PRESENTATION COPY OF FIGHTING THE FLYING CIRCUS, INSCRIBED BY EDDIE RICKENBACKER

RICKENBACKER, Edward V. Fighting the Flying Circus. New York: Frederick A. Stokes, (1919). Octavo, original blue cloth rebacked with original spine laid down, mounted cover illustrations. $1400.

First edition, presentation copy, boldly inscribed on the verso of the half title: “In appreciation of your confidence—Capt. E. Rickenbacker.”

Commander of the renowned 94th Squadron during World War I (the first and most-decorated American squadron on the western front), Rickenbacker won awards including the Congressional Medal of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre with four palms (ANB). With frontispiece portrait of the author and several maps. Without scarce original dust jacket.

Slight offsetting from inscription to facing blank, faint foxing to preliminaries, light rubbing to extremities and cover illustrations, two tiny holes and small stain to rear cover illustration. An extremely good inscribed copy.