"DON'T PANIC!": THE HITCH HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

ADAMS, Douglas. The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. London: Arthur Barker, (1979). Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $1850.

First hardcover edition of the first book in Adams' popular "trilogy in five parts."

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). Dust jacket first issue, with price on front flap and advertisement on rear panel.

Only some very light staining to text block front edge, otherwise fine in a fine dust jacket.