Saturday, June 19, 2010

1952 copy of The Sands of Mars has limerick penned by Arthur C. Clarke

Between the Covers, a rare book dealer located in New Jersey, has an interesting early copy of Arthur C. Clarke’s novel The Sands of Mars (New York: Gnome Press, 1952) for sale over at AbeBooks:

"Inscribed by Arthur C. Clarke to his protege, one-time secretary and longtime friend Ian Macauley [...]: To Ian, looking forward to our next meeting. Arthur C. Clarke, Indian Lake, May 1952. Additionally, on the rear free endpaper Clarke has penned a limerick: There was a young girl of Devizes / Who was haled up before the assizes / For teaching young boys / Matrimonial joys / and offering French letters as prizes. -- Written under protest because Ian wouldn't pay for the book otherwise. Art."

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