Wings – John Monk Saunders (New York, Grosset & Dunlap, 1927)

Description
Bound in a worn but still striking blue cloth, embossed with aviation motifs, this edition of Wings evokes the golden age of early aviation cinema. The spine, though frayed, retains its bold type and wing insignia. Inside, a tipped-in still from the Paramount production introduces the reader to the photoplay that made history as the very first Academy Award winner for Best Picture. The browned pages, softened by nearly a century, carry both narrative prose and photographic inserts that link literature and film.

History & Interest
John Monk Saunders (1897–1940) was an American novelist and screenwriter, fascinated by aviation and the toll of World War I on pilots. Wings was adapted from his story and released by Paramount in 1927, directed by William A. Wellman and starring Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and Richard Arlen. The film is legendary: it not only pioneered aerial cinematography but also won the first Oscar for Best Picture in 1929. Grosset & Dunlap’s edition bridged cinema and literature, letting audiences bring the magic of the screen into their homes.

Age
Published in 1927 by Grosset & Dunlap, New York. This book is now about 98 years old, edging close to a century, and stands as a tangible artifact from Hollywood’s silent film era.

Obscure Lore
While Wings is celebrated for its dogfights and technical feats, Saunders’ text delves more deeply into themes of camaraderie, jealousy, and sacrifice. Copies like this, printed to coincide with the film’s release, were often read by moviegoers who had never before seen aviation dramatized with such realism. Its film tie-in format — complete with stills — helped establish a publishing model still used today.

Modern Appeal
For collectors, Wings holds a dual significance: it is both a relic of literary Hollywood marketing and a monument to early aviation storytelling. For cinema historians, it is a cornerstone linking silent-era spectacle with literary culture. Its presence on a shelf is more than decorative — it is a witness to the first Oscar ceremony and the dawn of epic film storytelling.