Edward E Smith Spacehounds of IPC PRESENTATION SIGNED 1st 1st -Fantasy Press

First issue of the book with the interior illustrations present. First issue of the dust jacket with only four titles to the rear. (More detailed information regarding the issue points provided below).

The book has lightly nudged tips, trace sunning, shelf wear, and a few scattered spots. The boards remain mostly straight, the lettering on the spine is bright and legible, the binding is square and firm, and internally there is no writing or other markings. The dust jacket is edge worn with some creases, rubbing and shallow areas of loss. There was a long tear to the rear extending to the flap which was tape mended many years ago. The old tape was removed at some point, although staining remains, and was replaced with modern non acidic tape.

This is the correct, and uncommon, first issue dust jacket which only had 4 titles to the rear. The second issue dust jacket had eleven titles. The book is the correct first issue with 1947 on title title page, "First Edition" stated, and the illustrations presents.

The second issue will retain the date and statement but then lacks the interior illustrations. In 1949 there was the second printing, which also had two states, and to some degree is just as confusing. All that being said, this is the earliest state of both the book and the jacket.

The first state had a print run of 2,008 copies of which 300 were issued numbered and signed. This copy is signed but is not numbered. The limited issue was signed and numbered on a special sheet which was glossy and identical in feel and appearance to the paper used for the interior illustration. Our copy is signed, with a non personalized inscription, on this same paper.

As such it is one of a presumably tiny amount which were unnumbered and left as gifts for the publisher or the author. Spacehounds of IPC was the first title to be issued by the legendary Fantasy Press. The signed limited editions were printed before the regular trade issues by Fantasy Press, and given that this is the first title they published, and that it was a unique gift copy, it seems more than reasonable to assume that it was likely one of the first 10 or so copies to come off of the printing press.

Holding this title in your hands is holding the beginnings of one of the most influential science fiction printing houses. All books which are in dust jackets will be mailed with a clear archival dust jacket protector fitted.

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