556

Isaac Asimov Typed Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Isaac Asimov Typed Letter Signed

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2021 Oct 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, December 24, 1966. Letter to Maggie Rose in Hollywood, in part: "How can you possibly have found time to write such a long letter? It is easily as long as the average short story. In any case, your letter has confirmed what I have always instinctively felt—that the profession of television-writing (or writing for mass media in general) is a fate worse than death. I have never been tempted. I sit here in my attic, writing poky material for audiences which—when they reach 50,000—are enormous and which are large enough when they reach 10,000. As a result I can do as I please, for I can always find one American out of every ten thousand or so who will take me as I am.

Your problems with accelerated time are certainly beyond me. I have never tried to work out anything in such vast and technical detail. The trick of science fiction (as of all art, I believe) is selection. By being technically correct at a few mountain peaks, you create an aura of plausibility and can dismiss the valleys with a wave. I have never, never, never found fault with anyone for saying that under some arcane set of circumstances the temperature reaches 1200° C. when it really reaches 1500°. I object only when someone calls Arcturus a planet or says that silicon is a gas at room temperature.

As for accuracy elsewhere—in law or architecture or anything like that—I can say nothing. I have never tried, and after reading your letter, I shall never try to try.—Incidentally the Star Trek people have been in correspondence with me but have not asked me for a script. Nor have I suggested one. We both know I'm incompetent in this respect." In fine condition. Exemplary content from the prolific sci-fi scribe.