Arthur C. Clarke

Childhood's End By Arthur C. Clarke First UK edition, first impression, published in 1954; the year after the American edition (Ballantine Books, August 1953) . A landmark of modern science fiction and one of Clarke’s most enduring works, 'Childhood’s End' explores the transformation of humankind under the guidance of the enigmatic “Overlords”. Expanded from Clarke’s short story “Guardian Angel” (1950), the novel established his reputation as a writer of rare intellectual and imaginative depth. Octavo. Original light blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt. With the original dust jacket designed by Deborah Jones, reproducing her oil painting exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists in 1953. Light fading to spine base, some offsetting to paste-downs and browning to rear endpaper. The jacket shows light rubbing and small chips to extremities, a few short closed tears, but remains bright and unrestored, the spine only slightly toned. Price “10s. 6d. net” intact on the front flap. A very good copy in a very good dust jacket.