Customs of the Service (Advice to Those Newly Commissioned)
Aldershot, UK: Gale & Polden, 1939. Octavo, leatherbound navy-blue hardback, embossed lettering on front cover, blue endpapers, viii, 48 pp., side notes included on the majority of leaves. Title on front cover faded, paste-downs of front and back endpapers coming away from boards but still holding, front and back free endpapers coming away slightly from other leaves but holding, light foxing throughout; overall a good copy. First edition. A fascinating pre-war guide for newly commissioned officers on the etiquette of being an officer and a gentleman. To quote: "Good officers are made through the exercise of discipline upon themselves and those under them, courtesy, tact and, above all, experience in the handling of men. This means hard work, but the respect of men, so necessary to a successful officer, cannot be gained by social charm and good birth credentials." Item #4444
Price (AUD): $100.00