RALPH 124C 41+: A ROMANCE OF THE YEAR 2660. Boston: The Stratford Company, Publishers, 1925. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [1-8] 9-293 [294: blank], eleven inserted plates with illustrations by Frank R. Paul, original blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold. First edition. Widely acclaimed upon its initial appearance in 1911 as a serial in Gernsback's magazine, MODERN ELECTRICS, this interplanetary novel by "the father of modern science fiction" is virtually unreadable today. However, historically, its impact and the prominence of its author in the SF field, elevates it to cornerstone status in the SF genre. "The literary treatment is on a very low level, but RALPH 124C 41+ is renowned for its many highly imaginative technological projections. These include clear descriptions of radar, book and newspaper microfilms and microfiches, television, plant hormones, wireless transmission of power ... etc." (Bleiler, p. 282). Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-80; (1981) 1-77; (1987) 1-37; (1995) 1-37; and (2004) II-431. Bleiler, Science Fiction: The Early Years 863. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 335. Lewis, Utopian Literature, p. 70. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 90. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, Additions. Survey of Science Fiction Literature IV, pp. 1751-54. In 333. Bleiler (1978), p. 81. Reginald 05900. Light rubbing to cloth at spine ends and lower corner tips, text block just a bit tanned, a clean, solid, very good copy with bright cover stamping. (#149188).
Price: $850.00
No statement of printing.