First UK and first hardback edition, first printing. Original black cloth with titles in silver to the spine, in the Barbara Walton illustrated dustwrapper. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the contents clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very near fine lightly rubbed dustwrapper that has a tiny scuff to the rear panel and remains without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£16.99 on the front flap).
First published in America as a paperback original in 1954. This first hardcover edition is one of only 200 copies.
Stock code: 25518
£40
London: Robert Hale.
2001