THE INHERITORS: AN EXTRAVAGANT STORY. London: William Heinemann, 1901. Octavo, pp. [1-4] 1-323 [324] + [32]-page publisher's catalogue inserted at rear, original pictorial yellow cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black, publisher's monogram stamped in black on rear panel, top edge untrimmed, other edges rough trimmed. First British edition, first issue, first binding. 1520 copies printed (utilizing the plates of the McClure, Phillips edition) of which this is one of 1000 in the first binding (top edge not trimmed; publisher's catalogue inserted at rear; "W H" bracketing windmill on spine panel). This copy does not have the dedication leaf later inserted in a few copies. The only work in the science fiction genre by either Conrad or Ford. Earth is invaded by the Dimensionists, an advanced humanoid race from earth's future, who co-exist with the present in an alternate universe on a different plane in time. A remarkable book that can be read as a probing social satire or as provocative science fiction. See Elaine L. Kleiner, "Joseph Conrad's Forgotten Role in the Emergence of Science Fiction," Extrapolation, 15 (December 1973), 25-34. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-276. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 460. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 186. Clarke, Tale of the Future (1978), p. 27. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 57. Bleiler (1978), p. 48. Reginald 03318. Cagle A6a(3), binding a. Wise 9. Harvey A9b. Publisher's "presentation copy" embossed stamp on title leaf. Some soiling to cloth, lower corner tips lightly bruised, minor foxing to endpapers, largely along gutter margins, two small, faint tape ghosts on each free endpaper, a tight, very good copy. Externally bright and attractive; the cover soiling is less than is usually encountered on this book. (#80407).
Price: $1,000.00
No statement of printing.