Books

[New York]: Gnome Press, Inc., [1953]. First edition. Some tanning to end papers, some rubs to lower board edges, a nearly fine copy in a nearly fine dust jacket with a 23 mm closed tear to the upper front panel and some very mild shelf wear. (28451). Octavo, boards. Inscribed and signed by Clarke on the front free endpaper. Expanded and rewritten as THE CITY AND THE STARS (1956). This earlier version utilizing the archetypal youth's quest and coming of age theme, a theme lost in the revised version, is still preferred by many readers. [Reference: Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-245. Survey of Science Fiction Literature I, pp. 374-77].

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.

To determine if a copy of 'The City and the Stars' is a first edition, one would typically check the publisher's information and compare the release date, look for a specific statement of 'First Edition' or 'First Printing' on the copyright page, and check for a dust jacket design used in the first edition.