NIGHT'S BLACK AGENTS. Boston: Gregg Press, 1980. Octavo, cloth. First printing of the first hardcover edition of the expanded collection. A presentation copy with a signed inscription by Leiber on the front free endpaper to David G. Hartwell, the editor of The Gregg Press Science Fiction Series, in which this book was included: "For David Hartwell / With my very / best wishes. / Fritz Leiber / Nov 1, 1980." Text offset from that of the 1978 Berkley edition that reprinted the stories printed in the 1947 Arkham House edition and added "The Girl With the Hungry Eyes" and "A Bit of the Dark World." The Gregg Press edition adds introduction by Richard Gid Powers. The nine stories featured in "modern horrors," include "Smoke Ghost," "The Automatic Pistol" and "The Hound," three classics of urban horror, a sub-genre that Leiber helped shape. Barron (ed), Horror Literature 3-126. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1002. Schlobin, The Literature of Fantasy 638. Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 4-146. Cawthorn and Moorcock, Fantasy: The 100 Best Books 67 for story "Adept's Gambit." A fine copy without dust jacket as issued. The most important copy of a seminal collection of modern heroic fantasy and horror fiction. (#158789).
Price: $1,750.00
"First Printing, September, 1980" on copyright page.