SIR ARTHUR C. CLARKE - PRINTED LETTER SIGNED IN INK 01/12/1972 - HFSID 48539

ARTHUR C. CLARKE
Clarke signed this form letter in 1972 to one of the many, many people who sent him mail. It contains his address in Colombo, Ceylon, biographical information and advice to other authors. Clarke published his Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novel Rendezvous with Rama the year that this letter was signed.
Printed letter signed: "Arthur C Clarke/1972 Jan 12", 2 p (front and verso), 8x10. Signed on page 2. On page 1, Clarke has handwritten a recipient's name, "Mr Buchan", and added the initials: "P. I. O!" on page 1. This is a printed form letter containing brief biographic information, publishers contact information, and the explanation that he receives far too many requests for photographs, advice on writing, and comments on manuscripts to be able to respond individually to any of these. In part: "As I now receive several thousand items of mail a year, it is not possible for me to answer you personally. Moreover, as I am travelling approximately half of each year, it is sometimes many months before letters reach me. This reply, which is automatically sent out by my offices in London or Ceylon, is designed to deal with about 90% of the questions I am asked. I hope you will understand the need for it, I thank you for your interest in my work." Clarke (1917-2008) was a researcher and science fiction author perhaps best known for 2001: A Space Odyssey. In 1964, the popular science fiction writer had been approached by director Stanley Kubrick, who wanted to make "the proverbial good science fiction movie." Clarke simultaneously wrote his novel, which spanned man's exploration of his universe from the savannahs of Africa to the rings of Saturn, as Kubrick was creating the film. Both debuted in 1968. Besides his sequels to 2001, Clarke has produced some of science fiction's most celebrated novels, including Childhood's End and Rendezvous with Rama, thought-provoking short stories like The Nine Billion Names of God and many essays. A resident of Sri Lanka since 1946, Clarke won two Hugo and one Nebula award, and he shared an Oscar nomination with Kubrick for 2001 in 1968. Lightly toned and creased. Paper loss on page 2, which shows through on page 1 (touches printed letter, but not signature). Folded in half horizontally and twice vertically. Folds are worn and torn. Otherwise, fine condition.