GRAY LENSMAN. Reading, Pennsylvania: Fantasy Press, 1951. Octavo, cloth. First edition. One of 500 copies signed by Smith (this is copy #407) with his additional personalized inscription on the limitation leaf to Edward L. Corton The fourth book of the Lensman series. The superhuman telepathic Lensmen, secretly bred by the Arisians, are the ultimate instrument in a war between Arisians and evil Eddorians, sponsors of the interstellar cartel known as Boskone, perhaps the most famous genre-science-fiction criminal organization of all. Most of the Lensman series was published in ASTOUNDING, this novel as a four-part serial in 1939 with Campbell as editor. "The greatest of the early golden age space opera ... [this novel] best of series." - Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 3-355. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1052. Survey of Science Fiction Literature III, pp. 1183-87. Corton's name, address and date in ink on the verso of the front free endpaper and his book label affixed to front paste-down. A fine copy in nearly fine dust jacket with touch of wear at lower rear corner tip and 32 mm closed tear along bottom edge of front flap fold. A lovely copy in a very bright, attractive jacket. (#134528).
Price: $850.00
First edition so stated on copyright page.