AERIAL WARFARE
R. P. HEARNE
JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, London, 1909
A very rare 1st edition of this important volume on pre-WW1 aviation, published in 1909. Aerial Warfare was Hearne's pioneering work on the use of aircraft and airships in modern warfare. Well illustrated throughout with numerous photographic plates, the book deals with the latest developments in aeronautics and their potential for use in war. Produced just a few years before the outbreak of the First World War, this was one of the very first works on aerial warfare to be published. The book is introduced by Sir Hiram Maxim, the prolific inventor, best known for his creation of the first portable automatic machine gun. Hearne went on to write 'Zeppelins and Super-Zeppelins' (1916), and was also a motoring journalist.
The book is signed on the front endpaper by 'Percy Saward'. In 1909 Captain Percy Sumner Saward was an officer in the Royal Garrison Artillery, described in the Army List of 1909 as 'Instructor in Gunnery (2nd Class)', serving with the South Eastern Coast Defences, North Foreland, Kent. He had been serving in that role since 1905, having originally been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Lancashire Artillery in January 1897. By November 1913 he was Adjutant to the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery. Details of Captain Saward's military service will be included with he book.
Condition:
In very good condition. The illustrated boards are in very good condition, with a few minor marks. The binding and hinges are good and secure. The text, plates, and illustrations are in very good condition. There is a 'Science Museum' bookplate and 'Withdrawn' ink stamps to the front endpapers, and a small Science Museum stamp to the bottom corner of the title page. The book is signed on the front endpaper by 'Percy Saward'.
Published: 1909
Blue illustrated boards with gilt titling
Illustrated with photographic plates
Dimensions: 160mm x 225mm
Pages: 237
