Bradbury 101, an exhibit from The Anne Farr Hardin Collection of Ray Bradbury Books, Fanzines, Pulps, Magazines, Correspondence, Photographs, Memorabilia and Ephemera, is now open to the public at the University of South Carolina’s Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library.

Bradbury (August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012) was an American author who wrote in a variety of genres and worked across several media. Best known for his fantasy, science fiction, horror and mystery stories, including Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man, many of his works were adapted for television, movies and comic books. 

Bradbury 101 includes first editions of Bradbury’s books, his first appearances in hard-to-find fanzines, pulps and magazines, and correspondence, ephemera and memorabilia from and related to his career.

Bradbury’s stories first gripped Hardin after she bought a copy of The Illustrated Man at her high school’s book fair. Years later, she reached out to Bradbury to secure permission to reprint his poem “Satchmo Saved” in the International Trumpet Guild’s journal. Bradbury granted permission, on condition that she send him six copies, and the two started a correspondence that led to their becoming close friends. While Hardin had become a true Bradbury collector through correspondence with him, they also shared in many adventures that solidified their friendship.

Take a virtual tour of the collection through the online exhibit Ray Bradbury Now and Forever.