The Infocalypse Auction at Sotheby’s

Get ready, bookworms and tech nerds! Sotheby’s is diving headfirst into literary nostalgia with an auction spotlighting Neil Stephenson’s iconic Snow Crash. Slated for February 23, this event promises to deliver artifacts straight from the pages of one of the most pivotal works of science fiction that introduced the term “metaverse” into our lexicon. Who knew the road to the digital future would be paved with paper and ink?

The Crown Jewel: Original Manuscript

Among the treasures, Lot 2 holds the original manuscript wrapped in classic Xerox 4200 Paper (that’s right, folks—it’s just as authentic as that cup of coffee grounding your thoughts at 2 AM). Adorned with masking tape and decorated with corrections in blue ink, courtesy of Mr. Stephenson himself, this piece of writing history has its spine boldly marked with a sharpie. It’s practically begging to be cherished by both fans and collectors alike!

Lot 4: A Manual of Revisions

Feeling lucky? You might also try your hand at Lot 4, a revised typesetting manuscript! This version is packed with extra handwritten notes and revisions that truly give readers insight into Neil’s thought process. Imagine holding a piece of art where the author wrestled with ideas and characters, like a heavy-weight bout between creativity and critical thinking!

Other Treasures from the Infocalypse

• The original cover artwork from the 1993 paperback edition.
• A leather jacket intended for a promotional video—because who doesn’t need a dash of cool?
• Slides showcasing the graphic novel concept—an early look at the universe before it hit the shelves!
• A sword inspired by the protagonist’s legendary weapon—now you can be the hero (or villain) of your own dystopian saga!

And let’s not forget the digital art NFTs—you know, those colorful blobs of creativity that the kids are raving about these days. They correlate with the entire Snow Crash ethos.

A Glimpse into the Dystopian World

First hitting bookshelves in 1992, Snow Crash paints a gritty picture of a dystopia wherein most people live in cramped storage facilities. Our hero, Hiro, is not just a normal guy; he’s a pizza delivery man with a penchant for adventure. Who knew delivering pizzas could involve battling bandits? And when he’s not swerving scoundrels, he’s diving into the metaverse, where reality escapes him like his dietary restrictions during a pizza binge.

More than Just a Book

Since its launch, Snow Crash has sold over a million copies in North America alone. It’s become a guiding light for the virtual reality enthusiasts, many of whom use the term “metaverse” like it’s the hottest new catchphrase. The burgeoning virtual reality boom has created job opportunities and changed the landscape of Web3 gaming—from digital gardeners to NFT artists, it’s a whole new world!

Closing Thoughts

So, whether you’re a dealer in digital art or a lover of classic sci-fi literature, the Infocalypse auction isn’t just an auction; it’s an invitation to be part of history. As the metaverse continues to evolve, who wouldn’t want a piece of the cultural artifact that helped shape our understanding of virtual worlds?