Official Secret. The remarkable Story of Escape Aids – their Invention, Production – and the Sequel
HUTTON, [Major] Clayton
BANNED FOR EIGHT YEARS: THE ORIGINAL EDITION
Published: Max Parish, 1960
Stock code: 51841
Price: £370.00
8vo., First Edition, with portrait frontispiece and plates; black cloth, gilt back, a near fine copy.
Hutton was the brain behind many escape aids issued to servicemen, - especially those in the RAF. From silk maps to customisable uniforms, dart-shooting fountain pens to button compasses, flying-boots with multiple enclosures and water-bottles containing comprehensive escape kits. On first publication the author was charged with breach of the Official Secrets Act, only to find, on his appearance at Bow Street, that the authorities had mysteriously withdrawn their case. VERY SCARCE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS CONDITION. Enser, p.529.