London, Michael Joseph, 1951. First Edition. First Impression. Hardback. Inscribed by the author. A superb near fine copy, the binding square and firm with tiny bumps at the upper corners, the contents clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper which has a couple of short closed tears at the fold corners and a single small piece of tape to the underside at the head of the spine. Correctly priced 10s 6d net to the front flap. The original "Daily Graphic" wraparound band has a small chip on the upper portion (the chip retained and loosely laid in) and a couple of closed tears at the folds with tape to the underside. An excellent example of one of the undisputed highlights of 20th Century British Science Fiction, scarce in its complete form and highly desirable in inscribed state. Inscribed by the author in black ink on the front free endpaper "Yours / John Wyndham [underlined] / (John Beynon Harris) / 22-8-51". One of a small number of first editions that the reclusive author is known to have signed on this day, two days prior to the official publication date. Cover art by Patrick Gierth [8909, Hyraxia Books].
