R.U.R. Rossum's Universal Robots

Praha [Prague]: Aventinum, 1923 . Leather. Fine. 8.5" by 6". None. A signed copy of the fifth edition of Karel Capek's science-fiction play, an important work of twentieth century science fiction, remarkable for introducing the word 'robot' to modern language. In the original Czech.Flat signed by Capek to a front endpaper. Signed copies of R.U.R., Capek's best known work, are very scarce.The fifth Czech edition of the work, from the same publisher as the first edition.First performed in the original Czech in 1921, the work quickly became influential, and by 1923 had been translated into thirty languages.Capek coined the word 'robot' in the play, based on the Czech word 'robota', or 'forced labor'. A signed copy of an early edition of this important work of science fiction, set in a factory that makes artificial people that have been created from synthetic organ matter. Initially happy to work for humans, the robots revolt and cause the extinction of the human race. Isaac Asimov's "Laws of Robotics" are specifically and explicitly designed to prevent the kind of situation depicted in R.U.R. Rebound in half calf, with marbled paper covered boards. Endpapers renewed, but retaining an original front blank, which is flat signed by the author. Externally, fine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Fine