The War Illustrated: A Complete Record of the Conflict by Land and Sea and in the Air
Sir John Hammerton (Editor)
📚 Genre
History, Military History, World War II Propaganda
🏢 Publisher
The Amalgamated Press, Ltd.
📅 Publication Year
Circa 1939-1947
🔢 ISBN
N/A (Pre-dates ISBN system)
About This Book
This is a bound volume of the British war magazine 'The War Illustrated,' which was published in weekly/fortnightly parts throughout World War II. It features a maroon cloth cover with a vertical sword and golden laurel wreath design. The content includes contemporary news reports, maps, high-quality photographs, and illustrations documenting the progression of WWII from a British perspective.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
Variable (Approximately 400-500 pages per volume)
Edition
Hardcover Bound Volume (Collected Periodical)
Series
Part of a 10-volume set (original series) or up to 255 individual parts.
Target Audience
General Audience, Military Historians, Contemporary British Citizens
Collector Information
Condition
Good to Very Good. The maroon textured cloth shows minor edge wear and light bumping to the corners. The gold gilt on the laurel wreath and the black lettering remain sharp and legible. Spine appears intact but may have light fading.
Estimated Value
$15-$35 per single volume ($200-$400 for a complete 10-volume set in excellent condition).
Rarity
Common to Uncommon. While millions were printed, many were discarded or suffered from paper rot due to wartime paper quality. Bundled hardbound volumes are easier to find than individual paper parts.
Historical Significance
Highly significant as a primary source of British home-front morale and contemporary reporting. It served as a major propaganda and information tool for the British public during the Blitz and beyond.
Collector Notes
Collectors should check for foxing (brown spotting) on the interior pages, as wartime paper was often acidic. The value is significantly higher for complete 10-volume sets. Preservation includes storing vertically in a cool, dry place to prevent the binding from bowing or the cloth from attracting moisture.
Similar Books
The Second World War by Winston Churchill; The Great War (1914-1918) by Sir John Hammerton; Life Goes to War by David E. Scherman.
Notable Features
Features thousands of contemporary photographs and 'Official' accounts from the front lines; edited by the prolific encyclopedist Sir John Hammerton.