Ralph 124C 41+.

GERNSBACK, Hugo.

$7,500.00

Item Number: 108026

Boston: The Stratford Company, 1925.

First edition of “arguably the first major work of American science fiction” (The Economist). Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “With the compliments of the author H Gernsback 1925.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Bookplate on the front pastedown.

"In 1908 Gernsberg established 'Modern Electrics,' a radio catalog that rapidly became a monthly magazine; one of its editorials was instrumental in establishing the Wireless Act of 1912. In April 1911 'Modern Electrics' began serializing Gernsback's Ralph 124C 41 , written to exemplify his contention that fiction could serve to teach science... Thoroughly deficient as fiction, the story nevertheless predicts radar, microfilm and microfiche, tape recorders, television, wireless transmission of power, planet hormones, and weather control" (American National Biography).