#9 in the Tom Swift Jr. series. Grosset and Dunlap hardcover publication. Copyright 1956. Print year estimate is late 1958, based on publication dates of #12 Race to the Moon (1958), the last title on the rear jacket flap, and of #13 Space Solartron (1958), the last title on the internal book list. Author "Victor Appleton II." Victor Appleton the first was the Stratemeyer Syndicate pen name for the initial Tom Swift series. Very good blue tweed book. Sturdy spine and hinges with no tracking at the hinges. Blue and white space lab endpapers. "100100" designation on upper right corner of dust jacket front flap. No writing/markings. Overall pretty good dust jacket with some chipping, mostly at spine top and bottom, but it has a significantly worn front jacket fold line. In this one, Tom develops one of his most ingenious inventions, the atmosphere-making machine, with which he manages to make a livable space for earthlings on a lifeless asteroid. This machine expels oxygen and nitrogen, and keeps the gases from dispersing in gravity-free conditions. Note to New York state residents: an 8.75% sales tax is applicable. (TSB9)