Ballantine, New York, March 1970, 1^st pr thus.  ISBN 0-345-01881-8.  MMPB, 248 pages.  Good; wraps show edge and cover wear, rubs and light reading creases, age-toning.  Binding sound with a slight lean.  Interior clean and unmarked with tanned pages; inside covers browning with age spotting.  ‘Helva is a woman’s brain housed in the body of a ship:  Helva is neither human, nor a ship:  Helva is both human and machine:  Helva is entirely feminine:  (And so much stronger than any male born that there isn’t even a comparison):  Helva is complex, loving, strong, weak, gentle, savage:  Helva is a swinging gal.’ (from rear wrap)