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Captain W.E. Johns - Three First Editions, "Gimle

Currency:USD Category:Books / Antiquarian & Collectible Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:50.00 - 150.00 USD
Captain W.E. Johns - Three First Editions,  Gimle
<B>Captain W.E. Johns - Three First Editions, "Gimlet's Oriental Quest," Sergeant Bigglesworth C.I.D.," and "Biggles Combined Operation" (Various Dates).</B></I> James Bigglesworth, "Biggles" to his friends, was one of the greatest flying heroes ever produced by the British Empire. Beginning his career in April, 1932 in the premier issue of <I>Popular Flying,</B></I> ex-World War I Pilot Officer William Earle Johns created the aerial hero for his story, "The White Fokker." An instant success, Biggles went on to star in almost 100 novels, eagerly devoured by his target audience of boys and young men who couldn't get enough of tales of the air. Easily transitioning from his wartime duties to his post-war postings, Biggles has been an incredibly long-lived character, outlasting even his creator who died in 1968. The three books offered here are fine examples of the Biggles genre. "Sergeant Bigglesworth, C.I.D," (1946) Blue cloth binding is in Good condition without dustjacket. the cover displays normal wear and some color fading. The interior pages are in Very good condition, with some slight soiling/foxing at the edges. "Gimlet's Oriental Quest," (1948) (Gimlet was the Army equivalent of Biggles, nicknamed "The King of the Commandos". Biggles often appeared in Gimlet's adventures, so many fans consider the Gimlet books part of the Biggles canon.) The green cloth binding is in good condition, with minor wear to the front and back. Both covers appear to have been cracked, as fracture marks are clearly visible on the insides. There is some foxing evident on the edges, but otherwise the book is solid. "Biggles Combined Operation," (1959) The red cloth binding is in good condition, with minor wear and staining to the covers. The first interior page has been heavily marked with blue ink pen, and thick black magic marker, as well as an ink stamp of a hippopotamus and the word "personal". The list of Biggles titles opposite the title page has been marked, with many titles crossed out in brown pen. The inside back cover has been written in as well. All in all, this is an excellent starter set for anyone wishing to discover, or revisit, this great British hero of the air. 3