Blood Music (Masterpieces of Science Fiction series)

First thus. Stated ‘collector’s edition’.  262, [2]pp, with two colour plates.  Bound in full red leather, three raised bands to spine and 22kt gilt stamped lettering and decorations.  All edges gilt.  Decorated endpapers and ivory-coloured satin ribbon marker bound in.  Smyth-sewn pages with decorative head band.  Printed on archival-quality, acid-free paper which will not tan over time. 4to.  Tiny white spot mark on front cover else volume is neat, clean, bright and tight throughout.  Collectors’ Notes and unused bookplate, both issued by the Easton Press with the volume, loosely laid in.  The Collectors’ notes are folded and a little bumped on edges. Also loosely laid in is a delivery slip indicating that the volume was sent to Brian Aldiss, likely the prolific and influential science fiction writer. The delivery slip is folded and toned around edges.

The Easton Press, founded in 1975, is renowned for publishing fine quality and masterfully crafted, leather bound books.  The volumes are often reissues of historical, canonical and classical literature but the Easton Press also has original and modern sub-genres in its catalogue. Many of its publications use elegant, classic typography and vintage or specially commissioned illustrations: all are beautifully designed with stylish exterior and interior detailing.