I BURNED MY FINGERS

First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by the author to Marshal of the Royal Air Force William Sholto Douglas, 1st Baron Douglas of Kirtleside. Publisher's original red cloth with titles in gilt to the spine, in dustwrapper. Red top-stain. A near very good copy, the binding firm with a slight lean to the spine, a little fading to the spine ends, some wear and a few splash marks to the boards. The contents with a little toning to the endpapers are otherwise in very good order and clean throughout. Complete with the very good dustwrapper which has a few short tears and a little chipping to the ends of the spine panel, a 3cm tear to the head of the front flap and a few nicks and creases to the extremities. Not price-clipped (18s. net to the front flap).

Signed and inscribed by William Simpson in blue ink to the front free endpaper "Lord & Lady Douglas of Kirtleside / with every good wish / Bill / 12/11/55". The memoir of Wing Commander William Simpson O.B.E. D.F.C, recounting his experiences as an RAF pilot during the Second World War. After being shot down in France in 1940, and horribly burnt in the wreck of his aircraft, Simpson spent many months in French hospitals. Repatriated by the enemy under the assumption that he could be of no further use to his country, he underwent innumerable operations and treatments, which enabled him to subsequently return to service. The present copy was given by Simpson to Marshal of the Royal Air Force William Sholto Douglas, 1st Baron Douglas of Kirtleside (1893-1969), who played a key role in command and strategy during the Battle of Britain, and later in rebuilding the RAF's strength, bringing it on the offensive to wrest the initiative in the air from the German Luftwaffe. Notably, after the war, Sholto served as chairman of British European airways, for which Simpson also worked as Press and Information officer. A nice association copy.