Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1947
First Edition, First impression Beautiful book with the original first printing dust jacket. Boldly SIGNED by Robert Heinlein in vibrant blue ink on a cut signature adhered to the half title page. ROCKET SHIP GALILEO was Heinlein’s first published novel, and a hallmark science fiction book described as follows:
ROCKET SHIP GALILEO is “the first US 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 (eds.), The Science Fiction Encyclopedia (1993), pp. 554-57. “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.” – Anatomy of Wonder (1995) 5-62.
The book is in great condition with black boards, and green titles to spine with a green rocket ship to front board. The book is signed in vibrant blue ink by Robert Heinlein on a signature cut which is laid and adhered to the half title page. The boards are clean with slightly rounded corners and no edgewear. The binding is tight and square. The end papers are clean with no owner names, no inscriptions and no book plates. The internal pages are clean, and flat with No marks, No bent pages, No foxing and no stains. Beautiful clean book with several fun illustrations. Please see detailed images.
The original price clipped dust jacket has benefited from some restoration and presents beautifully with a faint spot of rubbing to the front flap crease. The dust jacket has strong bright vibrant colors with No edgewear, No rips, No chips, No stains, No fading, No foxing and No rubbing. Please see multiple images.
A handsome Science Fiction highlight classic, scarce signed. Presents well on the shelf!
