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Plates from photographs; photographically illustrated endpapers. 21x13.5 cm (8¼x5¼"), blue cloth stamped in silver, jacket. First Edition.

Presentation copy inscribed and signed by Charles Lindbergh on the title-page, with rare and important association. The recipient is Clairmont L. Egtvedt, long associated with the Boeing Airplane Co., who rose to Chairman of the Board. The inscription reads: "To Clair Egtvedt, with best wishes from Charles A. Lindbergh, August, 1953. Publication date is Sept. 14." A rare pre-publication association copy inscribed and signed by perhaps the most famous American aviator, to the man known as the "Father of the Flying Fortress" for his key role in developing the B-17 long-range bomber, the most famous bomber of World War II. Egtvedt's importance to the American aircraft industry and to the development of American military air power, cannot be overstated.  He joined Boeing as a draftsman and mechanical engineer in 1917 after graduating from the University of Washington School of Engineering. He became company vice president and general manager in 1926 and was company president from 1933 to 1939. During most of that period he also was acting chairman of the board, appointed after William Boeing resigned in 1934. Egtvedt was officially named board chairman in 1939, as Phil Johnson became company president. But when Johnson died suddenly on Sept. 14, 1944, Egtvedt reassumed the duties of chief executive officer until William Allen was appointed president in September 1945. Egtvedt then returned to the chairmanship. Under Egtvedt's direction, the Boeing Airplane Co. began building larger and more complex airplanes including the Clipper, the Stratoliner, the Flying Fortress and the Superfortress. He was instrumental in the creation and growth of the aerospace behemoth that is the Boeing of today, and the association with Charles Lindbergh, advocate par excellence of aviation and air power, is of crucial significance.