Another edition's cover
Cover of another edition of this book. The Magnum Books 1982 cover has not been photographed yet.
Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 30 Oct 2026.
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Simak's novel was first published in book form in the United States by Gnome Press in 1950, and no British edition appeared until 1982. The first UK edition is a small-format Magnum Books paperback (Magnum being a Methuen imprint), London 1982, ISBN 0-417-05730-X, 159 pages, 18 cm, with a wrap-around cover painting by Chris Moore. The first British hardback followed from Severn House, London, in 1985 (ISBN 0-7278-1208-4, 159 pages, 21 cm); its library record cites the earlier Magnum issue, so the Severn House book is the first UK hardback, not the first UK edition. An Orion (Gollancz) edition appeared in 2011.
We have not yet confirmed the issue points that tell this first impression from later ones. Until we do, compare your copy's title page and copyright page with the publisher, place and year above: any later printing or edition statement means it is not this one.
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The cover image shows this book but may not be this edition or printing.
Magnum Books, London, in 1982, in paperback.
Points of issue are listed only where at least two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 30 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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