MILLS-MALET, Vincent. The Meteoric Benson: A Romance of Actuality
MILLS-MALET, Vincent. The Meteoric Benson: A Romance of Actuality. London: Stanley Paul. n.d., 1912. 8vo. First edition, and only. Publisher’s blue cloth with dark blue ruling and embossed lettering to front board, gilt lettering to spine. Bottom edge untrimmed. 320pp, 48pp catalogue to rear. The first edition of this scarce science fantasy title about the invention and usage of the ‘areostat’—an early helicopter, as it frightens the Germans, and eventually the world, into world peace. In the author’s foreword, he highlights Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German emperor, as Benson’s antagonist. “In his capacity of war-lord he advocates and glorifies armaments”. The overall objective of the novel appears to be to promote peace, and the scientific accuracy appears inconsequential; ‘Benson is a dreamer, not a mathematician’. A very good example, the corners and spine tips gently bumped and rubbed, the binding tight with a gentle roll. Some spots to the textblock edges. Gilt to spine a trifle dulled. Internally, light offsetting to endpapers, occasionally spotted throughout. Ink ownership inscription to front endpaper, with curious inscription below which may well be the author’s own hand. Scarce.
MILLS-MALET, Vincent. The Meteoric Benson: A Romance of Actuality. London: Stanley Paul. n.d., 1912. 8vo. First edition, and only. Publisher’s blue cloth with dark blue ruling and embossed lettering to front board, gilt lettering to spine. Bottom edge untrimmed. 320pp, 48pp catalogue to rear. The first edition of this scarce science fantasy title about the invention and usage of the ‘areostat’—an early helicopter, as it frightens the Germans, and eventually the world, into world peace. In the author’s foreword, he highlights Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German emperor, as Benson’s antagonist. “In his capacity of war-lord he advocates and glorifies armaments”. The overall objective of the novel appears to be to promote peace, and the scientific accuracy appears inconsequential; ‘Benson is a dreamer, not a mathematician’. A very good example, the corners and spine tips gently bumped and rubbed, the binding tight with a gentle roll. Some spots to the textblock edges. Gilt to spine a trifle dulled. Internally, light offsetting to endpapers, occasionally spotted throughout. Ink ownership inscription to front endpaper, with curious inscription below which may well be the author’s own hand. Scarce.
MILLS-MALET, Vincent. The Meteoric Benson: A Romance of Actuality. London: Stanley Paul. n.d., 1912. 8vo. First edition, and only. Publisher’s blue cloth with dark blue ruling and embossed lettering to front board, gilt lettering to spine. Bottom edge untrimmed. 320pp, 48pp catalogue to rear. The first edition of this scarce science fantasy title about the invention and usage of the ‘areostat’—an early helicopter, as it frightens the Germans, and eventually the world, into world peace. In the author’s foreword, he highlights Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German emperor, as Benson’s antagonist. “In his capacity of war-lord he advocates and glorifies armaments”. The overall objective of the novel appears to be to promote peace, and the scientific accuracy appears inconsequential; ‘Benson is a dreamer, not a mathematician’. A very good example, the corners and spine tips gently bumped and rubbed, the binding tight with a gentle roll. Some spots to the textblock edges. Gilt to spine a trifle dulled. Internally, light offsetting to endpapers, occasionally spotted throughout. Ink ownership inscription to front endpaper, with curious inscription below which may well be the author’s own hand. Scarce.