The Military Orchid

London: Bodley Head, 1948. First Edition. Hard Cover. Dust Jacket. First UK Edition. Publisher's dark ochre boards with gilt lettering to the spine. Slight pushing at the spine otherwise a bright and clean near fine copy with no inscriptions. In the RARE dustwrapper priced 7s 6d net to the inside flap (as called for). The dustwrapper is in VG+ condition with just the merest hint of wear at the spine tips; there are a couple of tiny, insignificant closed tears with mild creasing and a slightly soiled back panel. Still the nicest copy of this book that I have seen and distinctly uncommon in this sort of collectable condition. Superb decorations and front cover/frontispiece art by Stephen Bone. Jocelyn Brooke’s love affair with wildflowers and home-made fireworks began when he was growing up in Kent. But there was one particular flower, especially rare and beautiful, which became an obsession. Over three decades and through two world wars, in the deserts of Libya and the woodlands of Italy, in the chalk downs of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, he searched continually for his most beloved and elusive Orchis militaris, the military orchid. Jocelyn Brooke blends memoir, botany and satire to recall this lifelong quest. "One of the most interesting and talented writers to emerge after the Second World War" Anthony Powell. Photographs/scans available upon request.