Well I just came across this in my travels in the big world wide web. Douglas Adams has been an influence on me since I was quite small. Listening to the first recordings of Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy on ABC radio when i was a small boy. Then buying the Albums, then the books, then watching the TV series and then The Movie. Well I loved it all.
It marked a turning point in my awareness of British humour being different from American and Australian humour. Sporting and encompassing intelligent thought and clever cutting wit through to slapstick. I love HHGTTG and always have.
Nothing prepared me for spotyting this though. Douglas Adam’s Typewriter that wrote Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy is up for sale at US$ 25675.38. Geez I will I was a rich bastard so I caould own such a beautiful piece of history.
I know most of my friends would want it as well. How did this come to be for sale??? Who would possibly want to get rid of it? I dont understand. To top it all off it is sold with a First Edition of HHGTTG. Actually it is the book being sold with the bonus typewriter but I think they are both equally as cool as each other.
Here is a quote from the site:
2467Description: First Edition Hardback. A mouthwatering copy of this modern classic, the dustwrapper retains all of the notoriously fugitive blue and is wholly unfaded. The front image and lettering are bright and sharp and the book overall is in exceptional condition. Sold together with A UNIQUE ARTEFACT owned by Douglas Adams in the late 1970s, his Hermes Standard 8 typewriter. This is a thrilling object to possess with a fascinating history. It is as certain as can be that Adams wrote his most famous work ‘The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy’ on this Hermes Standard 8. Aside from the supporting provenance, it still contains much evidence of his ownership and regular use. It bears an anti-apartheid sticker on one side of the object and is boldly signed across the front casing by Adams in his unmistakeable hand. It comes housed in its cardboard box which Adams used to transport it, namely packaging from Simon and Schuster, originally containing copies of Adams and Terry Jones’ collaboration ‘Starship Titanic’. An address label to Adams’ office at the Digital Village, London, remains stuck on the box too. The typewriter itself is in attractive condition to display, but is entirely unrestored and as precisely as it was when it was owned by Adams. It is frequently mentioned by all who knew him that writing was often a torment for him and as such his lateness was legendary. He once said ‘I love deadlines. I love the whoosing sound they make as they fly by’, and such was his difficulty in producing work on time that in a well-documented act of desperation his publishers once locked him in a hotel room until he typed enough pages to be let out! The keys of his typewriter all still bear the marks of Adams’ tortured labour. Significantly, the ‘x’ key is particularly discoloured. A unique piece of literary history then and a fabulous talking point, and simply the ultimate possession for a Douglas Adams fan. It is almost superfluous to mention that it is also a very secure investment for the future. A little bit about its subsequent history: Adams signed and donated the typewriter to a wildlife charity auction in 1998, and it was then kept in private hands for several years before being sold on. Adams was passionate about wildlife and in keeping with his memory (and his original intention for this item), a donation will be made to Rhino Recovery with this sale. ABOUT US: It is our philosophy at N V to provide the astute collector with high quality books for pleasure and investment, whilst offering a service that is always friendly and helpful. EVERY listing has a sharp digital image of the EXACT item(s) that you are perusing – with more photographs available on request. The accompanying description is meticulous and we guarantee that all items are authentic. Nevertheless, you are welcome to call us FREE on (0800) 083 0281 with any queries, or on +44 (1608) 674181 from overseas. In the meantime we wish you every success with your collecting. Bookseller Inventory # 000002
Bibliographic Details
ISBN: 0213167387
Publisher: Arthur Barker Books
Publication Date: 1979
Book Condition: Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
Edition: First Edition
