Hugo Gernsback - Ralph 124c 41+ - The Stratford Company, 1925, Signed First Edition.

Boston, The Stratford Company, 1925. First Edition. First Impression. Hardback. A near fine copy. Signed by Gernsback without dedication. Gernsback is often referred to as The Father of Science Fiction, along with Wells and Verne. Whilst the latter are known for their writing, Gernsback is known for essentially creating the genre as a marketable thing. In 1926 Gernsback created Amazing Stories, the first science fiction magazine and the first forum dedicated to the intersection of fiction and science. Gernsback created the term science fiction (though he pushed more for scientifiction). Ralph 124C 41+ was his first novel and was first published in Modern Electrics in 1911 over 12 months. Whilst the book has been (rightly) panned for being not-so-great literature, it is highly imaginative with pioneering ideas including solar panels, radar and television. An important milestone in science fiction, and a highly-collectable book. Condition: the jacket has a few areas of wear, but is better than often found. Sadly, it's been refinforced internally by brown tape. The tape only shows through in a couple of places, mostly to a large tear at the lower spine (around 50mm). The jacket is a little toned. Some pushing and toning to the edges of the boards, but otherwise an excellent copy. A great book. Cover art by Frank R. Paul [8897, Hyraxia Books].