New York, Gnome Press, 1953. First Edition. First Impression. Hardback. A near fine copy. An excellent book. First hardback edition, published earlier in Startling Stories in 1948 (making it Clarke's first novel). Subsequently expanded and published as The City and the Stars. Some rubbing to the board edges, a little light wear to the spine tips (one short 4mm tear to top edge). 25mm closed tear to lower jacket edge, taped to interior Cover art by Frank Kelly Frease [8288, Hyraxia Books].