THE ROAD TO SAMARCAND

First edition, first printing. Original orange cloth with titles in gilt to the spine, in the dustwrapper designed by Ralph Thompson. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with a little rubbing at the extremities, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with is a little faint spotting at the closed text block edge, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has several short closed tears and small chips at the edges and some fading to the spine. Not price-clipped (10s 6d net to the front flap).

A stand-alone adventure story, preceding the Aubrey/Maturin novels for which the author became famous. The first edition jacket classifies the work as being suitable for older children; later editions (including the currently available paperback) omits this guidance and is presented uniformly with O'Brian's "adult" novels. "Newly orphaned Derrick is entrusted to the care of his gruff Uncle Sullivan, captain of the Wanderer. In a quest for the treasures of Central Asia, they set off on foot accompanied by their eccentric elderly cousin, the Professor."