This is a 4-page, copied presentation of 3 original designs of various survival equipment and inventions used by Robinson Crusoe in the Science Fiction classic Film "Robinson Crusoe on Mars". Designed by Ib Melchior for his screenplay of the Daniel Defoe story.
Melchior wrote "Journey to the Seventh Planet", "The Angry Red Planet", "Planet of the Vampires", an episode of the classic "The Outer Limits", and the story for the cult classic movie "Death Race 2000". Remarkably, it was Melchior who pitched Irwin Allen on creating a Science Fiction version of "Swiss Family Robinson", originally entitled "Space Family Robinson", which became "Lost in Space".
The cover of the Robinson Crusoe on Mars Survival Equipment Design presentation was typed originally by Melchior, who made a rare public appearance at a Star Con Convention in the Fall of 1995, 12 years ago. Melchior made this piece to hand-sign for fans of his work at the Convention. The piece is autographed on its cover on the bottom right-hand corner, in ballpoint pen. Inscribed: "Best wishes Ib Melchior".
The interior of the piece consists of 3 copies of very interesting designs by a Hollywood Pre-Production Illustrator. The 2nd page depicts Robinson Crusoe toting a "Sandsled" with detailed design work and notes. The 3rd page depicts "Robin's Booster Breather", a wonderful rendering of a aerospace breathing aparatus, with notations. The 4th page depicts a hand-crafted "Sand Clock".
The piece is accompanied with a hand-signed COA and LOA from The Museum of Science Fiction & Fantasy of Southern California, which once produced a personal appearance by the cast of Robinson Crusoe on Mars, as well as exhibiting Crusoe's prop space helmet from the popular Film.
Following informaion on Melchior courtesy of the IMDB:
Ib Melchior was also the creator of the original "Space Family Robinson"-property, which became Irwin Allen's TV series "Lost in Space" (1965). Melchior was never credited for the creation, until the details were exposed in Ed Shifres' book "Space Family Robinson: The True Story" (Windsor House, 1996), re-published as "Lost in Space: The True Story" (Windsor House, 1998). The book was extremely controversial and was critically-acclaimed with excellent reviews from notable Hollywood writers, yet Melchior never received neither a monetary settlement or official recognition as the creator of what became "Lost in Space"(1965).
