FIRST LIGHT

First impression with a pictorial bookplate signed by

Geoffrey Wellum 

Published by Viking. First edition, first printing, 2002.  338 pages and well-illustrated with photographs.

A Very Fine condition hardback book in burgundy covers and a Very Fine condition unclipped dustjacket.  An excellent, clean, tight copy which feels unread.  The bookplate was specially designed by Spitfire Books and signed by Geoffrey 20 years ago in April 2004.

An exceptional autobiography of life in the air in WWII. Geoffrey Wellum’s RAF commission came through in 1939 and he was posted to No 92 Squadron, aged just 17 and became one of the youngest participants in the Battle of Britain. In March 1942 he went to No 65 Squadron at Debden, and from there to Malta. Returning to England he became a Typhoon test pilot and stayed in the RAF after the war as a staff officer.

‘A work of exceptional quality….a passion and immediacy which makes it compelling reading’ ~ Max Hastings

‘Startlingly vivid recollections… this is the air war at its most intense’ ~ The Spectator

‘An extraordinarily gripping and powerful story’ ~ The Evening Standard 

The first print run of this book was very small, but the book quickly became a bestseller and there were at least 14 later impressions of the hardback before it went into paperback. 

‘First Light‘ is a true modern classic, totally compelling reading and ranks alongside Hillary’s ‘The Last Enemy‘ as a testament to ‘The Few’.  A pristine copy of the first printing together with the striking bookplate would be a great addition to any collection or a terrific gift.