Burnside Rare Books

Rocket Ship Galileo [Dedication Copy]

Heinlein, Robert A.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1947.

First edition, first printing. The dedication copy of the author's first published novel, signed and inscribed by Robert A. Heinlein in the year of publication "with best wishes to my nephew Lawrence Lewis 'Buddy' Heinlein [signed] Robert Heinlein Nov. 1947" with an arrow pointing to Buddy's printed name on the dedication page. Additionally signed by Lawrence Lewis Heinlein as "L. L. Heinlein" on the front free endpaper. Lawrence was the son of Robert's brother.

Bound in publisher's original black cloth stamped in green. Very Good with light wear and light soiling to cloth, spine ends and corners lightly worn, bumping to corners throughout, toning to endsheets with a small check mark to the top of the front free endpaper, pages tanned and with sporadic imperfections mostly affecting the margins at the fore edge. In a Near Fine supplied first state dust jacket priced at $2.00 with light edge wear and two tape reinforcements made to the verso.

An immensely important work of science fiction and milestone in the genre. It was the first in the Heinlein juveniles, a long and successful series of science fiction novels published by Scribner's, and introduced a new generation of post-war young readers to the genre of science fiction

Anatomy of Wonder calls this "A pioneering novel that began American mainstream science fiction for children and combined young protagonists, gadgetry, current science, and adventure in such a way that even today the book retains interest." It was "the first U.S. juvenile SF novel to reflect the new levels of characterization, style and scientific plausibility now expected in the field. It was the first in a series that represents the most important contribution any single writer has made to children's SF." - Clute and Nicholls, The Science Fiction Encyclopedia. Item #140944575

Price: $45,000.00