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MR. STRANGER'S SEALED PACKET by MacColl, Hugh - 1889

by MacColl, Hugh

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MR. STRANGER'S SEALED PACKET by MacColl, Hugh - 1889

MR. STRANGER'S SEALED PACKET

by MacColl, Hugh

  • Used
  • first
London: Chatto & Windus, 1889. Octavo, pp. [i-iii] iv [1] 2-338 [339: publisher's colophon] [340: blank] + 32-page publisher's catalogue dated "April, 1889" inserted at rear, original decorated tan cloth, front and rear panels stamped in black, pink and red, spine panel stamped in black, pink and gold, top edge untrimmed, decorated white endpapers with floral pattern printed in gray. First edition. "An interplanetary science fiction novel, written by a mathematician, in the classic British mode of Greg's ACROSS THE ZODIAC. The protagonist travels to Mars in an electrically controlled antigravity spacecraft and undergoes adventures among its denizens." - Locke, Voyages in Space 136. "Clearly influenced Wells, but also a precursor of E. R. Burroughs." - Suvin, Victorian Science Fiction in the UK, p. 38-9. "Literate, but diffuse, and weakly plotted. If condensed, it would be one of the better of the interplanetaries of the day." - Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 1390. "MR. STRANGER'S SEALED PACKET is not a particularly exciting adventure story, but the fact that it is an adventure story and nothing more places it at the head of what was ultimately to become a solid if not very prolific tradition of British interplanetary romances virtually devoid of any Utopian impulse." - Stableford, New Atlantis II, pp. 172-3. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-690. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 146. Locke, Voyages in Space (2011) V 449. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 81. Bleiler (1978), p. 129. Reginald 09418. Early owner's signature dated July 1889 at top fore-edge corner on the verso of the title leaf. Spine lean (common to this book), spine panel just a bit darkened, pink on spine faded, 20 mm closed tear along lower outer front joint, a clean, tight, very good copy. A superior copy a very scarce book rarely found in decent condition. Truly stunning condition for this book, the second best copy we have seen. (#165856)
  • Bookseller L. W. Currey, Inc. US (US)
  • Book Condition Used
  • Quantity Available 1
  • Publisher Chatto & Windus
  • Place of Publication London
  • Date Published 1889
  • Keywords Interplanetary Fiction; Life on Other Worlds; Utopian Literature; Victorian Fiction

We have 1 copies available starting at £682.55.

Mr. Stranger’s Sealed Packet.
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Mr. Stranger’s Sealed Packet.

by MacColl, Hugh

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Pages quite toned and becoming brittle, otherwise very good in a nice binding.
Edition
1st U.S. edition.
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£682.55

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Description:
New York.: George Munro. , No date, circa 1890 . 1st U.S. edition.. Old half red leather over gray cloth, gilt spine title. . Pages quite toned and becoming brittle, otherwise very good in a nice binding.. 18.7x12.2 cm. . An important early science fiction novel, first published in London by Chatto & Windus. This is the very scarce New York edition of a tale of a journey to Mars and its utopian culture. Preserved in a nice older custom binding. weight: 0.8 lb.
Item Price
£682.55