First UK hardback edition (previously published in the USA in paperback; an earlier version of the story appeared in magazine format in 1958). 172pp. Deep red cloth boards, gilt lettering to spine. 8vo. Cloth very slightly rubbed at corners and spine ends else neat, clean, bright and tight throughout. In its original illustrated dust wrapper, not price clipped. a little rubbed, gently bumped at edges, slightly shelf worn. Dust wrapper now protected in an archival-quality Mylar sleeve, fitted without the use of tape or adhesives.
Fritz Leiber (died 1992) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. Heavily influenced by H P Lovecraft, he also followed the work of Carl Jung and his writing increasingly explored the ideas of anima and the shadow. The Big Time was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1958; it is renown for having a very few characters but a vast cosmic backstory.
