Asimov, Isaac (1951-53) ‘Foundation’ trilogy, US signed first editions with original signed letter

Isaac Asimov (1951-53) ‘Foundation‘ trilogy, US first editions, first printings, published by Gnome Press. The set is comprised of:

• ‘Foundation‘ (1951), CURREY (A) Dark blue cloth with red lettering on spine. Galaxy on front cover. Words on spine horizontal. Boards are 21 cm high. Sheets measure 20.3 x 13.5 cm and are 1.9 cm across the top. Spaceships colored blue on front cover. Rear flaps feature Journey to Infinity and Typewriter in the Sky and Fear. Back cover: 3 titles plus forthcoming Fantasy Calendar for 1952. Gnome Press address given as 80 East 11th Street, N. Y. 3                       Condition: a near fine book with one tasteful sci-fi themed bookplate on the front pastedown as shown. Internally absolutely clean. Light shelf wear only. The dust jacket is good with edge wear including minor chips and tape repairs on the reverse as shown.
• ‘Foundation and Empire‘ (1952), Currey (A) Red boards with black lettering lettering on spine. Released 1952. Galaxy symbol on front boards. “Gnome Press” on spine measures 2.2 cm across, sheets bulk 1.8 cm. Four-color cover with “A new science fiction novel by ISAAC ASIMOV” across front cover. Front flap says GNOME PRESS/NEW YORK. Back cover: Rear flap has DON’T MISS THE FIRST BOOK! printed in red. Gnome Press address given as 80 East 11th Street, N. Y. 3                                                                                                                                                                                             Condition: a fine book in a near fine dust jacket. The book is spotless with just a little rubbing to the bottom edges of the boards from sliding in and out of the shelf. The dust jacket is very nice indeed with only a trifle of edge creases on the tips of the spine. Hard to find in such beautiful condition.
• ‘Second Foundation‘ (1953), CURREY (B) green boards with black lettering on spine. First state dust jacket with 25 titles on the back panel. Gnome Press address given as 80 East 11th Street, N. Y. 3.                                                                    Condition: a fine book, internally spotless with the spine tips just a little pushed. Near fine dust jacket with one small chip to top spine and monor edge wear.
• Also, an original typed letter signed by hand as ‘Isaac’. Typed on Asimov’s personal stationary with his New York address at the top, dated 26 September 1978 with corresponding envelope. The letter gives his fellow scientist, admirer and frind Mr Russell bad news about the publisher’s Doubleday rejection of Mr Russell’s debut novel. In fine condition with the usial central fold to fit the envelope and minor signs of handling.

A landmark science fiction series for which Asimov is best remembered alongside ‘I, Robot’. The ‘Foundation’ trilogy won the special 1966 Hugo as best series of all-time beating Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy to Asimov’s own astonishment. Basis of the 2021 Apple TV-series.