London: BBC, 1979

8vo, pp. 178. Original tan boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Illustrated dustwrapper, author's photographic portrait to rear panel. A near fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper with just the lightest of edgewear.

First edition, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO THE ACTOR LEO McKERN TO TITLE PAGE: 'For Leo in friendship, Nigel Calder'. WITH THE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION CARD TO McKERN, ON CALDER'S PRINTED STATIONERY, TIPPED IN.

Einstein's Universe was published to accompany the transmission of the BBC documentary of the same name on 14 March 1979 -- the 100th anniversary of Einstein's birth. Calder was the programme's leading contributor; the director was Martin Freeth.

Two years later, Calder wrote The Comet Is Coming!, again for the BBC, for which Leo McKern provided the voice of Halley's comet. Calder presented him with this book as a thank-you for his work on the show, with the accompanying card, dated 19 February 1981, which reads:

'Dear Leo, I can't tell you how much I appreciated your performance -- and your patience! -- at Ealing last week, and I'm sure I can speak for [director] Martin Freeth too. Looking forward to the final dub, and seeing you then. Yours, Nigel'.

A near fine copy, and an excellent association.