Between the Covers

Unbound. Manuscript of acclaimed science-fiction and fantasy writer Harlan Ellison's first novel, here titled by him as *Web of the City* but eventually published in 1958, with the title changed by the publisher, unbeknownst to Ellison, as *Rumble*, a novel described on the cover as "A teen-age gang leader's brutal story." The novel was originally sold to the small but influential paperback publisher Lion Books, but was acquired Pyramid Books before publication.

1. Typed Manuscript. Approximately 230 leaves typed rectos only (215 numbered pages along with some insert and preliminary pages). Title page typed on Ellison's New York stationary. Extensive corrections both by hand and typed with intermittent notations of how many words he had achieved (noted as 66,000 on the title page).

Signed by the author on the title page: "Your perceptivity is appalling - Thank you - Harlan Ellison." Housed in the original Spinx Typewriter Paper box that was used by Ellison when he wrote it as an often demoted PFC serving at Fort Knox in Kentucky, where he wrote it late at night. After lights out he would adjourn to the latrine, where he: "would take a wooden plank, my Olympia typewriter, and my box of manuscript and blank paper, and would go into the head (that's the toilet to you civilized folks), place the board across my lap... and I would write this book" (from the Introduction of #4 below).

The relatively cheap paper of the manuscript is modestly age-toned but is supple and stable, a few pages have been crumbled up and then later re-flattened (presumably the result of a change of heart), a few small tears, but overall is very good or better. The cardboard box displays some wear but is largely intact and good or better.

Offered with:

2. ELLISON, Harlan. *Rumble*. New York: Pyramid Books (1958). First edition. Paperback original. Some creasing on the spine and other light wear, very good or a little better in wrappers.

3. -. *Rumble*. New York: Pyramid Books (1963). Second edition, and first with this cover art. Mass market paperback. Tiny crease on front wrap, else about fine in wrappers.

4. -. *Web of the City*. New York: Pyramid Books (1975). First edition with this title, and with a new Introduction by Ellison describing the writing of this book. Mass market paperback. Moderate rubbing on the wrappers, very good.

An amazing artifact and an aptly titled first novel from one of the most prolific science-fiction writers of the past 75 year whose personality loomed as largely and loudly as his work.

Item #445366