The Fan - Bob Randall, 1977 First Edition BCE with Bell System Ephemera

Bob Randall

Published by Random House, 1977

About this Item

Randall, Bob. The Fan. New York: Random House, 1977. First edition, Book Club Edition (BCE), issued simultaneously with the trade first. Octavo, gray paper boards lettered in black with publisher's 'BR' monogram to front and spine. A clean, square copy, very good+, showing only faint shelf toning to edges and a tiny bump at crown; no dust jacket, as issued for many BCEs. Ex libris Mary F. Haes, with her tasteful floral bookplate on front pastedown. Laid in are two original 1970s Bell System advertising bookmarks promoting long-distance calls ('Take a Phone Break' / 'Dial and Save'), one with brief pencil notes, a charming period artifact of 1970s telephony and consumer culture. Randall's epistolary thriller, told through letters between a Broadway star and an obsessive admirer, became a cult hit and the basis for the 1981 film starring Lauren Bacall. Bob Randall (1937-1995) was an American playwright, novelist, and screenwriter known for his darkly humorous and psychologically nuanced storytelling. His Broadway comedy 6 Rms Riv Vu earned critical acclaim, while The Fan, his first novel, showcased his flair for suspense and dialogue. Randall went on to write for television, creating series such as Kate & Allie and Love, Sidney, and was among the first openly gay writers to bring sensitive, character-driven stories to mainstream media.

Seller Inventory # F.RAN.1977.1

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Fan - Bob Randall, 1977 First Edition BCE with Bell System Ephemera
• Publisher: Random House
• Publication Date: 1977
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Book Club Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Fiction