ADAMS, Douglas (1952-2001)

The Hitch Hiker's Guide To the Galaxy [SIGNED TRUE FIRST PRINT]

London: Pan Books Ltd, 1979

110 x 177mm; pp. [159], [1]

A TRUE FIRST PRINTING OF THE HITCH HIKER'S GUIDE, SIGNED BY ADAMS INSIDE THE FRONT COVER AT THE DENMARK STREET SIGNING, AND RETAINING THE 'DON'T PANIC!' LP AD.

The Hitch Hiker's Guide began life as a radio series, debuting on 8 March 1978 and running for six episodes that spring. ("Hitchhiker's" was Adams' preferred spelling, but here the title is "Hitch Hiker's", a usage we will follow in this description.) In spite of its huge early success, the BBC did not pursue the publishing rights, which were acquired for £3,000 by the paperback publisher Pan Books. The novel was published on 12 October 1979, with distinctive cover art by Hipgnosis. By this time a second radio series had aired and The Hitch Hiker's Guide was a sensation.

Just prior to publication, on October 10, the first book signing took place at the one year old Forbidden Planet shop in Denmark Street, London. As Adams was new to book signings he inscribed copies on the unusual location of the inside front cover (also a wise choice as the ink would have soaked through the thin paper of the main text block). Later signings tend not to be dedicated and are signed in biro to the title-page.

In spite of the large print run (60,000 copies) the first printing is now very rare, owing to its fragility. Signed copies of the true first are very rare indeed, especially in early signings such as this. Finally, this copy retains the often missing flyer for the double LP version of HG2G.

The book is in remarkable condition. The paper is age-toned and fragile as always, but is as good as any copy we have seen. The binding is square and unmarked, and the only condition point worth noting is some very faint spotting to the front cover, lower left corner. An exceptional copy in ever respect.

We include a short letter from a previous dealer giving further details on provenance.