I, ROBOT.
New York: Gnome Press, Inc., Publishers, [1950]. Octavo, cover illustration by Edd Cartier, cloth. First edition. Inscribed and signed by Asimov to an early and longtime fan. "For: / William / Benthake / Hope you like it! / 12/3/50 Isaac Asimov." Also signed by artist Edd Cartier in the book and on the jacket flap. Also signed on the copyright page by Gnome Press co-founder David Kyle; "BILL! / BEST WISHES FROM / THE ORIGINAL GNOME! / Dave Kyle." Bill Benthake (1918-1994) was a longtime fan who attended science fiction conventions and was involved in the Fantasy Amateur Press Association. Certainly, an early published copy with wonderful signatures. Influential collection of short fiction about robots with first postulation of the "Three Laws of Robotics," a concept used for plots in numerous tales by other writers in subsequent years. Includes "The Evitable Conflict." in which machines that have made the world of the twenty-first century an economic utopia take control of Mankind's future, moving it "toward an unknown and happy destiny." - Berger, Science Fiction and the New Dark Age, pp. 36-7. Loose basis for the recent film of the same title. [Reference: Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-49. Survey of Science Fiction Literature II, pp. 995-99]. A fine copy in a bright, fine dust jacket with a tiny closed tear and crease to the upper front panel and just a touch of shelf wear. A superb copy. Now housed in a custom clamshell box. (36188). Item #36188
Price: $45,000.00