London: Heinemann, 1988

8vo, pp. 246. Original grey boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Illustrated dust jacket, photographic portrait of the author to rear flap. Light age-toning to text block, otherwise a near fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with just a little wear to top edge.

First edition, INSCRIBED BY DOUGLAS ADAMS TO HIS PUBLISHER'S DAUGHTER: 'For Sophie with thanks for the loan of your Mum! Love Douglas'. The recipient was Sophie Meyer, whose mother, Sue Freestone, was publishing director at Heinemann -- and determined midwife to Adams' books. Adams famously suffered from writer's block, and Freestone was known on occasion to move in to Adams' house to keep him to a deadline.