The Birthplace of Aerial Power signed by Claude Grahame-White first 1919

GRAHAME-WHITE, Claude. The Birthplace of Aerial Power.
 
London: The Grahame-White Company Ltd., c.1919.
 
Large oblong 4to (310 x 250 mm). 162 pp. Profusely illustrated throughout with photographic reproductions and technical diagrams of early aircraft, including the Grahame-White aero-limousine and large passenger machines. Original publisher's printed paper boards, quarter blue cloth spine.
Photographic portrait frontispiece of Grahame-White, signed and inscribed by him in ink: "With best wishes ... To my esteemed friend ... Claude Grahame-White, 1927." (some words indistinct).
A very good copy. Some chipping and wear to spine ends, light marking to boards; internally clean and sound. Provenance: from the library of Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume (with modern note to front endpaper). 
 
A scarce work celebrating the development of British aviation, issued from the Grahame-White Company's base at Hendon Aerodrome, one of the principal centres of early powered flight in Britain. The volume documents both experimental and commercial aircraft design including ambitious multi-passenger machines and early concepts of air transport.
 
Claude Grahame-White (1879-1959), a central figure in early British aviation, gained prominence through his role in the 1910 London to Manchester race and his development of Hendon as a major aeronautical hub. Signed material from him is uncommon. The association with Arthur Ord-Hume (1932-2024), noted aviation historian and author, links this book to one of the foremost twentieth-century authorities on early flight.