Chaz Bowyer

Air War over Europe 1939-1945

London, William Kimber, 1981. First edition. Leather. A finely bound first edition of this history of the air war in Europe during the Second World War, bound by Maltbys of Oxford. First edition. Illustrated with numerous images covering twenty-eight plates. Collated complete. A detailed historical account of the airfare during the Second World War, with chapters on the Blitzkrieg, clash of eagles, seeking and destroying, reaping the whirlwind, the dawn of victory, and more. Written by Raymond "Chaz" Bowyer, a Royal Air Force armaments and explosives instructor who wrote and edited over forty books relating to the operations, aircraft, and men of the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force, and Royal Naval Air Service. Bound by Maltbys of Oxford. Bound in half green crushed morocco with green cloth boards. Externally, excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Bound by Maltbys of Oxford. Fine . Ill.: Not Stated. Fine .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 905T89

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: Air War Europe Second World War War Not Stated

William Boyd

An Ice-Cream War

London, Hamish Hamilton, 1982. First edition. Cloth. The first edition copy of Boyd's 'darkly comic' wartime novel, which takes place during the East African Campaign of WWI, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. First Edition. In the original unclipped dust wrapper. Illustrated with one full-page illustration, showing 'German East Africa, showing route taken by German forces&apos. This is a comic war novel by Boyd, which focuses upon the East African Campaign fought between Great Britain and Germany in World War I. Characters include an American expatriate mechanic named Temple Smith, as well as the son of an aristocratic family named Felix Cobb. The title of the work was derived from the quotation in a letter from Francis Harold Burgess to his sister, where he says &apos..the war here will only last two months. It is far too hot for sustained fighting, he says, we will all melt like ice-cream in the sun!' William Boyd is a Scottish novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. He has written a range of novels, screenplays, such as 'A Good Man in Africa', 'Waiting for Sunrise', and 'Protobiography&apos. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent, with minimal bumping to the extremities and the spine. Dust wrapper is also excellent with minimal edge wear to top edge of wraps, with light spots to the top edge of the fly leaves. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Near Fine . Ill.: Not Stated. Near Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 813D12

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: An Ice Cream War An Ice-Cream War William Boyd East African Campaign An Ice-Cream War military fiction Not Stated

George Brackenbury

The Campaign in the Crimea: An Historical Sketch

London, Paul and Dominic Colnagh, 1855. First edition. Leather. The first and second series of Brackenbury and Simpson's detailed study of the Crimean war, in a smart half morocco binding and illustrated throughout with tinted lithograph plates. The scarce complete first edition of the first and second series of George Brackenbury's thorough description of specific battles, camp life, hospital conditions and churches during the Crimean War, with the second volume discussing the historical impact and the origins of the war. Illustrated with forty tinted lithograph plates, including pictorial title page, to each volume. Eighty plates in total. Collated, complete.The illustrations to this work were taken on the spot by William Simpson, and were originally designed to illustrate his 'Seat of War in the East&apos. Simpson was a Scottish artist and war correspondent. He arrived at the Crimean peninsula on the 15 November 1854, and managed to record the events before Sebastopol, frequently sending his water-colours back to London. Scarce with both volumes, the first and second series are here bound together in half morocco.A fascinating narrative account of the Crimean War, illustrated and written by those with first hand knowledge of the events discussed. In a half morocco binding, with cloth covered boards. Significant rubbing to board perimeters and joints. Small area of fraying to cloth of rear board. Front hinge starting, with board holding firm. Lithographic title page to first series loosely attached to head of leaf only, otherwise, internally firmly bound. Significant spotting throughout. Very Good . Ill.: William Simpson. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 821F16

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: crimean war william simpson crimea george brackenbury william simpson William Simpson

Frida H. Brackley

Brackles: Memoirs of a Pioneer of CIVIL Aviation

Chatham, W. & J. Mackay & Co. 1952. First edition. Cloth. A bright first edition of this affectionate biography of pioneer of civil aviation, Herbert George Brackley by his wife Frida. The first edition of this affectionate biography of Herbert G. Brackley, a pioneer of civil aviation during the first half of the twentieth century. A narrative compiled by Frida Brackley, George's wife, through fascinating letters, intimate diary entries, and the author's comments. An intimate insight into the man and his life work in aviation. With a foreword by Admiral the Lord Mountevans, introduction, and epilogue. In the price clipped dust wrapper. Illustrated with numerous full page plates and maps. Collated, complete. In the original publisher's cloth binding, with a gilt stamp to he front board. Externally very smart with only minor shelf wear and a minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine. The dust wrapper is very sound with some shelf wear and chipping, and a minor loss to the tail of the spine; internally tape repaired by a previous owner to the spine and extremities. Price-clipped. Internally, the book is firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean. Illustrated with numerous full page plates and maps. Collated, complete.  Fine . Ill.: Not Stated. Fine/Very Good.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 787A14

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: brackley first editions biography first editions Not Stated

Edward Pelham Brenton

The Naval History of Great Britain

London, C. Rice, 1823-25. First edition. Hardback. Four volumes from the scarce first edition naval history of Britain by Edward Pelham Brenton. Four of five volumes (I, II, IV, V). The first edition. Scarcely seen complete in commerce. Naval history of Great Britain from 1783 to 1822. A popular work despite it being criticised for Brenton's inability to distinguish between rumours and facts, often leading to inaccurate revelations. Edward Pelham Brenton was an officer of the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The present was his most popular work. Illustrated with frontispiece and five full page plates, of which one folding, to vol. I; frontispiece and seven full page plates, of which two folding, to vol. II; two frontispieces and four further plates, of which three folding, to vol. IV; frontispiece and four further plates, of which one folding, to vol. V. Collated, complete. List of subscribers to vol. V. Rebound in half calf over marbled boards, titles in gilt to morocco spine labels. Externally sound with some shelf wear, rubbed to spine and extremities of boards, sticker to front board vol. I. Previous ownership neat ink inscription to contents page vol. I and to first leaf of text vol. II. Internally, firmly bound. Light spotting to occasional leaf, especially leaves of plates, otherwise pages generally bright and clean. Creasing to upper outer corner pp. 444-454 vol. IV. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 853A19

Catalogue: Naval & Maritime

Keywords: edward pelham brenton naval history great britain first editions naval history Not Stated

Edward Pelham Brenton

The Naval History of Great Britain, from the Year Mdcclxxxiii to Mdcccxxxvi

London, Henry Colburn, 1837. Cloth. A smart volume on the naval history of Great Britain between 1783 and 1836, volume one only. Volume one only of a two volume set. New and greatly improved edition. Illustrated with a frontispiece and nine plates. Collated complete. A detailed historical account of the British Royal Navy between 1783 and 1836 with chapters on Spanish Armament, the West Indies, the Battle of Camperdown, designs of the French on Ireland, Bonaparte as Chief Consul, Northern Powers, Egypt, and the threat of a French invasion. Written by Captain Edward Pelham Brenton, an officer of the British Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In the original green cloth binding with gilt. Externally, smart with rubbing and minor bumping to the extremities. Minor fading to the spine and the odd small mark to the boards. Front hinge starting but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with the odd spot. Light scattered spotting to the first and last few pages. Contemporary ink inscription to the front endpaper dated 1849. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 900T67

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: Naval History Great Britain Brenton History Not Stated

F S Brereton [Frederick Sadlier Brereton]

A Gallant Grenadier: A Tale of the Crimean War

London, Blackie and Son, 1911. Cloth. A scarce children's novel about a British grenadier in the Crimean War, with illustrations and a map. A scarce work, originally published in 1901. Here with frontispiece and five further full plate illustrations from prolific illustrator Water Paget, and map of the Crimea. Collated, complete.Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Sadlier Brereton, the author of this work, was a British Army medical officer and writer of over forty children's books detailing heroic deeds conducted in the name of the British Empire. This, one of his earliest works, details the brave adventures of a heroic grenadier serving his country in the Crimean War.Featuring a sixteen page publisher's catalogue to the rear. In the publisher's original pictorial cloth binding. Fading to spine and small portion of front board. Bumping to head and tail of spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: Wal Paget. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 777F2

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: British Army Crimean War Ottoman Empire Charge of the Light Brigade Crimean War British Empire Wal Paget

R. Dallas Brett

History of British Aviation 1908-1914

London, Aviation Book Club, 1935. Cloth. A two volume study of British aviation before the First World War, illustrated with a number of photographic and illustrated plates. A two volume work providing a comprehensive study of British aviation between 1908 and 1914, giving 'a coherent story of Great Britain's part in the conquest of the air by the human race' in the years leading up to the first world war, and published in anticipation of the second.Volume I covers the years 1908-1912, and volume II 1912-1914. Each is illustrated with numerous plates containing contemporary photographs, sketches and plans of early aircraft.To the rear of volume II is a 'Roll of Honour of British Pilots killed in Fatal Accidents', and a glossary of technical terms.Featuring sections of the publisher's original dust wrapper laid down to the front and rear wraps of new dust wrappers. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with sections of the original front and rear wraps laid down on new dust wrappers. Boards clean and bright. Bumping to spine heads and tails. Fading and marks to vol I back strip. Shelf wear to head and tail of replacement dust wrapper's, with laid down sections of the original dust wrappers age toned to perimeters. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally clean and bright, with the odd spot. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good/Good.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 789F33

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: RAF aviation first world war WWI aviation Not Stated

Henri Alexis Brialmont

Histoire Du Duc de Wellington

Paris, Charles Tanera, 1856. First edition. Leather. A comprehensive collection of Brialmont's presentation of the life and exploits of the Duke of Wellington. This complete work of Henri Alexis Brialmont, in French, presents the history surrounding the Duke of Wellington. This is comprised of three volumes. These works are first editions and are presented in half calf binding with marbled boards. Throughout these three volumes, Brialmont details different aspects of the Duke of Wellington's life, including the invasion of France in 1814 in volume two, as well as his political career in volume three.With 21 folding maps. Lacking all seven illustrations and one folding map. With 20 lined pages for note taking at the rear of each volume. In volume two, 14 of these pages are filled with ink annotations. In half calf binding with marbled boards. Sound with slight rubbing, particularly to extremities, causing leather to lack in places such as the spine edge and corners. Spine lightly rubbed in places. Boards lightly faded. The occasional handling mark. Hinges slightly strained but firm. Some spotting on endpapers. Internally generally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with occasional spotting, particularly on folding maps on pages 182 and 270, volume one and pages 106, 200, 424 and 486, volume two. In volume two, 14 note pages are filled with ink annotations. Closed tears on folding maps on pages 200 and 232, volume two. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 869Q1

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: Wellington Brialmont France Brialmont Not Stated

Henri Alexis Brialmont; Emilio Bonelli Hernando (Trans)

Manual de Fortificacion de Campaãƒâ±a

Madrid, Alvarez Hermanos, 1881. Leather. An important work on military work on military fortifications, written by architect Henri Alexis Brialmont and translated into Spanish by Hernando, illustrated with several folding plates. Very scarce 1881 Spanish translation. Illustrations include over three hundred in-text and full-page illustrations, as well as six folding plates, most of which were drawn by the author. This is an informative guide to effective fortification design by influential military architect Henri Alexis Brialmont. The author details the importance of field fortification as a necessity to keep men safe from projectiles, which can injure them well before face-to-face battles even take place.Contents include 'Nociones preliminares y definiciones' (preliminary notions and definitions), 'Caracter y utilidad de la fortificacion improvisada' (Character and usefulness of improvised fortification), and 'Espaldones y abrigos para la artillería de campaña' (Shoulder and coats for field artillery).Henri Alexis Brialmont (1821-1903) was a Belgian army officer, politician, and military architect. He is best known for his fortification designs within Belgium and Romania, some of which played an important role during the German invasions of World War One. Translated into Spanish by Emilio Bonelli Hernando (1854-1926), a Spanish military officer, explorer, and colonial Africanist. Hernando was also a founding member of the Liga Africanista Espanola.With four pages of publisher's adverts loosely inserted into the rear of text.Collated, complete. Bound in a quarter-crushed morocco binding on marbled boards. Externally, generally smart. Wear along the extremities and to the spine, with wear along the bands of joints and to the head and tail of spine. Fading and marks to boards. Some loss to the marbled board to the rear board, with cardboard underneath exposed. Age-toning to the margins of endpapers.Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned, but very clean throughout. Very Good . Ill.: Henri Alexis Brialmont. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 815D20

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: Manual de Fortificacion de Campaña military fortification Henri Alexis Brialmont Emilio Bonelli Hernando military fortification Henri Alexis Brialmont

T. C. Bridges

On Land and Sea at the Dardanelles

London, Collins Clear Type Press, [1915]. First edition. Cloth. A scarce and very smart first edition copy of this charming work of fiction set during the First World War; following the hero Ken Carrington on his adventures in and around the Dardanelles. This copy is undated, dated using Copac. Featuring an attractive tipped-in bookplate awarded to a 'R. Artingstall' from 'St Andrew's Church Choir, Eccles&apos. Copiously illustrated throughout with in-text illustrations and thirteen black and white photographic plates. In the publisher's original cloth binding with coloured image tipped to the front board. Externally excellent, with minor shelfwear to extremities and slight bumping to head and tail of spine. Very slight fading to spine. Offsetting to endpapers. Prize bookplate tipped to the front pastedown. Front hinge split and tender after endpapers. Internally firmly bound. Pages age toned to extremities but bright and clean. The odd light spot to the fore edge of the very occasional page, only visible to textblock. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 636M18

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: Fiction War First Edition First World War War Scarce Bridges None

Frederic T Briffault

The Prisoner of Ham

London, T C Newby, 1846. First edition. Cloth. A scarce, first edition of this work detailing Napoleon III's attempt to seize power in 1840, and his subsequent capture and imprisonment in the fortress of Ham. A presentation copy with inscription to the recto of front pastedown, 'H A Payne the gift of Prince Napoleon Louis Bonaparte' to front pastedown. Hand is not of Napoleon III, so it is possibly a staff member that wrote the dedication. Former owner's bookplate to the front pastedown, Frank Halliday Cheetham, 'This book is one of 2000 volumes bequeathed to the Wigan Public Library by Frank Halliday Cheetham&apos. Blind stamp to the title page and library stamp to the verso of title page.  Prince Napoleon was captured as he attempted to seize power in France following his exile to London. Napoleon III was one of the last prisoners of note held at the Chateau de Ham, a castle in the Somme departement in Hauts-de-France. He was held here for six years before escaping by adopting the identity of a painter, Dadinguet. Illustrated, with a portrait frontispiece, folding plan, two lithograph plates, and four folding facsimile letters.  In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Light rubbing to the joints and extremities. Small tear to the cloth at the rear joint. Rear hinge is strained but firm. A few light marks to the boards. Donor bookplate to the recto of front endpaper. Former owner's inscriptions to the front pastedown. A few chips to the fore-edge of front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright. Scattered spots to pages. Closed tear to the folding map at the midpoint of the bottom third. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 765L2

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: Napoleon St Helena Frank Halliday Cheetham Ham St Helena None

Elbridge S Brooks

The Story of the American Sailor in Active Service on Merchant Vessel and Man-of-War

Boston, D Lothrop Company, 1888. First edition. Cloth. An uncommon first edition of this fascinating study of the duties, experiences, adventures, and 'romance' of the American Sailor, by Elbridge S Brooks. Elbridge Streeter Brooks was an American author, editor, and critic, renowned as an author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction for children, much of it on historical or patriotic subjects. Copiously illustrated throughout with numerous monochromatic in-text illustrations and plates. This work also contains a list of 'The Best Hundred Books on the American Sailor' complied by Brooks, to the rear of the text. In the publisher's original pictorial cloth binding. Externally, bumped to extremities and head and tail of spine. Marking to boards. Fading to spine. Hinges split and tender. Mark to fore edge of front free-endpaper. Internally firmly bound, slightly strained in places. Pages slightly age toned to edges but very bright and clean throughout. Mark to verso of title page, offset to facing page. Good . Ill.: Various. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 627M3

Catalogue: Naval & Maritime

Keywords: America Maritime Brooks Illustrated Maritime Uncommon Various

U. H. R. Broughton

The Dress of the First Regiment of Life Guards in Three Centuries

London, Halton & Truscott, 1925 . First edition. Leather. An excellent copy of U.H.R. Broughton's illustrated Limited Edition study of the uniform of the Life Guards. A limited edition work, number thirty-two of three hundred numbered copies of this work by Urban Huttleston Rogers Broughton, 1st Baron Fairhaven.A beautifully illustrated study of the Life Guards, the senior regiment of the British Army and part of the Household Cavalry, along with the Blues and Royals.Illustrated with forty tipped in colour plates, and a further forty monochrome plates. Collated, complete.A wonderful examination of the military dress of this senior regiment, in the publisher's original full pigskin binding. In the publisher's original pigskin binding. Minor rubbing to back strip tail and board perimeters, with light losses to leather in these regions. Otherwise, externally excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 846F60

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: 1st Regiment of Life Guards cavalry british army cavalry Not Stated

Captain Alan R. Haig-Brown

The O.T. C. And the Great War

London, Country Life, 1915. First edition. Cloth. A scarce copy of this remarkable military history of the Officer's Training Corps, covering its work in the First World War. A remarkable account of the Officers Training Corps, covering its conception and its work during the first year of the First World War and anticipating its future.Written by Alan Haig-Brown, a British Army officer and footballer. He served as commander of the Lancing Officer's Training Corps and was killed by machine-gun fire on the first day of the German spring offensive in 1918.Illustrated with ten plates, including a frontispiece piece portrait of Major Meiklejohn, V.C.A scarce copy of this work, which is a first edition. In the publisher's original full cloth binding. Externally generally smart; a little bumped to the head and tail of the spine, which is a little faded. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 798R70

Catalogue: Naval & Military History

Keywords: Captain Alan R. Haig-Brown Alan Haig-Brown Military History The Great War Alan Haig-Brown British Military History None