Entente Cordiale: Fifty True Stories, Mostly from Diplomatic Experience (Signed and Inscribed Association Copy)

First edition, first impression.  Signed and inscribed by Sir Eugen Millington-Drake, the translator and contributor.  The inked inscription, to Sir Norman Joseph, director of J Lyons & Co, is both lengthy and touching.  xviii, 172pp, with monochrome plate frontispiece.  Cream leatherette boards with gilt titles on spine.  Red endpapers.  8vo.  The covers are a little rubbed and soiled along the upper edge (front and rear).  Upper text block edge toned, remaining edges a little spotted.  First and last few pages toned.  Dust wrapper, not price clipped, faded around spine.  Dust jacket now in a Brodart-style sleeve which has been taped on the interior.

Sir Eugen’s lengthy inscription to Sir Norman Joseph reflects on Sir Norman role in supporting the troops of the second armoured division during the second world war – ‘no finer thing has ever been done for the Entente Cordial’. Sir Norman was director of the iconic British catering and food company, J Lyons & Co – during the second world war the British War Office and the Ministry of Food relied heavily on the company to structure and manage military catering and supply lines, ensuring the troops at the front were fed, and for logistical support.  Joseph was served in the Army Catering Corp and was the official catering liaison between General Dwight Eisenhower and Field Marshall Montgomery.