Assembly Call Value Guide

Assembly Call is a poignant 1942 collection of aviation-themed poetry and illustrations created by Don Blanding under the pseudonym 'A Flyer's Dad.' This work is highly collectible due to Blanding's transition from his famous Hawaiian themes to patriotic WWII tribute art, specifically honoring the United States Air Force.

What affects the value of Assembly Call?

• The physical condition of the fragile paper and cardboard covers significantly impacts the $45-$50 price point.
• Presence of the original dust jacket, which is often missing or torn, can push value to the higher end of the range.
• The scarcity of clean, unmarked copies without foxing or yellowing to the wartime-era paper stock.
• Association with Don Blanding's broader bibliography, as cross-over appeal to Blanding collectors increases demand.

How to Identify Assembly Call?

• Verify the 1942 publication date and the pseudonym 'A Flyer's Dad' on the title page.
• Look for Don Blanding's signature silhouette-style graphic illustrations throughout the interior pages.
• Check for the original cloth binding and cardboard cover construction typical of early 1940s wartime production.
• Confirm the presence of both sentimental verse and specific military aviation imagery unique to this volume.

History of Assembly Call

Written by the 'Vagabond Poet' Don Blanding under the pseudonym 'A Flyer's Dad,' this book was created to honor and support the young men serving in the Air Force during World War II. Blanding was a highly popular American poet and illustrator known for his works on Hawaii and his distinctive graphic style. This specific volume features his signature silhouette-style illustrations and sentimental verse, aimed at providing comfort and patriotic inspiration to families of pilots and the flyers themselves.