London, Phoenix House, 1954. First edition, first impression. Hardback. A very good copy. An early Clarke book. Signed by the author without inscription. The jacket has a large, ragged tear to the top edge and a similar one to the lower edge of the fold. A couple of smaller tears. Head of spine crushed. Most of the tears have been held to the jacket interior. Price clipped. Gift inscription to the front pastedown. A little worn overall, but uncommon signed. [9341, Hyraxia Books].