. Cosby DFC Pilot 610, 72 & 222, Sqn Ldr G.H.A. Wellum DFC Pilot 92, Wg Cdr A.D. Forster DFC Pilot 151 & 607(Ace with 6 confirmed victories), Wg Cdr J.G. Sanders DFC Pilot 615(Ace with 16 confirmed victories. Under-decorated Squadron Commander and ace because of his outspoken condemnatory comments to superiors about sending up young inexperienced pilots during the Battle most of whom were killed. His was a much sought after signature. In deference to his wife whose former husband had been killed flying with the RAF he refused to talk about his experiences and refused requests for his signature. I had the great pleasure of meeting him at his home in Wimbledon in the 1990`s after his wife had died), Wg Cdr K.W. Mackenzie DFC AFC Pilot 3 & 501, (Ace with 10 confirmed victories. POW Stalag Luft III), Sqn Ldr J.A.A. Gibson DSO DFC 501(Ace with 12 confirmed victories), Wg Cdr Michael Constable-Maxwell
Live
Venue address
Webster House
24 Jesmond Street
Folkestone, Kent
CT19 5QW
United Kingdom
Multi-location - see lot details
Autograph Auction Entertainment, Military, Sport & Aviation
Auction dates
24 Oct 2014 17:00 BST
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All autographs and first day covers will come securely packaged with an envelope stiffener in a board-backed envelope. Larger photographs and prints are sent in a tough tube, and books and oversized/framed items will be packaged with bubble wrap and sent in a box.