Lowry, Capt. Gerald – A Place Among Men

Description

Lowry, Capt. Gerald ‘A Place Among Men’ 1928 1st ed. 73-pages. “The story of a great fight to overcome blindness, and to regain an independent position among men, with description of sporting achievements, and the art of keeping fit through the new science of Osteopathy, etc.” Includes mention of his experience boxing in the army. Quite a bit of foxing on some of the pages, similar to that pictured on the title page, a single foxing mark on many others, else good condition.

A Place Among Men is a 1928 autobiographical and inspirational book written by Captain Gerald Lowry and published by Mondiale in London.

Book Overview:
• The Core Subject: The book is a deeply personal memoir and philosophical reflection detailing Lowry’s experiences after being blinded during World War I. Capt. Gerald Lowry was notable as the first officer blinded in the Great War to qualify as a chartered masseur (physiotherapist) at St Dunstan’s (the famous British charity for blind servicemen).
• The Themes: Running at just 73 pages, the short book focuses on overcoming catastrophic physical trauma, finding psychological resilience, and reclaiming a position of utility and dignity—or, as the title implies, “a place among men”—despite complete loss of sight. It is often accompanied by photographic illustrations depicting his journey.
Market Scarcity and Rarity
From a book-collecting and antiquarian perspective, A Place Among Men is considered quite scarce, though it is not exceedingly valuable in terms of monetary cost.
• Low Survival Rate: Because it was published by a small, lesser-known London publisher (Mondiale) in a brief, specialized run, very few physical copies have survived into the 21st century. It is rarely found in standard brick-and-mortar used bookstores.
• Value Profile: Despite its scarcity, the market demand for the book is highly niche. An original 1928 hardcover first edition in good condition usually commands a modest price of around $35 to $50 USD. Interestingly, due to its low print volume, a significant portion of the surviving copies that surface on the market happen to be signed by the author with personal gift inscriptions.