Gilbert Phelps — The Centenarians, a Fable

London, Melbourne, Toronto, Heinemann, 1958. Paperback. The very scarce uncorrected proof copy of this speculative fiction work by the British writer and broadcaster Gilbert Phelps. The uncorrected proof copy of Gilbert Phelps' The Centenarians (1958).  Very scarce. Gilbert Phelps was a British writer and broadcaster best known for his nine distinguished novels and criticism on foreign literature. The Centenarians is Phelps' first speculative or science fiction novel which recounts the tense experiences of a group of distinguished people who, hiding together in secret, hope to survive nuclear war. In the original publisher's paper wraps. Externally, generally smart with toning, heaviest to the spine, and a minor closed tear to the head of the spine. Previous owner's neat inscription towards the front top edge. Internally, firmly bound with generally bright, clean pages, barring light age toning and some scattered spotting exclusive to the extreme fore edge of the text block. One very neat archival repair to a closed tear (possibly just a crease) on pp.3, not impacting text's legibility. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .