Pierce, Michael et al. (1990 & 1995) ‘The Battle of Britain in two volumes: …so many & …so few’, signed limited editions with matching limitation number

Michael Pierce; John Golley; Bill Gunston; Freddie Hurrell; Roy Asser; Brian Masterton (1990; 1995) ‘…so many‘ and ‘…so few‘, two commemmorative limited editions, both no. 323 of only 401 copies produced. Both volumes are introduced by the Duke of Kent. Published by The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Two breathtakingly beautiful oversize books to honour the pilots who served in the RAF saving Britain against the attack of Nazi Germany during WWII. In detail:

– “…So Many”. A Folio Dedicated to All Who Served with RAF Bomber Command 1939-45, published 1995

– “… So Few”. A Folio Dedicated to All Who Fought and Won the Battle of Britain, 10th July-31st October 1940, published 1990.

Both volumes have twenty-five profile portraits in silhouette of Battle of Britain pilots and bomber crewmen. Each silhouette signed by the subject, with photographic portraits and other illustrations, facsimile letters and documents, and a biography of each individual.

Dark blue goatskin, lettered and decorated in gilt; page block edges gilded. `So Few` with RAF embroidered Wings inset to upper cover and `So Many` with bronze bas-relief by James Butler, RA, inset to upper cover, both volumes contained in an individual silk-lined solander box, thick folios. Both volumes numbered 323 of 401 copies, signed by Michael Pierce and members of the creative team. These fine volumes, with contributions by twenty-five surviving Battle of Britain pilots and twenty-five Bomber Command crewmen, were issued to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and to recognise and celebrate the courage and heroism of the thousands of fighting men who stayed the westward advance of the Nazi menace, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice. The volumes were produced for the benefit of the RAF Benevolent Fund.

– ‘The Few’ comprise Wg Cdr P.P.C. Barthropp, DFC, AFC; Wg Cdr R.P. Beamont, CBE, DSO, DFC, DL, FRAes; Sqn Ldr G.H. Bennions, DFC; Air Vice-Marshal H.A.C. Bird-Wilson, CBE, DSO, DFC, AFC; Air Cdre P.M. Brothers, CBE, DSO, DFC; Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC, AE; Gp Capt W.D. David, CBE, DFC, AFC; Air Cdre A.C. Deere, DSO, OBE, DFC; Sqn Ldr B.H. Drobinski, DFC; Flt Lt J.H. Duart; Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris, GCB, DSO, OBE; Gp Capt T.P. Gleave, CBE; Wg Cdr N.P.W. Hancock, DFC; Sqn Ldr C. Haw, DFC, DFM; Cdr R.C. Hay, DSO, DSC, RN (Ret`d); Gp Capt C.B.F. Kingcome, DSO, DFC; Colonel Henry Gaston Lafont; Air Cdre A.R.D. MacDonell, CB, DFC; Sqn Ldr M.J. Mansfield, DSO, DFC, AFC; Wg Cdr A.G. Page, DSO, DFC; Wg Cdr P.L. Parrott, DFC, AFC, Gp Capt D.F.B. Sheen, DFC; Wg Cdr F.M. Smith, DFC; Wg Cdr J.E. Storrar, DFC, AFC, AE; Wg Cdr G.C. Unwin, DSO, DFM.

‘The Many’ comprise Wt Off G. Avery; MRAF Sir Michael Beetham, GCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, FRAeS; Wt Off G.W. `Danny` Boon, AMRAeS; Sqn Ldr L. Brandon, DSO, DFC; AM Sir Ivor Broom, KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC, AFC; Air Cdre W.J. Burnett (Canada), DSO, OBE, DFC, AFC, MiD; Sqn Ldr B.W. `Bob` Culpin, DSO, DFC; Sqn Ldr R.G. Dale (Canada), DSO, DFC; Fg Off G.F. Dove, CGM, DFM; Flt Lt D. Elliott (Canada), QC, PhD; Flt Lt L.S. Fearnley, MiD; Flt Lt R.G. Gillett, DFC; Sqn Ldr M.L. `Mac` Hamilton, DFC; Gp Capt P.W. Johnson, DSO, OBE, DFC, AFC; Flt Lt G.R. Kent, DFC, DFM; Gp Capt T.G. `Hamish` Mahaddie, DSO, DFC, AFC, CzMC, CEng, FRAeS, Gp Capt R.D. Max (NZ), DSO, DFC; Flt Lt D.M. Peden (Canada), QC, DFC; Wt Off D.J. Salt; Flt Lt L.O. Sims, DFC; Wg Cdr P.H. Swan (Australia), DSO, DFC; Sqn Ldr J.C. Turnbull (Canada), CM, DFC, BSP, Sqn Ldr J.V. Verran (NZ), DFC; Wt Off J.V. Williams.

Condition of both volumes and solander boxes is excllent with only a triffle and minimal handling signs as out image gallery shows.

We have seen many beautiful limited editions over the years, but this is by far one of the best productions we have ever seen, truely honouring the pilots risking their lives during WWII.