Fighter Aces

New York: Macmillan, 1965. First Edition. Signed and inscribed by the author, Col. Raymond Toliver, to the famous military aviator, Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker, Commanding Officer of the 94th Pursuit Squadron, U.S. Air Service known as America’s “Ace of Aces” in World War I. Inscribed: “To ‘Eddie’ Rickenbacker, with warmest regards and best wishes. Ray Toliver, Washington D.C., 2 November 1965.” Additionally signed and inscribed by the co-author, Trevor Constable, on the half-title: “To ‘Captain Eddie’ Rickenbacker, Immortal inspiration to generations yet unborn. Trevor J. Constable.” Laid in is a blank, unsigned personal bank check from the account of William F. Rickenbacker, the son of Edward V. Rickenbacker, from the Bay Bank in Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts. On the verso of the check is a typed note reading: “John C. Meyer (p. 338) went on to become commanding general of SAC. He was commander of the base at Lockbourne (Ohio) when we rededicated it and named it Rickenbacker AFB in 1974. He sat next to EVR [Edward V. Rickenbacker] in 1944, I think it was, or 1945, in Columbus, at the world premiere of the movie ‘Captain Eddie’.” The reference to John C. Meyer is to a section at the end of Fighter Aces, listing flying aces of World War II, with a special additional note indicating that he was among the few pilots who also scored victories in the Korean War. The 1945 film, Captain Eddie, told the story of Rickenbacker’s life and aviation achievements, and starred Fred MacMurray in the title role, with Charles Bickford as William Rickenbacker. Illustrated. Near fine bright copy with a hint of edge wear in a very good slightly dust soiled dust jacket with a faint dampstain to the bottom edge of the rear panel, barely affecting the cloth. Fighter Aces tells the story of the great military fliers who have gained the rank of ‘Ace’ by scoring five or more kills in air-to-air combat. Captain Eddie V. Rickenbacker is pictured on the front cover.