A GNOME THERE WAS AND OTHER TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-276 [277-280: blank], original red boards, front and spine panels stamped in silver. First edition. Presentation copy warmly inscribed and signed by Kuttner as "Hank ("Lewis Padgett")" to Virgil Finlay and his family. Kuttner and Moore's first collection of short fiction. Collects eleven short stories, including several classics: "The Twonky" and "Mimsy Were the Borogroves." All but two stories are reprinted from 1940s issues of ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION and UNKNOWN where Kuttner was a major star of the time under his own name and as "Lewis Padgett," often in collaboration with his wife, C. L. Moore. "Today ... Kuttner's reputation rests primarily on the literate and sophisticated stories he and Moore wrote for John W. Campbell's ASTOUNDING STORIES during the 1940s ..." - Gunn (ed), The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, p. 261. A major collection of 1940s fantastic fiction. [Reference: Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1273]. Bookplate of Virgil and Beverly Finlay affixed to front paste down, lower extremities a little bruised, a fine copy in a fine dust jacket with a touch of rubbing. Publisher's review slip laid in. Kuttner died in 1957 and books inscribed or autographed by him are uncommon. (31234). Item #31234
Price: $3,500.00