Stolen Journey
Ronald Searle (line drawings) ; A. Spark (maps). London: The Collector's Book Club 1950. First Edition. 412 pages. 8vo. Red leather binding with spine decorations and raised bands. Silk ribbon. Frontis is image of Philpot Top edge gilt. Edges of the endpapers are dark brown (from leather opposite). One of the Limited de Luxe Edition, published by special arrangement with Messrs Theodore Brun Limited and Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton Limited, London. Forms part of the first edition. 350 copies were printed for sale of which this example (#A 53) is one of 150 signed numbered examples. Some minor soiling to the covers, and a few blemishes to the high points of the raised bands, otherwise a bright clean example. Near Fine. Boards. [27204]
We assume this is a publisher's binding, having also seen this same red binding with some additional decorative gilt to the boards but same spine decorations. With illustrations by Ronald Searle and map endpapers by A. Spark.
"Oliver Lawrence Spurling Philpot, MC, DFC (6 March 1913 – 29 April 1993) was a Canadian-born Second World War Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot and subsequently a businessman, best known for being one of the three men to successfully escape from Stalag Luft III in the escape known as The Wooden Horse. After the war, Philpot resumed his career in management in the food industry. He wrote the book Stolen Journey, in which he recounts daily life as a prisoner in various POW camps, ending with his escape via the Wooden Horse and his return to England." (wiki)
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