LTD EDITION PRINT WITH UNIQUE PENCIL REMARQUE · 85 SQUADRON HURRICANES OVER LONDON

A truly exceptional example of Gerald Coulson’s evocative aviation art, Defence of the Capital, portraying Hurricanes of 85 Squadron locked in a dramatic dogfight with Me109s high above London during the fierce aerial clashes of August 1940.

This is a limited edition print published in 2004 by The Military Gallery, numbered 51/400. It is hand-signed by the artist—who has also added a pencil remarque of a Hurricane in flight—and remarkably, also signed by 21 Battle of Britain airmen. The initial edition was signed by 5 veterans (Kemp, Nicholls, Lee, Foster, and Westlake), but this example has been signed by a further 16 airmen at a later reunion event, making it a significantly rarer and possibly unique survivor.

Details

• Artist: Gerald Coulson, VP GAvA (1926–2021)
• Title: Defence of the Capital
• Publisher: The Military Gallery, 2004
• Edition: Limited to 400 copies (this is No. 51)
• Medium: Lithographic print on semi-gloss paper
• Signatures: Hand-signed by Gerald Coulson and 21 Battle of Britain airmen (many with squadron numbers)
• Remarque: Original pencil remarque of a Hurricane added by Coulson
• Size: 68.7 × 50 cm (sheet) / 58.7 × 39 cm (image only)
• Framing: Unframed
• Shipping: Sent flat-packed by courier. Overseas buyers please enquire—rolled shipping option available at reduced rate.

Condition

• Near Fine to Very Good overall
• Just one or two faint marginal creases (barely noticeable)
• Never framed or mounted—free of residue or sun fading
• Stored flat since purchase; retains crispness and depth of tone

Why It Matters

• An extraordinary gathering of now-unobtainable Battle of Britain signatures
• Beautifully signed and remarqued by acclaimed aviation artist Gerald Coulson
• Rarely seen with such a large number of additional veteran signatures
• A highly collectible piece for aviation historians, military collectors, and WWII enthusiasts