The Sirens of Titan – Kurt Vonnegut

VONNEGUT, Kurt. The Sirens of Titan. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1961.

First Edition, First Printing (thus). Dust jacket unclipped, chipped and worn a bit, but intact. Near Fine book, Very Good Minus jacket.

First hardcover edition of Vonnegut’s second novel. A notably scarce issue, following the Dell paperback original and published in a reported small print run. Octavo (8.25 × 5 in). 319 pp. Publisher’s dark blue/black cloth (or paper-covered boards) stamped in white on spine and front board.

In the original, unclipped dust jacket showing original price “$3.50,” with the statement “Previously published as an original paperback book by Dell Publishing Co., Inc.” present on the front flap.

Binding with light edgewear, gently faded at head, front hinge showing a minor split but holding firm, previous ownership embossed stamp at bottom right corner of title page. Jacket with typical sunning to the spine panel, mild toning to edges, and light rubbing and wear at extremities, small chips and short tears to corners, closed tear at top front flap approximately one inch, and horizontal browning visible on both the rear panel of the jacket and two spots on the front free endpaper. Overall a Very Good, unrestored example.

Vonnegut’s first Hugo-nominated novel and his earliest work to achieve lasting cult status. The hardcover issue remains elusive in collectible condition.

(Currey p. 503; Pieratt, Huffman-Klinkowitz & Klinkowitz AB2, p. 17; Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy.)