ARTHUR C. CLARKE - Childhoods End - 1ST ED 1953 Start Price USD 8,500.00 Current Price USD 8,500.00 Time Left 25 days 14 hours 20 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 02, 2008 End Time Saturday, January 31, 2009 Location Exeter, New Hampshire See more about 'ARTHUR C. CLARKE - Childhoods End - 1ST ED 1953' Description New Arrivals All Auctions Rare Book Auctions Original Poster Auctions Title: Childhood's End. Author: CLARKE, Arthur C. New York: Ballantine Books, 1953. First edition, Octavo, Hardcover, boards & cloth in dust jacket. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket. "If one believes that life is a characteristic phenomenon in the Universe, and not a rare disease that has attacked a handful of unimportant worlds, then the conclusion is unavoidable that there must be at least some races far older and presumably far more advanced than our own." -Arthur C. Clarke, "The Exploration of Space" (1951). And so began the idea that would evolve into Clarke's 1953 masterpiece, "Childhood's End," about society's transformation and integration with a superior race known as the Overmind. Aptly titled by Clarke as the reader witnesses the end of earth’s children as they transform into the next stage of humanity and become part of the greater cosmos. An enormously popular novel pre-staging Clarke's major thematic statements in "2001: A Space Odyssey." Written during the golden age of science fiction, which saw the publication of many works of science fiction now considered classics in the genre, "Childhood's End" demonstrates the potential of science fiction to be much more than simply entertainment. Today, it resides as number 9 on David Pringle's "Best 100 Science Fiction Novels" and still stands as a great example of how science fiction can explore important ideas in a way that realistic, mainstream fiction never could. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket with two small closed tears, 1 cm at lower front spine fold, and 3 mm at upper front spine fold. A truly stunning copy of a book rarely found in such superior condition. Bloody Rare Books specializes in horror, science fiction, fantasy and crime and sells fine, first edition, signed and collectible books. We are a member of the IOBA, ABA and NEIBA. Bloody Rare Posters specializes in authentic and original movie posters and screenplays in horror, science fiction, fantasy and crime. Our posters are rare and genuine theater-used materials for films which had a U.S. theatrical release from the 1950's through today. We also carry foreign movie posters, including Belgian, Japanese, Polish, Czech and more. We do not sell reproductions. For inquiries please contact us at info@bloodyrare.com or by phone at 1-603-580-1209. A note about our books: All books listed as first editions are first printings, unless otherwise noted. All books are guaranteed to be as described in their listing or they may be returned for a full refund, postage included, within 7 days of receipt, provided they are received back in the same condition. All books are preserved and sold in archival dust jacket protectors and are packaged securely for shipment. Our highest grade for book condition is "fine." Please see our Book Collecting FAQ for additional information on condition guidelines and information on book collecting. A note about our posters: All posters are guaranteed originals and were issued for the original theatrical release of the film, unless otherwise noted. All posters noted as folded have been previously unfolded and preserved in mylar sleeves against acid-free board (and, in most cases, will be rolled and tubed for shipment). All posters are guaranteed to be as described in their listing or they may be returned for a full refund, postage included, within 7 days of receipt, provided they are received back in the same condition. All posters are packaged securely and shipped in sturdy boxes, flat packs or tubes, as the case may be. Our highest grade for poster condition is “mint”. Please see our Movie Poster FAQ for additional information on poster conditions and sizes. Condition grading: All photos displayed are of the actual item for sale. For additional photos or information on the condition of this item, please email us at info@bloodyrare.com. You can read more about our condition grading guidelines in our Book Collecting FAQs and Movie Posters FAQs. Returns: Customer satisfaction is extremely important to us and we are not satisfied unless you are. All items are guaranteed to be as described or they may be returned for a full refund, postage included, provided they are received back in the same condition within 7 days of receipt. We also require that you notify us of your intention to return the item within 48 hours of receiving it. All return shipments must be shipped insured, and in the original packaging (if possible). Bloody Rare Books, LLC. – P.O. Box 395 – Exeter, NH 03833-0395 Place a Bid!