Cuneo cyril illus (1 Ergebnisse)

Hardcover. Zustand: Very Good. 1st Edition, Limited Edition. The sole UK printing published by Geo. Reynolds, Arts Printer, Stepney Green, London E in 1914. The BOOK is in Very Good++ condition. The original card stapled folder, with the original gold cord string marker present; The upper panel lettered in silver with the striking Cyrus Cuneo illustration 'Flying at Hendon' on white card attached to the centre. On the lower card cover another striking illustration in silver of the Hendon control tower and bi-plane; On the inside flap is a 'Toast List' dated March 20th 1914, the date of the dinner; pp 28 unpaginated; On the inside of the lower card is a full page coloured insert print 'A Passenger Flight' by Cyril Cuneo. On the rear flap are two inserts affixed, the first is the 'Menu' and on the reverse is the 'Musical Programme'. The front card has some creasing and minor rubbing to the illustration ; the first autographed page is spotted to the edges and has light markings ; the last page has some spotting ; the menu at the back of the folder has a closed tear but is complete ; there is also some closed tears to the rear insert print : Otherwise the booklet is complete. The now defunct London Aerodrome in Hendon was at the beginning of aviation in this country, where pioneers could hone their skills, train wannabe daredevils into trying to fly and set exams for people to take in order to be able to fly proficiently. This Menu & Souvenir booklet was issued to the great and good at a large function in Pall Mall at the Royal Automobile Club on 20th March 1914. Famous guests such as H.G. Wells and Ernest Shackleton were in attendance and within the booklet there was an 'Autograph' page at the front, so that the booklet owner could go autograph hunting for either famous people, politicians or as was prized, the aviators. Many of the aviators from Hendon Aerodrome would go on to fly for the Royal Flying Corp and rather than race, would be in aerial combat to the death. Of the owner of this menu, J.H. Blake, there is little known. However, he did amass 26 signatures from that evening, 11 are so far not identified, but 15 have been : 1) Claude Grahame-White : A pioneer and legend in UK aviation. He was only the 6th person to receive a certificate to be able to fly in this country and the first person ever to successfully make a journey at night, having done so during a London to Manchester race in 1910. He bought 200 acres of land and put his flying school on it, developing what was to become The London Aerodrome. 2) Louis Arbon Strange : was one of the most decorated fighter pilots in the UK having served in both wars, flying and playing a pivotal role for the RFC and for the RAF. 3) Henry Pagan Lowe : was Claude Graham-White's test pilot at Hendon and then signed up to serve with the RFC in the great war. 4) Eric Bentley Beauman : At the outbreak of the war he joined the Royal Navy Air Service, and was immediately told that he was the 'sole air defence of London'. 5) Norman Spratt : Served in both wars - for the RFC and also for the RAF. 6) Major Reginald Carr : He was one of the most decorated aviators before the Great War. 7) Thomas Williams : was a decorated flying ace in the Great War made all the more incredible due to his young age. 8) Andre Marcel DeSoutter 9) Lord Lonsdale (Hugh Cecil Lowther the 5th Earl of Lonsdale) : He was a peer and member of the House of Lords. 10) Sir Edward Hobart Seymour : Had a long and distinguished naval career. 12) Jules Nardini : Nardini was already famous, having participated in many air competitions and exhibitions at Hendon, where he was particularly noted for giving flights to young ladies! 13) Lewis Turner 14) Marcus Manton 15) J. Laurence Hall. More details of the signer providers are available on request. Only one copy has appeared at auction in the last 30 years. JSIC has no listings. An important unique historical document. More images and details are available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact. Cuneo, Cyril et al. (illustrator).…