The New American Library, Inc, New York, 1968
Stated First Edition, First printing, SUPERB ASSOCIATION COPY: Signed and Inscribed by Clarke on the half title page TO FRED DURANT, Ex. Director of NASA “To Pip & Fred – / with love / Arthur / Chevy Chase / 24 Oct. ‘77”.. A wonderful association copy of Clarke’s vision of humanity’s future in space inscribed to one of the leading scientists in the field of space exploration. Durant was a leading figure in the pantheon of space pioneers, and worked for several different aerospace organizations… later becoming the director of astronautics for the National Air and Space Museum” (NASA). (see bio and provenance below)
Provenance: Frederick C. Durant III (1916–2015), whose personal book–label is shown on the front paste down, was of a significant space scientist and author. Fredrick C. Durant III was “a leading figure in the pantheon of space pioneers” (San Francisco Chronicle) who “was heavily involved in rocketry in the United States during the period between the end of World War II and the mid–1960s. He worked for several different aerospace organizations… [and] later became the director of astronautics for the National Air and Space Museum” (NASA). Durant helped organize Project Orbiter, which culminated in the launch of Explorer I in 1958, the first American satellite and the instrument that discovered the Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts. He also co–authored The Art of Chesley Bonestell, to which Clarke contributed a foreword and which won a Hugo Award for best non–fiction book in 2002. A WONDERFUL ASSOCIATION COPY of Clarke’s vision of humanity’s future in space inscribed to one of the leading scientists in the field of space exploration. Barron, Anatomy of Wonder 4–159; Currey, p. 115.
Original publisher’s black and blue boards, with the iconic illustrated endpapers. The book is in near fine condition with crisp, blue and black quarter paper boards with sharp corners, and no edgewear. The binding is tight and square. The distinguished end papers are in perfect condition and include the personal book label of F.C. Durant, III. The internal pages are bright, flat and clean inside with No marks, No inscriptions, No stains, No bent pages, No age toning and No foxing. Beautiful crisp book appearing as unread! Please see images.
The original lightly nicked first edition dust jacket is in beautiful condition with strong vibrant colors. The jacket is still rigid with the white background being clean and bright and remains unclipped with a state price of $4.95 on the front inner flap. The dust jacket is now protected in a new clear removeable archival cover. Please see images.
With the success of both the book and film, Clarke “became perhaps the best–known science fiction writer in the world” (Clarke & Nicholls, p. 231). Clarke’s novel, the first in an eventual tetralogy, is “about two things [he] seems to think we mortals would most like to know in a universe in which we can only hope that the odds are in favor of the race’s survival: that we are not alone and that we have not lived in vain”
