Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Asimov, Isaac. Second Foundation. Gnome Press Publishers, New York, 1951.
Price: US$7500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing SIGNED by Asimov on a laid in signature. A stunning dustjacket that looks about new with no chips or pieces missing. This original dustjacket is vibrant in color and is seldom seen in this nice condition. The book is in excellent condition. The binding is tight, and the boards are crisp with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean. There is no writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a beautiful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION SIGNED by the author. We buy Asimov First Editions.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
Price: US$8360.80 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Isaac Asimov (1951-53) Foundation trilogy, US first editions, first printings, all first state, 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 no bookplates, no previous owners scribbles, no stamps. Internally absolutely clean. Light shelf wear only which includes rubbing to the bottom board edges from sliding in and out of shelf. The dust jacket is very good with some rubbing to folds and small chipping to spine tips. 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 DONT MISS THE FIRST BOOK! printed in red. Gnome Press address given as 80 East 11th Street, N. Y. 3 Condition: a near fine book in a very good 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 good with NO spine fade to the spine. Light edge wear to folds. Second Foundation (1953), CURREY (A) blue 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 near fine book, internally spotless with the usual light rubbing to the boards bottom edges. Fine dust jacket with nothing major to report. Also, an original typed letter signed by Isaac Asimov. One page, 4to, New York, 15th January 1949, to Erle Korshak of Shasta Publishers. One of the earliest Asimov letters we have seen with great content revealing the business nature and wit of the author. Asimov acknowledges receipt of his correspondents letter, which he has read carefully, and remarks The notion of an annual anthology of the best of science fiction is a good one, and the continuing and growing market for hard-cover science-fiction is something that cannot help but be pleasant for an author, further adding Three of my stories have already been anthologized, and $25 establishes a record low as far as money returns are concerned rather easily, I might add so that I cannot help but hope that the larger publishing houses go on to express even more than mere interest and also discussing the structure of fees in the release form that Korshak had sent him, I notice that if Shasta publishes the story, then I get $25 for each reprint i.e. 10 reprints, $250. If, however, someone other than Shasta, (say Simon & Schuster or Macmillan) publishes the story, then I get $25 altogether, i.e. 10 reprints, $25. This seems to follow the principle of Them ez hez most money; pays least. Is that constitutional? Furthermore, the second paragraph says that an outside publisher will pay as much as Shasta can squeeze out of them, but in no case less than $25. The third paragraph, however, seems to commit me to accept $25 flat with no qualifying statement that it might conceivably be more. Being the worlds poorest contract lawyer, these are probably silly points I am trying to make, but I would enjoy enlightenment. Annotated in initialled by Korshak to the upper left corner, indicating that he replied to Asimov on 17th January 1949. Beautiful. First and Fine
Seller: First and Fine, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Asimov, Isaac. Foundation. Gnome Press, New York, 1951.
Price: US$9000.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing with the words "FIRST EDITION" printed on the copyright page. A stunning copy SIGNED by Isaac Asimov on a laid in signature. This ORIGINAL dustjacket is vibrant in color with NO chips or pieces missing. The book is in great shape. The binding is tight and the boards are crisp. The pages are exceptionally clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A superb copy SIGNED by the author.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
Price: US$11895.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: *SIGNED* FOUNDATION, FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE, SECOND FOUNDATION.FINE/NEAR FINE FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTINGS W. ORIGINAL FIRST PRINTING, FIRST STATE DUST JACKETS.Gnome Press, New York, 1951, 1952, and 1953 FIRST STATE of the First Edition, First Printings A superb set of Fine/Near Fine, clean crisp books, in Fine/Near Fine dust jackets, Boldly signed with a laid in signature. Gnome Press, New York, 1951, 1952, and 1953 This listing is for the FIRST STATE, FIRST PRINTINGS of the FOUNDATION TRIOLOGY, a set of three Fine/near fine stated first edition books by Asimov, one signed by Asimov on a laid in signature. With publication dates of 1951 for FOUNDATION, 1952 for FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE, and 1953 for SECOND FOUNDATION. Published by Gnome Press, New York. A handsome set of this trilogy consisting of first state dust jackets, and stunning clean fine/near fine first edition books. The dustjackets all have the publisher’s $2.75 printed price present and are vibrant in color without the ubiquitous fading normally seen on Foundation and Empire.FOUNDATION: Stated First Edition, First Printing, Signed on a laid in signature: Clean, bright book with a stunning near fine first state dust jacket, not price-clipped.FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE: Stated First Edition, First Printing: Clean, bright fine condition book with a fine condition stunning first state dust jacket, not price-clipped.SECOND FOUNDATION: Stated Stated First Edition, First Printing Clean, bright fine book with a fine first state dust jacket, not price-clipped.A superb fine/near fine trilogy in beautiful collectible condition, with a lovely laid in signature by Asimov. “Asimov’s acclaimed Foundation Trilogy, was the winner of the 1966 Hugo Award for “Best All-Time Series.” Would make a wonderful gift and investment for an Asimov collector.This outstanding fine set has been otherwise discounted due to two of books have several fascinating small very neat bibliographic pen marks on their “contents” page with the name and date of the origin of the original publications, otherwise this set would list closer to $19,000. Please inquire for images as ABE has a 5 image limit per listing. Please see our ABE store for other SciFi titles.
Seller: Meier And Sons Rare Books, New Canaan, CT, U.S.A.
Price: US$12500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: An Attractive Set Of The True First Editions, All In First State Bindings And First Issue Dust Jackets (Priced $2.75, Not Price-Clipped), Without Any Writing Or Marks, Second Foundation Inscribed By Asimov. Foundation: Gnome Press (1951) Near Fine Book, No Marks Or Damage, Stated "First Edition" In First State Binding Of Blue Cloth With Red Lettering, Sheets Bulk 1.9 Cm Across The Top; Black Dust Jacket With Red, Blue White And Yellow, By Kyle, Is Vg+, First State With Three Books And Calendar Discussed On Back Panel, Wear With Minute Paper Loss At Corners And Tips, Very Light Wear At Edges, 1" Mostly Closed Tear Along Top Front Spine Fold (Not Very Noticeable), 1 1/2" Closed Tear And Associated Wrinkle At Upper Left Corner Of Front Panel. Very Slight Fading To Red Lettering On Spine, Otherwise All Panels Are Clean And Bright. Foundation And Empire: Gnome Press (1952), Near Fine, Stated "First Edition", First State Of Red Boards Lettered In Black, Publisher's Imprint On Spine Measuring 2.2 Cm. Across, Sheets Bulk 1.8 Cm. Across Top, Near Fine W/Slight Rubbing At Corners; Vg + / Near Fine First Issue Multicolor Dj By Ed Cartier, 26 Titles On Rear Panel, With Light Wear At Corners, No Chipping Or Losses, Entirely Closed 3/4" Tear To Top Of Front Panel Near Flap Fold, 5/8" Closed Tear At Top Of Rear Panel, 1/4" Closed Tear At Bottom Of Front Flap Fold. Second Foundation: A Remarkably Attractive First Edition, First Binding Of Blue Boards Lettered In Brown, With First Issue Yellow Dustjacket. Book Has Just A Touch Of Wear At Points Of Tips And Small Areas Along Top And Bottom Edges Of Spine; Dj Is Near New, Not Price Clipped, Unworn Except For A Short Rub Along Front Spine Fold Near The Bottom, With A 1/8" Deep, 1/4" Long Loss Along The Top Of The Rear Panel With A 1/4" Associated Closed Tear, A 1/8" Closed Tear At Bottom Of Rear Panel, And A Tiny Chip At Bottom Of Front Flap Fold. Inscribed To A Fan By Isaac Asimov At A Sf Convention Circa 1956.
Seller: Arroyo Seco Books, Pasadena, Member IOBA, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$13807.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: *** THE FOUNDATION TRILOGY *** FOUNDATION, FOUNDATION & EMPIRE & SECOND FOUNDATION, Gnome Press, 1951, 1952 & 1953 respectively, first editions, (first state bindings and full color pictorial dust-wrappers), 3 volumes, all fine (once open the covers snap back) in like full color pictorial dust-wrappers with the slightest of wear. FOUNDATION & EMPIRE and SECOND FOUNDATION have bumps at the upper rear fore edge corner tips. This work awarded the HUGO for the best all time series. (Editorial note: We would love to say that our dw for FOUNDATION is the rare issue with the main character throughout the series name misspelled on the front dw flap, but ironically, this major typo (Hari Sheldon for Hari Seldon) exists on all first printing dust-wrappers and was not caught until the second printing of this volume. To make matters even a bit more bizarre, the misspelled name also exists on the rear flap of FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE). Signed postcard by Asimov laid in.
Seller: THE FINE BOOKS COMPANY / A.B.A.A / 1979, ROCHESTER, MI, U.S.A.
Price: US$14295.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Gnome Press, New York, 1951, 1952, and 1953 FIRST STATE of the First Edition, First Printings A superb set of Near Fine/Fine, clean crisp books, in Near Fine/Fine dust jackets, Boldly signed with on laid in typed sheet by Isaac Asimov. Gnome Press, New York, 1951, 1952, and 1953 This listing is for the FIRST STATE, FIRST PRINTINGS of the FOUNDATION TRIOLOGY, a set of three Near fine stated first edition books by Asimov, accompanied by a laid in typed page, signed by one signed by Isaac Asimov “Isaac Asimov”. With publication dates of 1951 for FOUNDATION, 1952 for FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE, and 1953 for SECOND FOUNDATION. Published by Gnome Press, New York. A handsome set of this trilogy consisting of FIRST STATE dust jackets, and stunning clean fine/near fine first edition books withOUT owner names or inscriptions. The dust jackets all have the publisher’s $2.75 printed price present and are vibrant in color without the ubiquitous fading normally seen on Foundation and Empire. FOUNDATION: Stated First Edition, First Printing, Signed on a laid in typed sheet: Clean, bright book with a stunning near fine first state dust jacket, not price-clipped. FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE: Stated First Edition, First Printing: Clean, bright near fine condition book with a near fine condition stunning first state dust jacket, not price-clipped. SECOND FOUNDATION: Stated Stated First Edition, First Printing Clean, bright near fine book with a near fine first state dust jacket, not price-clipped.A superb fine/near fine trilogy in beautiful collectible condition, with a lovely laid in typed sheet signed by Isaac Asimov. “Asimov’s acclaimed Foundation Trilogy, was the winner of the 1966 Hugo Award for “Best All-Time Series.” Would make a wonderful gift and investment for an Asimov collector. ****PLEASE INQUIRE For the full detailed description of each book and dust jacket, and for a set of 20 images of this trilogy. Please visit our ABE store for other landmark Science Fiction lisings.
Seller: Meier And Sons Rare Books, New Canaan, CT, U.S.A.
Price: US$17500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: An exceptional and RARE set, all three books having been SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR Isaac Asimov to the same lady in the most intriguing and charming manner - "Foundation" SIGNED AND INSCRIBED "For Laura Jean a passionate Southern gal Isaac Asimov", "Foundation and Empire" SIGNED AND INSCRIBED "For Laura Jean a persistent Southern gal Isaac Asimov", and "Second Foundation " SIGNED AND INSCRIBED "For Laura Jean a married Southern gal Isaac Asimov". Ah, to have been a witness to THAT book signing, where the sparks were obviously flying ! All three books stated Gnome Press First Editions, "Foundation" in dark blue boards with red lettering at spine, thinner and narrower paper and with dust jacket too large for this thinner book, although stating First Edition 1951 on CP is actually the 1954 2nd Edition. Book is Very Good, pages browning, slight toning to edges of end pages, top edge dusty, in a Very Good dust jacket, priced $2.75 front flap, small chips at spine ends and flap fold tips. "Foundation and Empire", 1952, is First Edition, First State in original red cloth, in Second Issue dust jacket in blue tones. Book is Very Good, pages uniformly browning. In Near Fine dust jacket, small chips top and bottom edges rear panel at spine. "Second Foundation", 1953. is First Edition, First State in original light blue boards, spine stamped in brown, Very Good, cloth a bit rubbed at spine ends, light toning to end pages at edges, top edge soiled, in a Very Good dust jacket, 1/2" chip top edge front panel at spine, light edge wear and soiling. Overall a Very Good set, with unique Asimov inscriptions, of this towering classic of the science fiction genre that continues to remain fresh and current. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall
Seller: Dale Steffey Books, ABAA, ILAB, Bloomington, IN, U.S.A.
Price: US$25000.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Editions, First Issues dustjackets, SIGNED by Isaac Asimov on the front free endpaper in the Second Foundation. All three books are First Editions, First Printings. A wonderful (3) volume set with the ORIGINAL dustjackets. The dustjackets have the publisher's $2.75 printed price present and are vibrant in color without the ubiquitous fading normally seen on Foundation and Empire . The books are in great shape and appear UNREAD. The bindings are tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in any of the books. A beautiful set of this Foundation trilogy SIGNED by the author and NOT inscribed to anyone. We buy SIGNED Asimov First Editions.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
Price: US$27500.00 + shipping
Description: Octavo, three volumes, first volume bound in cloth, others in boards. All volumes signed or inscribed by Asimov. The first three volumes of the Foundation series. Soon to released on the streaming service Apple TV as a series. Awarded a special Hugo in 1966 for best all-time series. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-46. Survey of Science Fiction Literature II, pp. 819-31. Mild rubbing to corner tips and spine ends of FOUNDATION, a fine copy in an about fine dust jacket; vertical crease to rear panel of FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE, a fine copy in a fine dust jacket; SECOND FOUNDATION has several small stains to top of page edges which bleed to some pages of text block, the deepest being 4 cm of bleed but mostly no more than 2 cm, otherwise a fine copy in a fine dust jacket. A most attractive set, uncommon to have all three volumes signed. (26664)
Seller: John W. Knott, Jr, Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB, Laurel, MD, U.S.A.