#12 in the Tom Swift Jr. series. Grosset and Dunlap picture cover publication. Copyright 1958. Printed in 1961, the only year the blue spines (the first picture covers) were published. Author "Victor Appleton II." Victor Appleton the first was the Stratemeyer Syndicate pen name for the initial Tom Swift series. Very good book with sturdy spine and hinges. Dollar box at right upper corner. Blue and white space lab endpapers. Gift inscription on front free endpaper, but no other writing/markings. See pictures, there's some edgewear and corner wear, as well as sticker removal residue on the back cover, top right. Bottom page block has some storage smudge. In this one, Tom develops the Challenger craft, a high-speed solar-powered gyroscopic aircraft that can reach the moon in a few hours; this craft is also used by him in some of the subsequent books. Note to New York state residents: an 8.75% sales tax is applicable. (TSC12)