Description

“DON’T PANIC!”: THE HITCH HIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, SIGNED BY DOUGLAS ADAMS
ADAMS, Douglas. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. London, 1979. Octavo, original blue cloth, dust jacket.

First hardcover edition of the first book in Adams’ popular “trilogy in five parts,” boldly signed by the author on the title page. A fine copy.

Adams’ cosmic comedy originated as a 1978 BBC radio serial. “The series was an overnight success and rescued Adams from the life of a struggling comedy sketch writer. It spawned a television show, five books and other spin-offs,” including a major motion picture in 2005 (The Guardian). Pan Books published the first edition of the book based on the radio scripts in paperback in late 1979; Arthur Barker published this, the first hardcover edition, in February 1980 (Simpson, 131). Copies of this title signed by Adams have become increasingly scarce. Dust jacket later issue, with price on front flap and advertisement on rear panel. Dust jacket with only slight toning to flaps. Book fine. A fine signed copy, elusive and desirable.