THE HIGH FRONTIER: Human Colonies in Space

A Classic Of Retrofuturism

THE HIGH FRONTIER: Human Colonies in Space

By Gerard K. O'Neill

1977

Rare inscribed first edition of the particle physicist's exposition of his famous solution to the housing shortage and the climate crisis: energy-saving space colonies, conveniently parked between Earth and the Moon.

Very good in very good jacket.

Price: $1,250.00

THE HIGH FRONTIER: Human Colonies in Space

"By the 1990s ten thousand people of various nationalities may be living and working in space in communities equidistant from the earth and the moon."

O'Neill's proposal for human space colonies involved a series of cylinders suspended between the earth and moon at a point called LaGrange Point 5. Presented as a way to combat environmental degradation, his iconic designs (reproduced here) have gone on to have a much larger influence on many filmmakers and writers. As writer David Pescovitz wrote of HIGH FRONTIER, it "captures the wonder and sense of possibility that permeated our culture after the first moon landing and into the 1970s." The first printing of this, his landmark book, is uncommon, and it is rare signed — especially in the year of publication.

Read more: David Pescovitz, "One Man's Incredible Plan for Humanity to Migrate Into Space," Boing Boing.

The Object

First printing. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc, 1977. 8'' x 5.5''. Original quarter blue cloth with black boards. Tiffany blue endpapers. In original unclipped ($8.95) dust jacket by Rick Giudice. Illustrated with black and white plates. 288 pages. Inscribed by the author on the half title: "With very best wishes to Eugenia Fernandez, and hopes that Brazil may join in the thrust toward the high frontier. — Gerard K. O'Neill 3/1/77." Minor wear and toning to jacket. Small closed tear to lower edge rear spine fold with tape repair to verso. Some sunning to edges of book, a few pages slightly dog-eared. Else clean and sound.

The Fine Print

We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.

We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.

All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.

All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Ground Advantage. International orders over $1000 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.

International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.

We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.

If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.

Add to Cart Ask a Question Add to Wish List

More by Gerard K. O'Neill