FAHRENHEIT 451 - SIGNED BY RAY BRADBURY & JOE MUGNAINI

New York: Ballantine Books, Inc, 1953. First Edition. Sharp copy of Bradbury's best-known work, based on his 1951 short story "The Fireman." "Totalitarian state outlaws virtually all books, especially the classics; an underground form of people who memorize great books to preserve them for posterity. The plot revolves around a "fireman's" conversion from book burner to preserver" (Barron, Anatomy of Wonder 3-61). Basis for François Truffaut's classic 1966 film, starring Oskar Werner and Julie Christie, and Ramin Bahrani's more recent adaptation for HBO, starring Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon. A highspot of the genre, seldom found signed by both author and illustrator. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, Vol.1, p.39; Sargent, p.121; Pringle 100. First Printing, trade issue. Octavo (20.25cm); Currey's D binding in red boards, with titling and author's facsimile signature stamped in yellow on spine and front cover; [vi],199,[3]pp. Inscribed by Bradbury on the front endpaper: "For Al Rogan - with good wishes from Ray Bradbury / June 4, 1980." Beneath this, dustjacket designer and illustrator Joseph Mugnaini has signed "Thank you / Joe Mugnaini." Some pinpoint rubbing to spine ends and lower corner tips, else a fresh, very Near Fine copy. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $2.50), lightly edgeworn, with some mild dust-soil to extremities, a few tiny nicks and tears, and some gentle sunning to spine panel, resulting in some very light fading to the green and red lettering; unrestored, Very Good+ or better. Housed in a custom clamshell case designed by James Tapley.