Books

110 x 177mm; pp. [159], [1] TRUE FIRST PRINTING OF THIS SCI FI CLASSIC, PRECEDING THE HARDBACK, IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. The Hitch Hiker's Guide began life as a radio series, debuting on 8 March 1978 and running for six episodes that spring. (Hitchhiker's was Adams' preferred spelling, but here the title is Hitch Hiker's, a usage we will follow in this description.) In spite of its huge early success, the BBC did not pursue the publishing rights, which were acquired for �3,000 by the paperback publisher Pan Books. The novel was published on 12 October 1979, with distinctive cover art by Hipgnosis. By this time a second radio series had aired and The Hitch Hiker's Guide was a sensation. Note that this printing precedes the hardback Arthur Barker edition. In spite of the large print run (60,000 copies) the first printing is now very rare, owing to its fragility, and especially so in this condition. Very good: slight spine lean; small creases and scuffs to edges of the covers (but see photographs); internally browned as always, but clean and unmarked and very good indeed.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction novel by English author Douglas Adams. It was originally a radio comedy broadcast on the BBC in 1978 before it was developed into a series of five books that sold more than 15 million copies in his lifetime. The story follows the galactic adventures of Arthur Dent, a hapless Englishman, following the demolition of the Earth by aliens called Vogons, who is whisked into space by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the eponymous guidebook.