Ballard's second Gollancz publication and uncommon in this first issue binding. So normally this book comes in the standard Gollancz red boards. A while ago we became aware the Boots Library copies (never found in dust jacket which which were discard before circulation) were put out in the brown boards. Now, Boots typically received their copies first, they having so great purchasing power, which leads to the inevitable conclusion that this is the earliest binding. The present is the first we have encountered in the early binding, with no library markings and retaining the original dust jacket.

First edition, first impression, first issue binding; 8vo; unmarked internally; publisher's brown boards, titles to spine gilt, with the unclipped dust jacket, light spotting to top edge, but an very good copy in the nicked and very lightly rubbed dust-jacket with a couple of minor snags at the top of the spine panel.