KING OF AIR FIGHTERS. The Biography of Major "Mick" Mannock, V.C., D.S.O., M.C.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with titles in red and in black on a red label to the spine, with a plane illustration in red to the upper board, in dustwrapper. Top edge red. With a tissue-guarded black and white portrait frontispiece of Major "Mick" Mannock, 22 tipped-in black and white photographic plates, and an errata slip tipped in at page 127. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth is a little toned with just a couple of light marks to the edges. The closed text block edge is a touch spotted to the fore-edge. The contents, with a gift inscription in black ink to the front pastedown and mild offsetting to the endpapers, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which has a large closed tear to the front panel and some wear to the spine tips (secured with tape to the underside. Not price-clipped (10s 6d. net to the lower front flap). Scarce in dustwrapper.

The definitive biography of British-Irish flying ace, Major Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock (1887-1918), written by Mannock's longtime friend, comrade and fellow flying ace Ira "Taffy" Jones. At the time of his death by ground-fire, Mannock had a total of 61 aerial victories during the First World War and was among the most decorated men in the British Armed Forces. His honours included the Military Cross (twice), the Distinguished Service Order (thrice), and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross thanks to intensive lobbying by Jones and many other former comrades.