Herbert Strang — The Air Scout

London, Henry Frowde; Hodder and Stoughton, 1912. First edition. Cloth. A colourfully illustrated children's work by Herbert Strang, the pseudonym writer of 'Round the World in Seven Days', with several colour plates. Uncommon first edition. Illustrations include one colour frontispiece as well as seven colour plates and two black-and-white plates by W. R. S. Stott. This is a children's adventure novel by Herbert Strang, which follows a man named Tom Noble and his military adventures. This story was intended to direct 'the thoughts of the boys of the present day, who will be called upon to fight our battles to-morrow&apos. Contents include 'Tien Lian', 'The Air Race', 'The Chinese Armada', and 'Arming the Aeroplane&apos. Herbert Strang was the pseudonym of George Herbert Ely (1866-1958) and Charles James L'Estrange (1867-1947), who worked together to write historical adventure stories for boys. As staff members of the Oxford University Press, their work proved to be very popular once published. Their most popular book is 'Round the World in Seven Days', which was inspired by the work of Jules Verne. Ink inscription to front endpaper which reads, 'Frank Baldcock Xmas 1913 from Cousin Muriel&apos.Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Light bumping to the extremities with light wear to the head and tail of spine. Very light discolouration to spine, with a few marks on boards. Prior owner's ink inscription to front paste down, with light age-toning to endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout, with light age-toning to margins and the odd spot to the first and last few pages. Very Good . Ill.: W. R. S. Stott. Very Good .