Araminta Station by Jack Vance (John Holbrook), Book #1 of the Cadwal Chronicles, dustjacket art by Vincent Di Fate
ISBN: 0-88733-059-2
Published by arrangement with Tor Books in 1987 by Underwood-Miller, Los Angeles, CA and Columbia, PA.
First and deluxe limited edition (trade edition also published in 1987 by Tor Books), one of 500 copies, numbered and signed by the author, this being #261. Bound in white faux leather with matching slipcase, turquoise blue foil stamp on the spine, matching blue marbled end papers, long life acid free paper, smyth sewn, 458pp.
Suitable for gifting, condition is excellent as described above. Minor flaws consist of a mild area of discoloration at the bottom of the text block and very minor sagging of the text block. See photos for more information.
About the book (from the Jack Vance website):
Summary
At the remote end of Mircea's Wisp, far out on the galaxy's Perseid Arm, is the Purple Rose System- containing the three stars Lorca, Sing and Syrene. Around Syrene swings the spectacular planet Cadwal, which the now defunct Naturalist Society of Earth long ago chartered to forever protect from exploitation. Cadwal is administered from Araminta Station- where young Glawen Clattuc wonders what the future may hold for him in the hierarchic, constrained society of Cadwal. His budding relationship with the lovely Sessily Veder ends with her mysterious disappearance- casting Glawen into a strange adventure, and the unraveling of a potent conspiracy.
The Cadwal Chronicles
Araminta Station is part 1 of 3 of The Cadwal Chronicles
Cadwal is a planet of extraordinary beauty. To protect it, the "Naturalist Society" has set up a Charter which allows only limited settlement on the planet in order to enforce the laws of the Conservancy. These laws forbid extensive human habitations, mining and other exploitation activities. Only six "Agents" and their staff are allowed to reside permanently on the planet: their main function is to prevent other humans from establishing residence, although tourists are allowed in specially designed lodges, overlooking sites of natural beauty and interest.