"TO BARBARA—WHO UNDERSTANDS THE SPIRIT OF THIS STORY": ANTHEM, INSCRIBED BY AYN RAND TO HER BIOGRAPHER, BARBARA WEIDMAN BRANDEN, THE WIFE OF RAND'S LOVER AND INTELLECTUAL HEIR, NATHANIEL BRANDEN

RAND, Ayn. Anthem. Los Angeles, California: Pamphleteers, 1946. Octavo, original printed gray paper wrappers.

First American edition, second issue, of Ayn Rand's powerful anti-Collectivist novella, inscribed on the title page to her biographer, Barbara Weidman Branden, the wife of Ayn Rand's lover and intellectual heir, Nathaniel Branden: "To Barbara—who understands the spirit of this story—Ayn. June 21, 1950," with Barbara Branden's title page owner signature.

"The most lyrical of any of her work, the most abstract and stylized in its literary method. It has the beauty and cadence of a prose poem" (Branden, 14). Highly controversial from its inception, Anthem was published in England in 1938 after it was refused publication in the United States. It would not be published in America until Pamphleteers, Inc. brought it to press in 1946 in pamphlet form. However, even with only the British edition available, readers worldwide came to embrace Rand's anti-Collectivist themes and her elevation of the word "Ego" above all others. Through Anthem and her first book, We the Living, Rand started a movement that she would continue to build through The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and which would shape the lives of many of her readers. "It is virtually impossible to be objective about objectivism. Thus Rand is destined to be one of the most controversial writers—and thinkers—of her time" (ANB). The first edition was published in Great Britain in 1938; this is the first American edition, second issue, with stamped correction to publisher's address on title page reading: "1151 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California" and with "book store edition" notation inside back cover. Without scarce wraparound band. Perrin A2b. This copy is inscribed to Barbara Weidman, later Barbara Branden, wife of Nathaniel Branden, Rand's intellectual heir. In fact, Weidman and Branden met due to their shared interest in Rand's philosophies. They finally met Rand in 1950—the year of this inscription—and became close friends. Rand and her husband served as matron of honor and best man at the couple's wedding. Rand's intense philosophical and personal relationship with the young Nathaniel Branden became a sexual relationship as well in 1954 with the knowledge and reluctant permission of both Barbara Branden and Rand's husband. Despite this transgression, Barbara Branden remained devoted to Rand's work. Her 1962 biography of Rand in Who is Ayn Rand? is considered to be the first. Rand considered Barbara Branden a leading disciple and evangelist of objectivism. The relationship between Rand and the Brandens ended abruptly in 1968 after Rand discovered Branden's secret affair with the woman who became his second wife. Rand was furious at Branden (and equally so at Barbara, despite the hypocrisy, for keeping his secret). Rand irrevocably and publicly "excommunicated" Branden from Objectivism (without revealing the real reason for the break). Interestingly, Barbara Branden continued to engage in writing biographical material on Rand, writing the definitive biography in 1986, The Passion of Ayn Rand. Remainder mark.

A few slight stains to interior and wrappers, bit of creasing and usual toning to original wrappers. A near-fine inscribed copy with an exceptional provenance.