"MAY THE FLIGHT OF TIME BRING ONLY FRIENDS, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY": PRESENTATION FIRST EDITION OF FIGHTING THE FLYING CIRCUS, WONDERFULLY 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 of Captain Rickenbacker's "thrilling” account of the 94th Hat-in-the-Ring Aero Squadron, a presentation copy warmly inscribed by him on the verso of the half title: "To my Dear Friend 'Mick Harris.' May the flight of time Bring Only Friends Happiness & Prosperity, Capt. Eddie 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, maps and charts; without scarce original dust jacket.

Text and plates very fresh, inner paper hinges expertly reinforced, faint rubbing to bright mounted cover illustrations and cloth. A handsome near-fine copy.