The Dark is Rising Series: Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; Silver on the Tree

New York: Harcourt, Brace & World; Atheneum, 1977. First editions, first printings. Hardcover. Near fine. First U.S. edition, first printing, of the first title; true first editions, first printings of the remaining titles. Although the author moved to the United States in 1963, the 1965 London edition of 'Over Sea, Under Stone' is generally considered the true first; thereafter the U.S. Atheneum editions of the remaining four books in the series are considered the true firsts.

"Over Sea, Under Stone" is fine and bright; the dustwrapper is not price-clipped and has a tiny closed marginal tear on the rear panel else it is fine as well. "The Dark is Rising" has a tiny bit of spotting on the edge of the textblock , else is in fine condition; the dustwrapper is not price-clipped,but has a short closed marginal tear on the front panel; it is first state without the Newbery Honor sticker. "Greenwitch" is fine in a fine, unclipped dustwrapper. "The Grey King" is fine in green printed cloth; the dustwrapper is not price-clipped and is in fine condition, and is first state without the Newbery Medal sticker. "Silver on the Tree" has a trace of spotting on the top edge else is fine; the dustwrapper is not price clipped and is fine. Overall this is as fine a set of the 'Dark is Rising' Series as can be obtained.

Laid into the first volume is a photograph of Susan Cooper inscribed "To Gretchen -- best regards, Susan". And, in a different hand (Gretchenb's?), "Minneapolis, May 1977."

Contemporary Arthurian fantasy and the struggle between The Light and The Dark. "The Grey King" was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1976, and "The Dark is Rising" a Newbery Honor in 1974.