Recently Shelved
THE FOUR-DIMENSIONAL NIGHTMARE.
London: Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1963. Octavo, boards. First edition. The author's first short story collection. Collects eight stories including "The Voices of Time," "Prima Belladonna," and "Chronopolis."
KING CONAN.
New York: Gnome Press, Inc., Publishers, [1953]. Octavo, cloth. First edition. The third Gnome Conan. Collects five stories, which includes the "Jewels of Gwahlur," one of four first published in WEIRD TALES in 1932, 1933 and 1935, and one previously unpublished story, "The Black Stranger," revised by L. Sprague de Camp and published here as "The Treasure of Tranicos." With an introduction by L. Sprague De Camp.
THE COMING OF CONAN.
New York: Gnome Press, Inc. Publishers, [1953]. Octavo, jacket art by Frank Kelly Freas, boards. First edition. The fourth Gnome Conan. Collects seven stories, five first published in WEIRD TALES in 1929, 1933 and 1934, and two previously unpublished stories, "The God in the Bowl" and "The Frost-Giant's Daughter," both revised by L. Sprague de Camp. The contents also include the following bibliographical material: reprint of a Howard letter to P. Schuyler Miller, H. P. Lovecraft letter to Donald Wollheim about Howard, and part 1 of Howard's essay The Hyborian Age.
THE SWORD OF CONAN.
New York: Gnome Press, Inc., Publishers, [1952]. Octavo, jacket art by David Kyle, cloth. First edition. The second Gnome Conan. Collects "The People of the Black Circle," "The Slithering Shadow," "The Pool of the Black One" and "Red Nails," all first published in WEIRD TALES in 1933, 1934 and 1936.
SF: '59: THE YEAR'S GREATEST SCIENCE-FICTION AND FANTASY.
Hicksville, New York: The Gnome Press Inc., 1959. Octavo, original light red cloth, spine stamped in black. First edition. Collects fifteen stories, including a first publication in hardcover of the John Steinbeck story "The Short Story of Mankind" (first published in Playboy), others authors included are Brian Aldiss, Fritz Leiber, Theodore Sturgeon Avram Davidson, Gerald Kersh, and others. Also included are four non-fiction features. See Anatomy of Wonder 3-220.
SF: '58: THE YEAR'S GREATEST SCIENCE-FICTION AND FANTASY.
New York: The Gnome Press Inc., [1958]. Octavo, original light red cloth, spine stamped in black. First edition. Collects eleven short stories which includes "The Fly" by George Langelaan, which is the first book publication and the basis for two horror films. Other authors include Brian Aldiss, Isaac Asimov, Henry Kuttner, Avram Davidson, Zenna Henderson, and others; plus nonfiction essays on science fact. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1394.
SF: '57: THE YEAR'S GREATEST SCIENCE-FICTION AND FANTASY.
New York: The Gnome Press Inc., Publishers, [1957]. Octavo, original light red cloth, spine stamped in black. First edition. Collects eighteen short stories by C. M. Kornbluth, Algis Budrys, Damon Knight, Isaac Asimov, J. G. Ballard, Theodore Sturgeon, and others. Anatomy of Wonder (1995) 3-220.
GATHER, DARKNESS!
New York: Pellegrini & Cudahy, 1950. Octavo, cloth. First edition. "In a theocratic future society, ruled by totalitarian means, rebel scientists are know as "witches." The hero is a member of the Church hierarchy who is torn between his ostensible duty and what he knows to be right. Leiber's first novel, and an example of 40s magazine sf at its most sophisticated." - Pringle, The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction, second edition (1995), p. 153. "Solid SF and the forerunner of later novels involving the role of religion and science." - Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 3-250. Author's second book and first novel. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-652. Bleiler, The Guide To Supernatural Fiction 1003. In 333.
THE GREEN MILLENNIUM.
New York: Abelard Press, [1953]. Octavo, boards. First edition. "An overpopulated near future Earth is quietly invaded by benign aliens who resemble green pussycats. A complex and amusing tale with deft touches of satire." - Pringle, The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction, second edition (1995), p. 162. Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 3-251.
THE STAR KINGS.
New York: Frederick Fell, Inc., [1949]. Octavo, boards. First edition. A space epic set in the far future that ranks a close second to THE HAUNTED STARS (1960), his best novel. "One of the classic American space operas: a retelling of Anthony Hope's THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (1894) in futuristic, galaxy-spanning fashion. Hamilton's first novel in book form, though he had written many magazine novellas and serials over a twenty year period prior to this one's appearance." - Pringle, The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction, second edition (1995), p. 344. In 333.
ANGELS AND SPACESHIPS.
NY: E. P. Dutton & Company, Inc., 1954. Octavo, boards. First edition. Collects seventeen stories, eight of which were published in ASTOUNDING and UNKNOWN between 1941 and 1949. Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 3-66. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 284.
GATEWAY.
New York: St. Martin's Press, [1977]. Octavo, boards. First edition. First book of the Heechee series. Winner of the 1977 Nebula and 1978 Hugo awards for best novel. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-860. Survey of Science Fiction Literature II, pp. 858-64.
A MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY.
Garden City: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1959. Octavo, illustrated by Joseph Mugniani, boards. First edition. Collects the title story and 21 others, including "The Dragon," "Fever Dream," "A Scent of Sarsaparilla," "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed," and "The Day It Rained Forever." Bleiler: The Guide to Supernatural Fiction #260.
THE MARTIAN WAY AND OTHER STORIES.
Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Company, Inc., 1955. Octavo, boards. First edition. Asimov's first collection of short fiction. Collects "The Martian Way," "Youth," a first contact story, "The Deep," an amusing Earth invaded by aliens satire, and "Sucker Bait," all written between 1952 and 1954. "Good traditional SF of the period." - Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 3-21. Most of the best of his short stories ... were initially assembled in a series of impressive volumes, including THE MARTIAN WAY AND OTHER STORIES (1955), EARTH IS ROOM ENOUGH: SCIENCE FICTION TALES OF OUR OWN PLANET (1957) and NINE TOMORROWS: TALES OF THE NEAR FUTURE (1959). Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 3-21.
ANGRY CANDY.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988. Octavo, cloth backed boards. First trade edition. Signed on the title page by Ellison. Collects seventeen stories. Preceded by an Easton Press signed edition. Includes "Paladin of the Lost Hour," Hugo Award winner for best novelette, 1986. This same story's teleplay won Ellison a Writer's Guild of America Award (for the Twilight Zone episode in 1987). The book is the 1988 winner of the World Fantasy Award for best collection. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-374.
A DAY FOR DAMNATION.
New York: Timescape Books Distributed by Simon and Schuster, [1984]. Octavo, cloth backed boards. First edition. Book two of "The War Against the Chtorr."
SUMMER IN THREE THOUSAND: NOT A PROPHECY -- A PARABLE.
London: Quality Press Ltd Publishers, [1946]. Octavo, boards. First edition. "A modern man is projected into a future of two sharply contrasted worlds, one of war and hate, the other of science-based happiness." - Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 152. Clarke, Tale of the Future (1978), p. 80. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 231. Bleiler (1978). p. 134. Reginald 09727.
SUMMER IN THREE THOUSAND: NOT A PROPHECY -- A PARABLE.
London: Quality Press Ltd Publishers, [1946]. Octavo, boards. First edition. "A modern man is projected into a future of two sharply contrasted worlds, one of war and hate, the other of science-based happiness." - Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 152. Clarke, Tale of the Future (1978), p. 80. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 231. Bleiler (1978). p. 134. Reginald 09727.
THE DEMOLISHED MAN.
Chicago: Shasta Publishers, [1953]. Octavo, cloth-backed boards. Second edition. Winner of the 1953 Hugo award for best novel and runner-up for the 1954 International Fantasy Award. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-116. Pringle, Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels 7. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, Additions. Survey of Science Fiction Literature II, pp. 529-32.
DESTINATION: UNIVERSE!
NY: Pellegrini & Cudahy, [1952]. Octavo, cloth. First edition. Briefly inscribed and signed by Van Vogt on the front free end paper. A collection of the author's fiction, 10 stories all first published in magazines.
PAVANE.
Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1968. Octavo, cloth. First U. S. edition. This edition adds "The White Boat" which is not included in the U.K. edition. "Papal domination of Europe has slowed progress and a dystopian medievalism has lasted into the twentieth century" - Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, pp. 313-4. "... a striking work of the imagination." - Burgess, Ninety-nine Novels: The Best in English since 1939, p. 104. With his second book, Roberts came fully into his own as a writer. PAVANE superbly depicts an alternate history in which -- Elizabeth I having been assassinated, the Spanish Armada victorious and no Protestant rise of capitalism in the offing -- a technologically backward England survives under the sway of the Catholic Church Militant. The individual stories are moody, eloquent, elegiac and thoroughly convincing." - John Clute, SFE (online) Anatomy of Wonder (1995) 4-362. Pringle: Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels #58.
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[PLANET OF ADVENTURE SERIES or the TSCHAI TETRALOGY]: CITY OF THE CHASCH, SERVANTS OF THE WANKH, THE DIRDIR, and THE PNUME.
San Francisco, CA; Columbia, PA: Underwood-Miller, 1979-81. Octavo, four volumes, cloth. First U. S. hardcover editions. A mixed set: Volume one is a trade edition, volume two is a trade edition signed by Vance, volumes three and four are one of 111 numbered and signed copies by Vance and artist David Ireland. Comprises City of the Chasch (1968), Servants of the Wankh (1969), The Dirdir (1969), and The Pnume (1970). Hewett and Mallett, The Work of Jack Vance, A32l, A35k, 36k, A38i.
THE DEMON PRINCES SERIES: THE STAR KING, THE KILLING MACHINE, THE PALACE OF LOVE, THE FACE and THE BOOK OF DREAMS (5 volumes).
San Francisco, CA; Columbia, PA: Underwood/Miller, 1980-81. Octavo, 5 volumes, leatherette. First U. S. hardcover editions volumes 1-3, first hardcover editions volumes 4 and 5. A mixed set of limited editions signed by Vance and trade editions (not signed), volume one is one of 175 signed and numbered copies, volume is three of 175 signed and numbered copies, out of series and stamped "presentation copy," volume four is one of 150 signed and numbered copies, volumes two and five are trade editions. The five volumes comprising the "Demon Princes" series. "Originally published between 1964 and 1981 ... these five picaresque novels are vintage Jack Vance, crammed to the brim with sardonic wit and beautiful, slightly understated prose. Five aliens, the Demon Princes of the title, were responsible for the Mount Pleasant Massacre, which destroyed an entire world. Kirth Gersen, whose entire family died in the massacre, has dedicated his life to hunting down and avenging himself upon the princes, one per volume." - Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1160. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1160. Hewett and Mallett, The Work of Jack Vance, A15m, A17m, A31h, A61c, A66b.
THE DEMON PRINCES SERIES: THE STAR KING, THE KILLING MACHINE, THE PALACE OF LOVE, THE FACE and THE BOOK OF DREAMS (5 volumes).
San Francisco, CA; Columbia, PA: Underwood/Miller, 1980-81. Octavo, 5 volumes, leatherette. First U. S. hardcover editions volumes 1-3, first hardcover editions volumes 4 and 5. Trade editions. The first volume and the fourth volume are signed by Vance. All five volumes comprising the "Demon Princes" series. "Originally published between 1964 and 1981 ... these five picaresque novels are vintage Jack Vance, crammed to the brim with sardonic wit and beautiful, slightly understated prose. Five aliens, the Demon Princes of the title, were responsible for the Mount Pleasant Massacre, which destroyed an entire world. Kirth Gersen, whose entire family died in the massacre, has dedicated his life to hunting down and avenging himself upon the princes, one per volume." - Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1160. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-1160. Hewett and Mallett, The Work of Jack Vance, A15m, A17m, A31h, A61c, A66b.
ODD JOHN: A STORY BETWEEN JEST AND EARNEST.
New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., [1936]. Octavo, pp. [i-iv] v [vi] 1-282, original light brown cloth, front and spine stamped in black. First U. S. edition. One of a number of later bindings. Stapledon's third novel. "... the most radically thoughtful of the many fictional extrapolations of ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES and one of the least comfortable in its conclusion. Above all it exposes the flimsiness of thinking that 'Superman' will always be on the side of the police, that evolution has stopped, or that from now on evolution will only take place nicely." - Survey of Science Fiction Literature IV, pp. 1583-87. "Although the narrative voices Stapledon's biases, it remains perhaps the finest early novel in which mankind is unable to accept and live with advanced mutations (supermen)." - Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 720. Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 3-58; (1981) 2-99; (1987) 2-110; (1995) 2-120; and (2004) II-1070. Clute and Nicholls (eds), The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (1993), p. 1152. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 205. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, Additions. Stableford, Scientific Romance in Britain 1890-1950, pp. 206-09. In 333. Bleiler (1978), p. 185. Reginald 13558. Satty and Smith A6.1.1.1.