Books

SIGNED and Inscribed "affectionately" by "Ayn," an extraordinarily rare Publisher's Review Copy of the first edition of Ayn Rand's Anthem, the rarest of all her books, dated by the author in the month after publication. A splendid example protected in a custom clamshell box. Responding to a student's question decades later about Anthem's origin, Rand explained, "I got the idea in my school days, in Soviet Russia, when I heard all the vicious attacks on individualism, and asked myself what the world would be like if men lost the word 'I'." (The Ayn Rand Column, 1998). This First ORIGINAL UNREVISED Edition (23, 484 words) preceded Pamphleteers' 1946 First American edition (19,190 words) by eight years. While Rand originally conceived of Anthem as a play, and published it eventually as a pamphlet/novella, she divulged in a letter to Rose Wilder Lane: "If you are really wondering about it, Anthem is a poem" (Berliner: Letters of Ayn Rand, 293). "The most lyrical of any of her…

"Anthem" by Ayn Rand is a thought-provoking novella that explores themes of individualism, collectivism, and the power of the human spirit in a dystopian society. Set in a future world where technological advancement has regressed, people live in a highly regulated society where individuality is suppressed and personal pronouns like "I" and "me" are forbidden. The protagonist, Equality 7-2521, rebels against this collectivist society as he discovers his own sense of self. Equality 7-2521 is a young man who yearns for knowledge and freedom. He discovers an underground tunnel from the Unmentionable Times, where he conducts forbidden experiments and makes groundbreaking discoveries. However, his discoveries are condemned by the authorities who believe in a society where everyone is equal and collective happiness is valued above personal fulfillment. During his journey, Equality 7-2521 meets Liberty 5-3000, a woman who shares his desire for freedom. They begin to develop feelings for each other, which is forbidden in their society. They break free from the constraints of their collectivist world and explore their individuality together. As they venture beyond the boundaries of their society, Equality 7-2521 rediscovers the lost concept of the word "I" and embraces his own identity. He realizes the significance of individualism and the power of independent thought. The novella culminates in Equality 7-2521 rejecting the society's dogmas and embracing his own free will and individuality. "Anthem" serves as a powerful critique of collectivism and authoritarianism, championing the importance of individualism, personal identity, and the pursuit of knowledge and happiness. It highlights the resilience of the human spirit against oppressive systems and celebrates the value of individual freedom and self-discovery.

The first edition of 'Anthem' by Ayn Rand was published in the UK. It was a hardcover edition with a blue cloth binding and the publisher's logo on the cover. The first edition can be identified by the publisher's name, Cassell, on the spine and the absence of any mention of subsequent printings or editions.