New York, Gnome Press, 1952. First Edition. First Impression. Hardback. A near fine copy. The first US edition (the UK Sidgwick edition precedes by a few months). A lovely copy. Clarke's first or second published novel (Prelude to Space was published in 1951 also, in the US by World Editions, sources disagree as to which came first). A few minor tears and nibbles to the top of the spine, and a few trivial areas of wear to the edges. A little toning to jacket rear. All in all an excellent copy. Cover art by Ric Binkley [8846, Hyraxia Books].