The Snow Queen (The Masterpieces of Science Fiction series)

First thus. Stated ‘collector’s edition’.  viii, [2],470pp, with a colour plate frontispiece and one further colour plate illustration. Bound in full blue leather, three raised bands to spine and 22kt gilt stamped lettering and decorations.  All edges gilt.  Decorated endpapers and blue 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.  A lovely fresh copy, neat, clean, bright and tight throughout.

This copy possibly from the library of Brian Aldiss: a delivery slip identifying the title of the book and with his name and address loosely laid in.  The delivery slip is folded and it is toned and bumped along one edge.  Also loosely laid in are the original collector’s notes issued by Easton Press with the volume (folded) and the unused bookplate issued with the volume.  Brian Aldiss (1925-2017) was a prolific and influential British science fiction writer, one of the pioneers of the 1960s ‘new wave’ movement. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America in 1999 and was awarded an OBE for services to literature in 2005.

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.  Joan Vinge’s The Snow Queen was first published in 1980 by Dial Press, winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel the following year.