FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE - INSCRIBED TO DAVID G. HARTWELL

New York: Gnome Press, 1952. First Edition. Second volume in Asimov's epic series inspired by the fall of Rome, portraying "the destruction of a human galactic empire and the efforts of psychohistorians to shorten the coming dark ages. To do this, they set up the hidden Foundation to guide humans in the development of a new culture...As predicted, the old empire's survivors attempt to destroy the Foundation and fail; but an unanticipated threat, a powerful psychic mutant called the Mule, consolidates a mini-empire, which threatens the original "Seldon's Plan" (Barron, Anatomy of Wonder 3-19). A significant association copy inscribed to David G. Hartwell (1941-2016), legendary editorial and publishing force within the genre, who was nominated for the Hugo Award a staggering 41 times during his career. Octavo (21cm); Currey's B binding in red boards, with titling and decorations stamped in black on spine and front cover, and publisher's imprint measuring 2.8cm at base of spine; dustjacket; [ii],[6],7-247,[7]pp. Inscribed by the author to Hugo-nominated editor and publisher David G. Hartwell on the title page: "To David Hartwell / Best wishes / Isaac Asimov." Light wear to spine ends and lower board edges, some offsetting to front endpaper, and some inevitable, subtle tanning to text due to inferior paper stock; Near Fine. In the second state dustjacket, unclipped (priced $2.75), with light wear to extremities, a few tiny rubbed spots, and a tiny tear at lower front joint; Near Fine.