ARMATA, A Fragment; Together with THE SECOND PART OF ARMATA

First edition of both parts, each an inscribed presentation copy. Two volumes bound in one. Contemporary full red morocco gilt. All edges gilt. A very good copy, the attractive binding with gilt borders and titles, skillfully repaired to the spine tips. Previous owner's bookplate to the reverse of the front free endpaper with some spotting and darkening to the margins of early pages. Scarce in first edition, rare in presentation state. The first work of science fiction by a Scottish author, Armata is also considered to be the first novel with a parallel (twin) Earth concept.

Volume one inscribed by Erskine at the head of the title page "To Miss Emily Calcraft / with the author's best regards", a previous owner's ink inscription [possibly in the hand of Emily Calcraft] "By Lord Erskine" partially scratched out from beneath the printed title. Two pages with emendations by the author in the margins. Volume two inscribed by Erskine at the head of the title page "To Miss Emily Calcraft / from the author" and with notes to the margins of three pages. At the rear, over six pages in manuscript are an appendix and notes by the author. No appendix was printed in the first or second edition, and we have not seen a third edition, but when comparing the manuscript with that of the appendix published in the fourth edition there are minor, mainly editorial, differences.