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Biggles by Captain W.E. Johns
So Just Who Was Biggles? Biggles first appeared in book form in 1932 when "The
Camels Are Coming" was published by John Hamilton. His 96th,
and last, appearance, as written by Captain W E Johns, was in Biggles
Sees Too Much, published in 1970. During that time there was hardly
an inch of the earth's surface or air space that he had not covered.
Christened James Bigglesworth, he was born in
India, a son of the Assistant Commissioner of the United Provinces
of India. As a boy he suffered indifferent health, and was afflicted
by fever in India. However this did not appear to affect him too
much, as he was able to shoot well by the age of 7, and managed
adventures whereby he tackled crocodiles, bears and tigers, and
was able to swing across a collapsed bridge.
In 1912 he was sent to his father's old school, Merton Hall,
in the United Kingdom. The intention was that he would go on to
university and then return to India and sit for the Indian Civil
Service examination.
In 1917 his cousin the Hon. Algernon Lacey joined his Squadron. Biggles was not best pleased at this, describing him as "a slice of warm-up death wrapped in velvet and ribbons". However his flying abilities changed Biggles's view, and he was a flying companion for the next 50 years.
Biggles was finally captured by the foe, but luckily it was on
Armistice Day, so he was released on the same day.
At the end of the war he was described as " a slight, fair-haired, good-looking lad, still in his teens… his deep-set hazel eyes were never still and held out a glint of yellow fire that somehow seemed out of placein a pale face in whichthe strain of war, and sight of sudden death, had already graven little lines…"
Between the two world wars he formed a chartering
operation with Algy, acquiring Ginger along the way. The outbreak
of WW11 saw them back in uniform in 'Z' Squadron, and later in
666 Squadron, and after the war he joined the Special Air Police.
Bertie (Lord Bertie Lissie, a monocled, upper crust pilot of the
'huntin', shootin' and fishin' brigade) now joined the team.
After many adventures in civil aviation, he gradually began to let his younger colleagues enjoy the action, whilst he masterminded their activities. As in the old adage, he never actually retired .. just faded away.
He may have ceased to have new adventures but his
old ones are as popular as ever. First editions, with dust jackets,
of his early adventures are rare and very expensive. Also very sought-after
are the later titles from the 1960's as these had smaller print
runs than earlier titles and were not reprinted. However there are
many reprints of most of the titles, which can be picked up quite
cheaply. Here at Stella & Rose's Books we currently have over
200 hundred Biggles books in stock, comprising some 80 titles. Contributed by David Starling
View current selection of Biggles books or all W.E. Johns titles
PS: Dont forget to have a look at our Biggles information pages.
If you enjoyed this then why not look at our other articles.
A selection of W.E. Johns / Biggles books in stock
Johns, W.E.. Illustrated by Leigh, Howard & Sindall, Alfred. Stock no. 1301368
Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford. 1st. 1936. Good condition. Russet cloth with picture of biplane over Africa to front cover, spears and shield to spine. Colour frontis plus 7 full-page b/w illustrations. 256 pages. Spine and corners bumped and worn, spine split to rear edge and has been repaired with glue. Covers and contents are grubby. Some page corners are creased and a few corner tips torn off. Some foxing. A few hinges cracked. Overall a decent copy of the scarce first edition in photocopy wrapper.
Price: £180.00
Johns, W.E.. No illustrator listed. Stock no. 1301380
Dean & Son Ltd. Very good condition in a very good dustwrapper. Blue covers, black title to spine. 182 pages. Minimal bumping to spine. Old tape marks to endpapers. Pale page browning throughout else contents clean. Wrapper is very slightly edge rubbed and has a vertical crease to front edge of spine. 0603034047.
Price: £5.00
Johns, W.E.. No illustrator listed. Stock no. 1301379
Dean & Son Ltd. Very good condition in a good dustwrapper. Green boards, black title to spine. 184 pages. Spine and corners bumped. Name in black felt-tip pen to front endpaper. Pale page browning else contents clean. Book leans to one side a little. Price-cut wrapper is edge creased and chipped, with loss at edges.
Price: £4.50
Johns, W.E.. Illustrated by Nicolle, Jack. Stock no. 1101055
Geoffrey Cumberlege, Oxford University Press. 1952. Very good condition in a good dustwrapper. Green boards, black title to spine. 247 pages. B/w illustrations. Inscription in ink to front endpaper. Foxing to outer page edges. Wrapper is torn with some loss and foxing.
Price: £16.00
Johns, W.E.. Illustrated by Mendoza, . Stock no. 1101059
Oxford University Press, Geoffrey Cumberlege. 1952. Very good condition in a good dustwrapper. Green boards, black title to spine. Inscription in ink to front endpaper. Some foxing. Wrapper is torn with loss to top of spine and some tape marks.
Price: £15.00
Johns, W.E.. Illustrated by Stead, Leslie. Stock no. 1101078
Hodder & Stoughton. 1st. 1946. Very good condition in a dustwrapper in fair condition. Blue cloth with black titles. Colour frontis and 8 other illustrations. The first post-war Biggles story. Wrapper is torn with several small areas of loss.
Price: £25.00
