I Am Legend Signed Limited Edition Richard Matheson 1995 No 334 of 500

📖 Signed “I Am Legend” 40th Anniversary Limited Edition — Richard Matheson, Number 334 of 500

*The novel that defined post-apocalyptic fiction, preserved in a collector’s edition bearing the author’s own hand.*

**HISTORICAL CONTEXT**

Published in 1954, Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend” transformed science fiction by inverting the vampire myth into a story about the last healthy man in a world of the infected. The novel’s influence extends far beyond its pages — it directly inspired George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” became the basis for two major film adaptations (the 1964 “The Last Man on Earth” and the 2007 Will Smith version), and established the post-apocalyptic genre as a mainstay of speculative fiction.

**THE ITEM**

This is the 40th Anniversary Limited Edition published by Gauntlet Publications in 1995, celebrating four decades since the original release. Limited to 500 numbered copies, this is number 334. The edition is signed by Richard Matheson himself, plus George Clayton Johnson (who co-created “Horror Legend,” also included in this volume), Dan Simmons, and Dennis Etchison. The volume contains the full text of “I Am Legend” along with “Horror Legend” by Johnson, an introduction by Dan Simmons, an afterword by Dennis Etchison, and an introduction by Matthew R. Bradley.

**BINDING AND DESIGN**

Red leather boards with gilt lettering on the cover and spine. The cover bears Matheson’s signature in gold foil script. The spine displays “I AM LEGEND” and “RICHARD MATHESON” in gold lettering. Housed in a black textured slipcase. A silk ribbon place mark is sewn into the text block. The 258 pages are cream-colored and appear clean throughout.

**WHY IT MATTERS**

– One of only 500 copies in this limited edition
– Signed by the author, Richard Matheson — signatures on collectible Matheson editions are rare
– Four signatures total: Matheson, Johnson, Simmons, and Etchison
– Includes “Horror Legend” by George Clayton Johnson, a companion piece not found in standard editions
– Gauntlet Publications was known for high-quality limited editions; ISBN 1-887368-01-9
– Dedication page reads “To Henry Kuttner” — Matheson’s early collaborator and mentor

**FOR COLLECTORS**

A signed limited edition of “I Am Legend” is among the most sought-after items in science fiction collecting. Matheson’s personal signatures on collectible editions are uncommon, and this copy carries four signatures from notable figures in the genre. The near-fine condition and unread appearance make this a shelf-worthy specimen.

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**CONDITION:**
This is a “near fine” to “fine” vintage hardcover in slipcase with silk ribbon place mark sewn in, published by Gauntlet Publications in 1995 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this classic “vampire” / zombie / science fiction tale.

Limited, numbered edition, first edition thus, signed by Richard Matheson, Dennis Etchison, Dan Simmons and George Clayton Johnson.
Appears to be unread.

See accompanying images to view just how nice this copy is.

Will ship promptly, well packaged.

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