Books

New York, Gnome Press, 1953. First Edition. First Impression. Hardback. A fine copy. First hardback edition, published earlier in Startling Stories in 1948 (making it Clarke's first novel). Subsequently expanded and published as The City and the Stars. A little bumping to the spine tips at the boards, owner's name and a small ink mark (both to the endpapers). Cover art by Frank Kelly Frease [11054, Hyraxia Books].

The City and the Stars is a classic science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke. Set in the far future, the novel explores the life of Alvin, a unique child born in the fully automated, self-contained city of Diaspar. Unlike his fellow citizens who are content living a repetitive and unchanging existence, Alvin becomes curious about the outside world and embarks on a journey that leads to the discovery of humanity's past and the true nature of the universe.