GOOD CONDITION

This sale is for a vintage hardback edition entitled “The Death of Grass,” by John Christopher, pseudonym of English author Sam Youd (1922-2012)

It was published by Pergamon Press Ltd., of Oxford, London, etc., and is the 1969 FIRST PRINTING (stated) in the “Pergamon English Library” series (the FIRST EDITION was published by Michael Joseph Ltd., in 1956).

The Death of Grass is a 1956 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel written by the English author Sam Youd under the pen name John Christopher. The plot concerns a virus that kills rice crops in Asia, and eventually mutates to kill off all of the grasses, including cereal grasses such as wheat crops along with most farm animals, thus devastating Asia and Europe of food to sustain humanity, while Australasia and the Americas attempt to impose rigorous quarantine to keep the virus out.

The novel follows the struggles of engineer John Custance, his friend, civil servant Roger Buckley, who with a gun shop owner named Pirrie, along with their families, make their way across an England which is rapidly descending into anarchy, as many morals are sacrificed in the struggle to stay alive.

The Death of Grass was released, a year after the original British edition, in the US as No Blade of Grass, and was the first of several post-apocalyptic novels written under the pseudonym John Christopher, including heavier-themed adult novels as well and several young adult dystopian novels.  John Christopher was his most famous writing name (twenty-eight novels), but in all Sam Youd had fifty-six published novels as well as numerous short stories, under his own name as well as seven other different pen-names (in addition to John Christopher).

The book measures 8 inches x 5.25 inches and has 231 pages. 

The book is in good, neat condition for its age, with wear/scuffs and is grubby/faded to the original hardback cover, with a previous owner’s signature at the front, a small erased mark on the copyright page, light foxing near the covers/rims, and no other ink or pencil markings in the book. The binding is good with no loose or missing pages.  There is no dust-jacket.

A wonderful vintage edition.

COMBINED POSTAGE - ALL BIDDERS: We offer 20% off the total postage & packing/‘shipping’ for additional items after the cost of the heaviest book – please wait for a combined invoice.

Please click on “View Sellers Other Items” towards the top right hand side of this page for other vintage editions. 

Buyer to pay postage & packing

For UK Postage: 2nd Class/Parcels = £2.95;

or 1st Class = £3.90

European Union Postage: = 6.95 GB Pounds

USA Postage: Air Mail (USA) = 13.45 GB Pounds

Rest of the World Postage: Air Mail (Anywhere else in the World) = 10.70 GB Pounds

Surface Mail (Anywhere in the World) = 13.20 GB Pounds

Unwinsbooks have held down shipping prices from 2013-2020 in spite of small increases in postage costs.  However, Royal Mail Prices dramatically changed on 1 July 2020, as a result of exceptional cost increases outside of their control, so we are reluctantly having to pass on pricing increases for parcels being sent overseas (primarily USA, New Zealand, Australia and the Rest of the World). 

These costs are a direct result of: 

• An increase of more than 100% in the fees the US Postal Service (USPS) charges for the delivery of international mail.

• Securing air freight at inflated market costs due to a 95% reduction in air passenger flights globally. This has not affected domestic or postage within the EU.

“Royal Mail, always aim to deliver the best value international services. We fully recognise that these changes are significant. This was a decision we reluctantly took but is necessary in view of the increased costs borne by Royal Mail.”

If the Royal Mail reduce their charges in the future (in particular what they term “Temporary Air Carrier Supplement Pricing”) unwinsbooks will reduce the international costs accordingly.

Unwinsbooks always obtain a proof of postage receipt from the Royal Mail.  Packages over Royal Mail size rules may be sent by courier (customer will be informed).

Goods will be WELL PACKAGED by Unwins Books and dispatched once payment has cleared.

PAYMENT FOR UK BIDDERS: By Paypal, UK cheque, or postal order. 

POSTAGE UK BIDDERS:  If you require registered post - "sign for" - then this will be an extra £1.10 per package (UK purchasers only).

PAYMENT FOR OVERSEAS BIDDERS: By Paypal Only.  Sorry, but overseas (non UK) personal checks and International Money Orders are NOT accepted due to huge bank charges.

POSTAGE OVERSEAS BIDDERS:  Please note that Surface Mail is very slow (6 to 12 weeks).