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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 DSO DFC AFC 56,
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INTERNET ONLY SALE
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United Kingdom
Auction Concorde, Space, Military, Autographs & Memorabilia
Auction dates
25 Jul 2014 17:00 BST
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Auction currency
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GBP |
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All items are sent by either Recorded or Royal Mail Special Delivery. The UK delivery cost start from £4.99 for items up to £50 and from £6.95 for items over £50, plus any additional insurance to cover the full lot value. Overseas orders will be charged at cost. If you have special delivery instructions, do not hesitate to call us on 0800 1701314
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.
Buyers Terms & Conditions
1. Default
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2. Warranty of Title
The vendor warrants to Chaucer Covers and the buyer that he is the true owner of the property or is properly authorised to sell the property by the true owner and is able to transfer good and marketable title to the goods free from any third party claims.
The vendor warrants to Chaucer Covers and it's servants and agents and the buyer against any loss or damage suffered by either in consequence of any breach of the above on the part of the vendor
3. Bidding
The highest bidder for each lot shall be the Purchaser of it. No one is entitled to retract a bid. The Auctioneers reserve the right of refusing any bid without giving any reason and of altering, adding to, dividing, consolidating or withdrawing any lot or lots for sale.
The Auctioneers reserve the right to fix a reserve price for any lot at a figure no higher than the lower estimate.
The Auctioneers reserve the right to bid on behalf of the Seller on lots which are subject to a reserve price. The Seller shall not be entitled to bid where the Auctioneers have reserved such a right.
The Auctioneers will accept commission bids from any person who is unable to attend the sale. Bids will also be accepted by telephone, email and fax at the sender's risk.
Lots will not normally be sold at less than 80% of the bottom estimate.
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Please note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 3% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price
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All lots shall be the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer. The Purchaser shall take all lots in the condition in which he finds them. It is the responsibility of all intending Purchasers to satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the authenticity in the authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot.
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The vendor shall duly indemnify Chaucer Covers against any claim in connection with any goods sold by Chaucer Covers on the vendors behalf.
9. Payment
The Purchaser shall pay the Hammer Price together with a premium of 18% of this Price. An 18% premium will be payable by Purchasers outside the European Union (EU). Zero-rated goods such as books will be subject to a premium of 15% whether within or outside the EU unless entered by a VAT registered Seller.
Payments for lots must be made in cash, bankers draft or cheque guaranteed by the bank upon which it is drawn. Lots will not be released against cheques from Purchasers unknown to the Auctioneers until cleared by such Purchaser's bank. Payment is accepted by Visa and Mastercard. A surcharge of 2.5% plus VAT will be levied to accounts settled by credit cards. Payment is also accepted by most debit cards with no surcharge.
Overseas clients are requested to settle accounts by Bank Transfer, Visa or Mastercard (a surcharge of 2.5% plus VAT will be levied to accounts settled by this method)
10. Delivery
Lots will only be released once payment in full has been received from the Purchaser. Lots will be dispatched by Special Delivery, insured or air mail post or courier. Shipping costs will be paid by the Purchaser.
11. Jurisdiction
These Conditions shall be governed by English law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
PLEASE NOTE: Winning lots will be sent via post. Framed and higher value items will be sent by secure delivery and fully insured. If you are bidding from outside the UK please bear in mind that framed items will be expensive to post. We will charge such shipping at cost.
Mike Bannister will be hosting a viewing of his Concorde lots at the Regus Offices, On 1st Floor of the new Cobham Services on the M25 between junction 9 & 10 on 24th July between 10am & 6pm. Please call Mark to arrange calling 0845 1304094.
Buyer`s Premium 15% + VAT
Lots purchased online with the-saleroom.com will attract an additional charge for this service in the sum of 3% of the hammer price plus VAT at the rate imposed
There is a 2.5% surcharge on credit cards.
Telephone bidding will be available during the auction. Please call Mark to arrange calling 0845 1304094.
Shipping:
All items are sent by either Recorded or Royal Mail Special Delivery.
The UK delivery cost will be £3.95 for items up to £50 and £6.95 for
items over £50, plus any additional insurance to cover the full lot
value. Framed items will be charged at cost. Overseas orders will be charged at cost. If you have special
delivery instructions, do not hesitate to call us on 0845 1304094
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.