Books

London: Cassell, 1938. First edition. Very Good +/Fair. Publisher's binding with red marbled boards and gilt to spine. Spine slightly cocked with rubbing to corners and base of boards. Black topstain and black endpapers. Scarce original jacket Fair only with significant paper loss to the spine and chips at the corners. Playfully inscribed "To George with love -- and more than that! Ayn. Jan 18, 1940." This copy last sold at Bonhams 2005 for almost $11,750. "In the summer of 1937, Rand took a break from working on The Fountainhead to write the novelette Anthem, a short, highly stylized tale of a future dystopia so saturated in collectivism that the word 'I' has disappeared from the language...Anthem is Rand's 'hymn to man's ego.' It is the story of one man's rebellion against a totalitarian society. Equality 7-2521 is a young man who yearns to understand 'the Science of Things,' but he lives in a bleak, dystopian future where independent thought is a crime, and where science and…

"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.