London, Jonathan Cape, 1922. First Edition. First Impression. Hardback. A very good copy. A rare and important book. Inscribed by the author to the verso of the front endpaper. An association copy of sorts inscribed to poet and editor Thomas Moult. Rarely found in both jacket and inscribed. The first in Eddison's Zimiamvian series. An important entry in the fantasy genre, and it's blend of Norse roots and medievalism an influence on Tolkien's output and much other subsequent fantasy. Taking place mostly on Mercury which is referred to as 'Middle Earth' and exists as what has since become the standard for fantasy landscape, culture and politics. A distinct diversion from science fictionm, which was gathering steam, is the journey to Mercury which takes place on a winged-horse-drawn chariot which appears to compress time somewhat (much better than a rocket). C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were not just influenced by Eddison, but also admirers of his work with Tolkien commenting that Eddison was "The greatest and most convincing writer of invented worlds that I have read." [Tolkien, Letters] "A masterpiece, altogether without parallel in its grandiosity and eccentricity." [Barron, Fantasy Literature] "The finest heroic fantasy." [Bleiler]. The jacket is complete with a couple of short tears and some tanning to the spine. There's a curved crease to the jacket rear. Boards a little rubbed and some offsetting internally. A few pencil annotations. Overall an excellent copy of an important highlight of speculative fiction [Clute, SFE; Locke, Spectrum]. Illustrations by Keith Henderson [8819, Hyraxia Books].

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