"Phantom Major" book, with insignia

[castagain]

Hello folks, I thought I'd share an unusual SAS item with you this evening. I found this several years ago at a New York bookseller. It's a copy of Virginia Cowles' 1958 book "The Phantom Major," which everyone on this forum no doubt knows quite well. This copy was specially bound in crimson morocco leather by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, with a metal SAS beret badge inset to the front cover, a cloth SAS beret badge mounted into the front inside cover, and a broken German War Merit Cross inset to the back cover. Neatly pasted into one of the front free endpapers is the half-title page from another book ("Paras de la France Libre"), inscribed to Jack Flint by David Stirling and by another French officer. And finally, the copyright page has a small paper label with the SAS unit crest. I've never seen another one like it. I've been told by another collector that Stirling had these copies bound as gifts for friends, but I have no confirmation or provenance for that story. In any case, it's a lovely book to hold, and one with a story that would be fascinating to know. If any of the forum members can shed light on its origins, I'd appreciate it.

Best wishes, castagain

[Mike B]

Sorry I can not add anything but admiration for a fantastic book. I hope members can help you out; there are some members of the forum who really know their stuff about the S.A.S. Regards Mike

[SAS1]

Cant add much except to say that the SAS badge on yellow and white was cut from the spine of the original dust jacket.

[platypus44]

thats awesome

[HamandJam]

What is nicer the new SAS war diary@gbp 975 or this one? can't help either but a great book well done! Cheers JB