THE GIRL IN THE GOLDEN ATOM. New York and London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1923. Octavo, pp. [1-10] 1-341 [342: blank], original purple cloth, front and spine panels stamped in yellow. First U.S. edition. Code "I-X" on copyright page. Second binding of purple cloth stamped in yellow. Text differs from that of the earlier Methuen edition that was slightly abridged. "The Girl in the Golden Atom," Cummings' first published story, appeared in the 15 March 1919 issue of ALL-STORY WEEKLY. It was an instant success and was followed by a sequel, "People of the Golden Atom," published in ALL-STORY WEEKLY 24 January–28 February 1920. The two stories are here collected as the author's first book. "... a brand-new plot: humans reduced to the size of the atom, finding a whole new universe in the diminutive scale. Within the limits of a gold wedding ring the scientific pioneers encounter a strange civilization; prehistoric monsters; treasons; spoils; a fight for life; and a hairbreadth escape back to this good old world of ours. An extraordinary and absorbing adventure story." - publisher's blurb. Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-54; (1981) 2-19; (1987) 2-22; (1995) 2-28; and (2004) II-294. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 512. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 225. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 63. Survey of Science Fiction Literature II, pp. 878-82. In 333. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 170. Bleiler (1978), p. 54. Reginald 03691. Top and fore edges of text block a bit tanned, else a fine copy in good printed dust jacket priced $2.00 with wear along top and bottom edges, mainly spine ends and corner tips, 10 x 12 mm v-chip at top edge of front spine fold with associated tear, small nick and rub at bottom edge of front panel, and some general dust soiling. Overall, a very decent example of this fragile jacket. (#165196).
Price: $650.00
First printing has code "I-X" on copyright page.