Brief History Time Big by Stephen Hawking, Signed (4 results)

First British edition and true first of Hawking's groundbreaking work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Ron Miller. Signed by Carl Sagan on the title page, who wrote the introduction. Additionally signed and inscribed by the illustrator Ron Miller, who has also added a drawing.ÂSaganÂtells the following story: Sagan was in London for a scientific conference in 1974, and between sessions he wandered into a different room, where a larger meeting was taking place. "I realized that I was watching an ancient ceremony: the investiture of new fellows into the Royal Society, one of the most ancient scholarly organizations on the planet. In the front row, a young man in a wheelchair was, very slowly, signing his name in a book that bore on its earliest pages the signature of Isaac Newton. Stephen Hawking was a legend even then." In his introduction, Sagan goes on to add that Hawking is the "worthy successor" to Newton and Paul Dirac, both former Lucasian Professors of Mathematics. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing. Rare and desirable signed. A landmark volume in science writing by one of the great minds of our time, Stephen Hawkingâs book explores such profound questions as: How did the universe beginâ"and what made its start possible? Does time always flow forward? Is the universe unendingâ"or are there boundaries? â[Hawking] can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit. . . . His is a brain of extraordinary power" (The New York Review of Books).

Later printing of Hawkingâs groundbreaking work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Ron Miller. Association copy, inscribed by Jane Hawking on the title page, "For Frank Williams, in admiration Jane" and signed by Stephen Hawking with his thumbprint. The recipient, Sir Francis Owen Garbett Williams was a British businessman, racing car driver, and the founder of the Williams Formula One team. He was the team principal from its foundation in 1977 until 2020. During that period, the team won nine constructors' championships and seven drivers' championships. Hawking was a loyal supporter and fan of the Williams Formula One team. He visited the Williams team factory and watched races from the Williams pit on several occasions. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Author photograph by David Gamble. With a collection of photographs of Williams and Hawking laid in as well as a letter of provenance signed by Joss. A. Cheli. A landmark volume in science writing by one of the great minds of our time, Stephen Hawkingâs book explores such profound questions as: How did the universe beginâ"and what made its start possible? Does time always flow forward? Is the universe unendingâ"or are there boundaries? â[Hawking] can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit. . . . His is a brain of extraordinary power" (The New York Review of Books).

8vo (230 x 153mm). Text illustrations. Publisher's black quarter cloth, blue pictorial dustjacket. First American edition with authorial thumbprint of Hawking's bestselling science classic. A fine copy, 'signed' with an authorial thumbprint on front free endpaper. - Provenance: Judy Fella (Hawking's first secretary, and later PA and nursing coordinator: Fella worked with Hawking on the first draft of "A Brief History of Time").

First edition of Hawkingâs groundbreaking work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Ron Miller. Presentation copy, signed by Stephen Hawking on the title page with his thumbprint, "For John Simpson, this unique signature has been printed by Stephen Hawking." Fine in a fine dust jacket. Author photograph by David Gamble. First printings are exceptionally rare and desirable signed. A landmark volume in science writing by one of the great minds of our time, Stephen Hawkingâs book explores such profound questions as: How did the universe beginâ"and what made its start possible? Does time always flow forward? Is the universe unendingâ"or are there boundaries? â[Hawking] can explain the complexities of cosmological physics with an engaging combination of clarity and wit. . . . His is a brain of extraordinary power" (The New York Review of Books).