HANDSOME FIRST EDITION OF ‘THE FOUNTAINHEAD’ SIGNED BY AYN RAND
Beautifully signed by Ayn Rand at front endpaper: “Ayn Rand 4/10/77”. Very attractive. Rare signed example; without inscription or other marks. Copyright, 1943, The Bobbs-Merrill Company. First edition, early issue with printing errors sublicensed by original publisher Bobbs-Merrill due to wartime paper shortages. Publishers were given quotas and Blakiston had paper to spare. Original Bobbs-Merrill design with stylized gilt impresssed cover titles, green full cloth boards and matching printing plates, text design. Dark green full cloth boards, gilt cover and spine titles, light shelf, corner wear, rub. Pages near fine, clean; no writing. Exterior block remains bright and clean. Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Slight hinge gap at front; firm and solid. Contains first edition points: page number 9 appears as o; referred mispelled refrred at 5th line of page 321; G. W. at page 381; Dominique mispelled Domininque at page 480. Preserved in early issue original wrapper, moderate edge wear, rub, crease; with unclipped 3.00, protected in new clear sleeve. Original art deco first edition design in orange and brown with white three dimensional bold block titles. Ayn Rand sepia portrait and reviews for this title at back panel. Very attractive. Rare sharp signed early printing in very good wrapper.
The Fountainhead is “rational self-interest,” a view that people are more useful when improving themselves to offer most benefit to the world. It demonstrates individual achievement and productiveness over group collectivism. Roark is the embodiment of rational self-interest, as well as the Rand virtues of diligence, determination, originality and artistic excellence. The Fountainhead is a great and challenging novel based on a supreme belief in the rights of the individual. An unprecedented phenomenon in modern literature. Arguably the century’s most challenging novel of ideas; when first published it created a public furor and worldwide interest in Ayn Rand. On the surface, it is the story of a gifted young architect, his violent battle with conventional standards, and his explosive love affair with the beautiful woman who struggles to defeat him. In his fight for success, he first discovers and then rejects the seductive power of fame and money, finding that individual integrity must ultimately triumph. The story addresses a number of universal themes: the strength of the creative soul, the tug between good and evil, and the threat of fascism, whether overt or hidden. The confrontation of these themes, along with the amazing stroke of Rand’s writing, combine to give this creative classic its enduring influence. More relevant today than when written. Manufactured in the United States. Size: 12mo – over 6¾” – 7¾” tall.
