Back From Berlin by Anthony Saunders

This special edition book and print portfolio consists of two matching-numbered elements…

The Limited Edition veteran-signed print... Back From Berlin

Exclusively commissioned for the occasion, Anthony has portrayed a group of B-17 Flying Fortresses as they make landfall over England following the Eighth Air Force’s first daylight raid to Berlin carried out on 4 March 1944.

While the rest of the force had been recalled due to bad weather, two squadrons from the 95th BG, one from the 100th BG and a pathfinder from the 482nd BG pressed on towards Berlin. With their P-51 Mustang escorts from the 4th FG and 357th FG, the small American force successfully released their bombs on target despite the large presence of Luftwaffe fighters over the German capital.

and

A 128 page hardback book in its own embossed slipcase...The Mighty Eighth

The heroics of the airmen who served in the U.S. 8th Air Force and fought in the embattled skies of Europe during WWII are legendary. This new book provides a unique glimpse into the lives of some of the men and machines that fought in that bitter, often titanic struggle, together with some of the extraordinary missions they flew, painstakingly researched with the assistance of leading historians.

Each copy of the book in these special editions is individually numbered and supplied in its own embossed slipcase.

Signatures:

Limited Edition: Each print has been signed by the artist and a highly-regarded USAAF veteran who took part in the raid depicted:

Captain ROBERT SHOENS – Pilot on B-17s / 100th BG

Collector's Editions and Artist's Proofs:
With all the components of the Limited Edition, each book in the Collector’s Edition contains a special bookplate additionally signed by five veterans who flew with the U.S. 8th Air Force during WWII

Brigadier General FRANK GAILER – P-51 Pilot / 357th FG / 5 victories

Major General WAYNE GATLIN – P-47 & P-51 Pilot / 356th FG / 1 victory

First Lieutenant JAMES RASMUSSEN – Navigator on B-17s / 100th BG

First Lieutenant DENNY THOMPSON – Pilot on B-24s & B-17s / 487th BG

Lieutenant Colonel EDWARD TYRE – Pilot on B-17s / 17th BG

The 8th Air Force Tribute Edition: Including an Original Pencil Drawing and a total of FOURTEEN signatures! With all the components of the Collector’s Edition, this highly-collectible Tribute Edition is issued with a matching-numbered original pencil drawing by Anthony. Each drawing is personally signed by three highly-regarded 8th Air Force veterans:

Lieutenant Colonel DON BRYAN – P-47 & P-51 Pilot / 352nd FG / 13 victories

First Lieutenant STEPHEN ANANIAN – P-51 Pilot / 339th FG / 4 victories

Captain ROBERT ‘PUNCHY’ POWELL – P-47 & P-51 Pilot / 352nd FG / 5 ½ victories

Creating a special collector’s piece to be cherished for future generations, each drawing is then matted to full conservation standards to include a further five autographs of leading airmen who flew with the Mighty Eighth, including the pilot of the lead aircraft on the raid depicted in Anthony’s print Back from Berlin and two leading American fighter Aces:

Captain ALVIN BROWN – Pilot on B-17s / 95th BG

Major General ROBERT BURNS – Pilot on B-17s / 351st BG

Colonel WILLIAM LAWLEY MoH – Pilot on B-17s / 305th BG

Colonel CLARENCE ‘BUD’ ANDERSON – P-51 Pilot / 357th FG / 16 ¼ victories

Colonel FRANCIS ‘GABBY’ GABRESKI – P-47 Pilot / 56th FG / 34 ½ victories

Canvas Giclée Studio Proof
For anyone preferring a canvas edition of Anthony’s piece Back From Berlin, these stunning Giclée Studio Proofs are also available. Printed directly on fine-weave artist’s canvas by one of Europe’s leading Giclée printers, the results are almost indistinguishable from the original painting in texture, tone and color.

Each canvas is issued alongside a matching-numbered book containing a bookplate signed by Captain BOB SHOENS – Pilot on B-17s / 100th BG