L. W. Currey, Inc.

Macnie, John, writing as "Ismar Thiusen." THE DIOTHAS OR A FAR LOOK AHEAD, by Ismar Thiusen [pseudonym]. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1883. Octavo, pp. [i-ii] iii-iv 1-358 [359-360: blank] [note: last leaf is a blank], flyleaves at front and rear, original decorated mustard cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black, decorated white endpapers with floral pattern printed in light orange. First edition. American utopia of the far future, a rare precursor of Bellamy's LOOKING BACKWARD (1888). There are close resemblances to Bellamy's utopia and some early critics incorrectly claimed Bellamy plagiarized Macnie's book. In a mesmeric journey to 26th century the hero discovers a highly regulated utopia. "As perhaps the second most important American nineteenth-century ideal society THE DIOTHAS has been examined for connections with Edward Bellamny's LOOKING BACKWARD. There are certain obvious similarities between the two books ... But it must also be pointed out that their common ground is general to the utopian tradition, and that Macnie's conservative, puritanical ideal society differs greatly from Bellamy's ideal socialist state. THE DIOTHAS is well written and is very readable, with exposition and story well integrated." - Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 2166. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1131. See Lewis, Utopian Literature, pp. 114-15, Roemer (ed), America as Utopia, pp. 297-98, and Suvin, Metamorphoses of Science Fiction, p. 177. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 2166. Fortunati and Trousson, Dictionary of Literary Utopias, p. 172. Kopp 884. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy 211 (citing a later edition). Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 732. Rooney, Dreams and Visions: A Study of American Utopias, 1865-1917, p. 193. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature 1516-1985, p. 70. Suvin, Victorian Science Fiction in the UK, p. 42. Bleiler (1978), p. 192. Reginald 14054. Wright (III) 3556. Early owner's signature dated 6 November 1883 on front flyleaf, a fine, bright copy. A rare book, especially in this condition. (#8438).

Price: $1,750.00