CRICHTON, Michael (1942-2008). Jurassic Park. New York: Knopf, 1990.

First trade edition of Jurassic Park: from the library of renowned palaeontologist John H. Ostrom, whose groundbreaking research directly inspired the novel.

Michael Crichton, fascinated by Ostrom's work, consulted the palaeontologist while writing Jurassic Park, as did Steven Spielberg while working on the film adaptation. His expertise lends a chilling scientific plausibility to the tale of genetically recreated dinosaurs wreaking havoc on an isolated island. At its core, Jurassic Park serves as a stark warning about the perils of unchecked scientific ambition and corporate greed, masterfully blending cutting-edge genetic theory with pulse-pounding action to create a thriller that sparked global interest in palaeontology. This copy, once part of Ostrom's personal library, represents a unique intersection of scientific discovery and the popular culture it helped to inspire.

Octavo. (A few small stains, slight split between pp.110-111.) Publisher’s cloth-backed boards, gilt stamp to upper board, embossed Borzoi stamp to lower board, spine lettered in gilt (faintly marked, vertical wrinkle to spine); original dust-jacket after a design by Chip Kidd (upper corners faintly rubbed, some shallow [T-rex?] scratches to surface). Provenance: John H. Ostrom (American paleontologist who revolutionized the modern understanding of dinosaurs, 1928-2005; ownership inscription on front pastedown).