Дорога в космос. [Road to Space].

First edition of this autobiographical account by the first man in space, a cosmonaut’s early life, aviation training, and historic 1961 mission aboard Vostok 1. Octavo, written in Russian, original publisher's boards with titles and stars in silver, frontispiece, illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, translated it reads in full, "To Valentina Grigorievna, in memory of our meetings at the airfield on March 29, 1962. With respect, Gagarin 29.03.62." In very good condition. Books signed and inscribed by Gagarin are rare.