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1962-1983. An archive of correspondence (five typed letters signed; one typed note signed; one typed postcard signed; and a typed letter and an autographed card written by Asimov's wife, Janet, each with a signed postscript from Asimov); along with a completed author questionnaire, signed by Asimov; and a two-page essay typed and signed by Asimov on the subject "Books and libraries: what they can contribute to continuing self-education," which Asimov submitted for 1963 Library Week's "Famous Bylines," although we can find no record of its ever having been published. The author questionnaire (1962) comes with a disclaimer about how much Asimov hates these questionnaires (he mentions this 4 times), but he has typed his answers over 7 pages: places lived; education; occupations; hobbies; writing routines; favorite modern writer (himself); writing advice; promotional ideas; etc. The (apparently unpublished) essay praises the public library and the concept of a lifetime of ongoing education. Asimov's letters transmit this essay; transmit the manuscript of his wife's novel; thank his publisher for a party ("a high point of my life"); and in the later years bemoan the fading from print several of his early titles (such as An Easy Introduction to the Slide Rule). Additionally included here is a typed postcard signed by Ray Bradbury (1969), explaining that the Asimov galleys will not reach him in London, and a typed letter signed from Arthur C. Clarke (secretarially typed, but signed by Clarke), also from 1969, in which Clarke makes a stated exception to his rule of not commenting on books by praising both the book Opus 100 and Asimov himself, as being not just a national resource, but a "global one, at least." The presence of Bradbury and Clarke in this archive comprises a sci fi "Big Three" -- who collectively wrote several of the most important science fiction novels of the 1950s and beyond -- from Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, to Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey to Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. The 7-page questionnaire and 2-page essay on libraries comprise significant unpublished and unknown writings by Asimov, who wrote or edited over 500 books in his career. The lot is near fine. [#036667] $5,500

NY, Holt Rinehart Winston, (1983). The uncorrected proof copy of this collection of scifi stories about robots and computers. Co-edited by Asimov, and with an introduction and a handful of stories by him. Other contributors: Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, John Wyndham, Michael Shaara, Poul Anderson, etc. Water spot to spine, else near fine in wrappers. [#036160] $50