Philip Reeve; Railhead, Black Light Express and Station Zero; Signed and remarqued limited editions numbered 20/20

A highly desirable limited set of Philip Reeve’s Railhead trilogy, comprising all three first editions, each copy signed and distinctly enhanced by the author. Issued in a limitation of just 20 hand-numbered copies, with all volumes here numbered 20/20 (the final number in the sequence), the set is further distinguished by original pen illustrations in two volumes and additional signed inscription and stamped embellishment in the third. Combining Reeve’s imaginative science fiction with uniquely individualised copies, this is a particularly attractive collector’s issue of one of his most inventive and original series.

Philip Reeve’s Railhead series is a fast-paced work of science fiction for younger readers, set in a vast interstellar network linked by sentient trains that travel between worlds via the mysterious K-gates. The sequence follows Zen Starling, a small-time thief drawn into a far larger conspiracy involving artificial intelligences, ancient technology and the hidden structures of a galaxy-spanning civilisation. Combining elements of space opera with Reeve’s trademark inventiveness, the books create a richly imagined universe in which railways, rather than spacecraft, form the backbone of interplanetary travel.

Across the trilogy – Railhead (2015), Black Light Express (2016) and Station Zero (2017) – Reeve explores themes of identity, control and the relationship between humans and machines, particularly through the presence of powerful and enigmatic AIs known as “Guardians”. The series is noted for its originality, energetic storytelling and striking conceptual world-building, offering a distinctive variation on modern science fiction that retains the accessibility and narrative drive characteristic of Reeve’s work.

Comprising:

Railhead, 2015; Signed by Reeve to the first free endpaper alongside a good size original pen illustration and hand numbered 20/20; 

Black Light Express, 2016; Signed by Reeve to the first free endpaper alongside a good size original pen illustration and hand numbered 20/20; and;

Station Zero, 2018; signed by Reeve to the title page, with ink stamp, "Maximum Power" signed quotation, and date of "21st May 2018".

Published by Oxford University Press. This set limited to 20 hand numbered copies only, and all copies numbered 20/20, the desirable 'last number' in the series. All first editions, first impressions, 2015-2018.

All fine hardbacks featuring ribbed cloth design with metallic decals. All with fine dustjackets. All look to be unread. Vertical text block edges sprayed with books' titles.

Text in English.

Dimensions: each volume approx 218mm high x 156mm wide x 30mm deep.

Weight: approximately 1.4kg (the set - unpacked).