Signed and Inscribed Christmas Card by VILLIERS, Alan (1903-82)

This Australian adventurer wrote about and photographed his sailing adventures in a series of popular books such as "Whaling in the Frozen South" (1925), "Voyage of the 'Parma': The Great Grain Race of 1932" (1933), "Cruise of the Conrad" (1937), "The Quest of the Schooner Argus" (1951), "The New Mayflower" (1958) and others. Signed and inscribed Christmas card, buff heavy stock 6¼" X 4 3/4", English Channel, "Xmas 1940." Fine. Front panel has 3 3/4" X 2 3/4" color reproduction of Frank Mason's painting "'Tis to Glory We Steer" depicting two British military ships in battle, guns ablaze. Inner right panel bears printed message "With the / Season's Greetings / and Best Wishes / for the New Year / from" and then signed boldly in black by Villiers, who adds "To Arnold F. Gates" and the date and place "English Channel, / Xmas 1940," meaning this was signed at sea. On the left panel, blank except for printed identification of the painting and the artist, he adds "It was nice of you to / remember my birthday." Villiers was commissioned an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1940, and successfully commanded convoys of landing craft in a number of major offensives; by war's end he attained the rank of commander. This charming memento was clearly signed early in his military career aboard his command in the English Channel. Villiers material of WW2 vintage is most unusual and scarce.