Description

A rare, possibly unique, Robert Taylor Limited Edition print, released in 1989.
Please read the full description below.

This print is signed by three highly decorated pilots who flew with Douglas Bader in the legendary Tangmere Wing.
High over the south coast of England, the defiant Spitfire pilots of Douglas Bader’s Tangmere Wing fly a southerly course towards the Pas de Calais to engage Adolf Galland’s ‘Abbeville Boys’ shortly after their indomitable leader had been shot down and taken prisoner, August 1941.

Bader’s Bus Company is signed in pencil by:

• Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling KCB CBE DSO DFC AE
• Air Vice Marshal James Edgar ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, CB, CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar
• Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling, KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC & Bar, AE.

Released in 1989, 1250 signed copies were made available, however, this copy does not have a certificate, does not have a number from that series but does have the following inscription in pencil
“For Jonnie with Best Wishes Robert Taylor” and below that, neatly written is “Presentation Copy”

Our research told us that the first copies were held back for the artist to give as gifts and they were not numbered. We have not found any solid evidence to prove this was given to Jonnie Johnson but obviously what is written on the picture, different from the limited 1250, suggests it was presented to the great man himself.

The print is in overall good condition, very little discoloration, if any. We have removed it from the frame to clean the glass. There are a few marks to the surface of the print and a slight colour difference under the edge of the mount from age but it does not appear to have been hung in direct sunlight.  The pictures taken on my phone do dont do it justice, the print has good colour.

Artist: Robert Taylor

Edition: 1250 produced plus the artists presentation copies of which we believe this is!

Size: Overall, including the frame 94cm x 73cm