Not signed

Ray Bradbury; Estate of the above; Acquired by the present owner from the above, 2014.

Joseph Anthony Mugnaini (American, 1912-1992) The Pedestrian, book interior, 1964 Ink and gouache on paper 7 x 4-3/4 inches (17.8 x 12.1 cm) (sight) Not signed The present work is published in The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury (Roy A. Squires 1964). This illustration was also reproduced (and noted as "from the collection of Ray Bradbury") on page 178 of Bradbury - An Illustrated Life by Jerry Weist (Morrow, 2002). PROVENANCE: Ray Bradbury; Estate of the above; Acquired by the present owner from the above, 2014. The Pedestrian - "... a precursor to Fahrenheit 451"; Originally published in The Reporter magazine in 1951, it is one of Bradbury's most enduring stories. He chose it as the one representational example of his work to be included in Timeless Stories of Today and Tomorrow (Bantam books, 1952), for which he served as editor - and in his 1953 short story collection, The Golden Apples of the Sun. Clearly one of Bradbury's personal favorites, he would adapt it for the stage (The Pedestrian - A Fantasy in One Act, Samuel French, 1966) and later for television, (The Ray Bradbury Theatre in 1989). In subsequent years it has been reprinted in numerous genre anthologies, digests and magazines, including the collection A Pleasure to Burn - Fahrenheit 451 Stories (Subterranean Press, 2010). Perhaps the reason The Pedestrian continues to resonate with readers decades later is best explained by the author himself in his introduction to his collection Bradbury Stories - 100 of his Most Celebrated Tales (2005): "The Pedestrian was a precursor to Fahrenheit 451......a few months later I took that pedestrian for a walk in the night, had him turn a corner and meet a young girl named Clarisse McClellan. Nine days later, Fahrenheit 451 was born as a short novella called The Fireman." The present work is accompanied by a copy of a letter of authenticity signed by Alexandra Bradbury. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Framed under glass. Overall presents well with slight undulation to the sheet. Framed Dimensions 11.75 X 9.5 Inches