Arthur C. Clarke — The Young Traveller in Space

London, Phoenix House Ltd. 1954. First edition. Hardback. The first edition of this children's work by noted author Arthur C. Clarke. In the original dustwrapper and pictorial boards designed by Edmund Louis Blandford. Scarce in this condition. Contains one colour plate, thirty one monochrome plates and six diagrams. The Young Traveller in Space is an example of Clarke's works of non-fiction, this time designed for a young audience. The work tells the history of space travel and exploration, including an account of the solar system in a way suitable for children to understand. Arthur C. Clarke was a British science fiction writer and inventor, who is widely regarded as a key figure in the popularisation of space travel. His screenplay for the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was co-written with Stanley Kubrick, is considered to be one of the most influential films of all time. For many years Arthur C. Clarke, along with Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asmiov, were considered the 'Big Three' of science fiction writing although he also wrote a number of non-fiction works. In pictorial paper boards in the original unclipped dustwrapper. Externally very smart with some wear to the extremities and the head and tail of the spine. Ink inscription to front free endpaper. Dustwrapper is smart, with some closed tears and chipping to the extremities. Slight loss to the head and tail of the spine and the flyleaves. A few marks to the wrap. Slight sunning to the wrap. Internally firmly bound. Age-toning to pages due to paper used. Very Good . Ill.: Edmund Louis Blandford, R. A. Smith et al. Very Good/Very Good.