The Sea-Girt Fortress, A Story of Heligoland

The Sea-Girt Fortress, A Story of Heligoland, Westerman, Percy F. Published by Blackie & Son Limited, London, Circa 1925. Inscription dated 1935. 12mo up to 7½" tall., 296pp. with four black and white illustrated plates by W. Edward Wigfull. Tan boards with blue and black illustrations and titles to front and spine. In very good condition.

Percy Francis Westerman (1876 - 1959) was a prolific author of children's literature, many of his books are adventures with military themes. His first book for boys, 'A Lad of Grit', was published in 1908. In the same year, Baden-Powell founded the Scouting movement, which strongly influenced many of Westerman's books - he was a particularly keen supporter of the Sea Scouts. During the 1930s Westerman was voted the most popular author of stories for boys. He published at least 174 books; his books sold over one and a half million copies in his lifetime.