R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) (Signed by the translator, Paul Selver)

1923, the second UK printing of Karel Capek's play that gave us the word "robot"

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First UK edition, second impression. Paperback with printed red titling to front cover. 17 × 11.5cm, 102pp + 1pp ad.

This copy features a contemporary handwritten inscription to the title page believed to have been by the translator, Paul Selver. It reads "13/11/23 To Becky, with love from Paul".

The play that introduced the word "robot" to the English language. R.U.R. is a dark, philosophical satire in which Rossum's robots are biological entities or synthetic humans. The story follows a factory that creates these "robots" to perform all human labour. Eventually, the robots gain enough consciousness to realize they are being exploited, lead a global revolution, and wipe out the human race.

It was originally published in Prague in 1920 and remains a seminal work of science fiction. The word robot is derived from the Czech "robota" meaning forced labour or serfdom and was suggested to Karel Capek by his brother Josef with whom he collaborated on other plays.

Condition

This copy is in fair / poor condition. The front cover is detached and the paper cover of the spine suffers significant loss. There is some marking to the covers and a strip of sun-fading to the rear cover. The contents however, remain in good readable condition with gentle handling, there is some straining to the inner binding.