ADAMS, Douglas

The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy [HG2G signed]

(Pan Books, London), c.1985

HITCH HIKER'S GUIDE SIGNED TO THE TITLE-PAGE

4 vols, paperback, 115 x 183 x 55mm; various paginations.

A very attractive set of the famous Pan edition with the famous four-part mosaic cover art, featuring original artwork by Chris Foss (the sneaker spaceship), and Douglas Adams' "Apple computer self portrait". The first volume signed by Douglas Adams to the title-page.

The Hitch Hiker's Guide began life as a radio series, debuting on 8 March 1978 and running for six episodes that spring. ("Hitchhiker's" was Adams' preferred spelling, but here the title is "Hitch Hiker's", a usage we will follow in this description.) In spite of its huge early success, the BBC did not pursue the publishing rights, which were acquired for £3,000 by the paperback publisher Pan Books. The novel was published on 12 October 1979, with distinctive cover art by Hipgnosis. By this time a second radio series had aired and The Hitch Hiker's Guide was a sensation.

The fourth volume, So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish, was issued in 1984 by Pan, with the first paperback edition appearing a year later. The present set was likely issued soon after, perhaps in 1985, though Pan reprints are not dated. In any case the set must predate Mostly Harmless, which was published in 1992. All volumes are later printings, but the box set is scarce, and any signed copies of HG2G are becoming so.

Good condition: the signed HG2G is in very good condition, noting only some spine wear; other volumes slightly worn but very presentable; the box with shelfwear and some delamination to the top; slightly tight-fitting but a very pleasing set with the signature an additional hidden 'surprise'.