Winner of the inaugural International Fantasy Award in 1951, George R. Stewart’s Earth Abides is widely considered the definitive work of post-apocalyptic fiction. Eschewing the sensationalism of many "last man" narratives, Stewart provides a scientifically grounded and philosophically deep exploration of humanity’s fall after a global pandemic. Its influence can be seen in everything from Stephen King’s The Stand to modern climate fiction, making it a mandatory cornerstone for any serious science fiction collection.
Edition: First Edition, Second Printing (1949).
Publisher: Random House, New York.
Binding:Quarter-bound in black cloth with blue paper-covered boards. The spine features silver gilt (silver-stamped) lettering and decorations.
Dust Jacket: Lacking (Book only).
Condition Points: The volume is in Good condition. The internal pages are notably clean and intact. The binding exhibits a slight, age-appropriate tilt, and the endpapers contain a faint contemporary pencil inscription. The silver lettering on the spine remains legible against the black cloth.
While the true first printing of Earth Abides is increasingly scarce, this second printing from the original 1949 run offers collectors an authentic early artifact of Stewart's masterpiece. This specific binding—quarter-bound with blue boards and silver lettering—is a handsome variant of the Random House production. Because the text block remains supple and bright, it is an ideal "collector's copy" for those who prioritize the historical weight of an early Stewart state.
Want more information about collecting science fiction titles? Check out our resources page for articles about identifying first editions, and collecting books from Gnome and Fantasy Press.
Winner of the inaugural International Fantasy Award in 1951, George R. Stewart’s Earth Abides is widely considered the definitive work of post-apocalyptic fiction. Eschewing the sensationalism of many "last man" narratives, Stewart provides a scientifically grounded and philosophically deep exploration of humanity’s fall after a global pandemic. Its influence can be seen in everything from Stephen King’s The Stand to modern climate fiction, making it a mandatory cornerstone for any serious science fiction collection.
Edition: First Edition, Second Printing (1949).
Publisher: Random House, New York.
Binding:Quarter-bound in black cloth with blue paper-covered boards. The spine features silver gilt (silver-stamped) lettering and decorations.
Dust Jacket: Lacking (Book only).
Condition Points: The volume is in Good condition. The internal pages are notably clean and intact. The binding exhibits a slight, age-appropriate tilt, and the endpapers contain a faint contemporary pencil inscription. The silver lettering on the spine remains legible against the black cloth.
While the true first printing of Earth Abides is increasingly scarce, this second printing from the original 1949 run offers collectors an authentic early artifact of Stewart's masterpiece. This specific binding—quarter-bound with blue boards and silver lettering—is a handsome variant of the Random House production. Because the text block remains supple and bright, it is an ideal "collector's copy" for those who prioritize the historical weight of an early Stewart state.
Want more information about collecting science fiction titles? Check out our resources page for articles about identifying first editions, and collecting books from Gnome and Fantasy Press.
