Isaac Asimov Signed Firsts: A Reference

Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) is the most prolific major author in science fiction history, with nearly five hundred books to his name across science fiction, mystery, popular science, and virtually every other nonfiction category. His three greatest contributions to the genre — the Foundation series, the Robot series, and the Three Laws of Robotics — have become foundational concepts not just in science fiction but in robotics and artificial intelligence research.

Collecting Overview

Asimov was an extraordinarily generous signer who rarely refused a request. He attended hundreds of events, conventions, and signings throughout his career. This prolific signing means that signed copies of his later works are readily available. The scarcity premium attaches primarily to his early Gnome Press editions, which were published in small quantities by a tiny publisher.

Key Titles

• Foundation (1951) — Gnome Press. The first volume of the trilogy. Signed Gnome Press firsts: $2,000–$6,000.
• Foundation and Empire (1952) — Gnome Press. Signed firsts: $1,000–$3,000.
• Second Foundation (1953) — Gnome Press. Signed firsts: $1,000–$3,000.
• I, Robot (1950) — Gnome Press. The definitive robot story collection. Signed firsts: $2,000–$5,000.
• The Caves of Steel (1954) — Doubleday. First Robot novel. Signed firsts: $300–$800.
• The End of Eternity (1955) — Doubleday. Signed firsts: $200–$500.

Asimov’s later Foundation novels (1982–1993) and Robot novels are readily available signed and modestly priced.