Childhood's End
Childhood's End is Arthur C. Clarke's science fiction novel, first published by Ballantine Books in New York in 1953, with Sidgwick & Jackson issuing the London edition in 1954. Alien Overlords take quiet control of Earth, bringing peace at a cost to human culture.
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- Ballantine Books, 1953
- First published
- Ballantine Books, New York, 1953
- First UK edition
- Sidgwick & Jackson, 1954
- Worth
- Not yet valued
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Ballantine Books1953 Hardback Not yet valued Log in to want this
Later and other editions
- Sidgwick & Jackson1954 Hardback Not yet valued Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
On screen
- Childhood's End Television
From Wikidata. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
More by Arthur C. Clarke
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Know what you are looking at
How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
Read the guide →6 min readBook Condition Grading: Fine to Poor Explained
Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
Read the guide →7 min readDust Jackets Explained: Why the Jacket Drives a Book's Value
For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of Childhood's End?
The first edition of Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke was published in New York by Ballantine Books in 1953.
How many editions of Childhood's End are there?
We track 2 editions of Childhood's End, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Has Childhood's End been adapted for film or television?
Yes, including Childhood's End (television).
How can I tell if my copy of Childhood's End is a first edition?
Check the title page and its reverse (the copyright page) against the edition: publisher, place and date should match, with no later printing or edition stated. Where we know the issue points, they are listed on the edition's page.
Where these facts come from
- Childhood's End, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Childhood's End, SF and Fantasy UK (sfandfantasy.co.uk)
- Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood's End, First UK Edition 1954, John Atkinson Books (johnatkinsonbooks.co.uk)
- Arthur C Clarke, Childhood's End, Cheltenham Rare Books (cheltenhamrarebooks.co.uk)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 17 October 2026.