Edgar Rice Burroughs, September 2023
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950)
What images come to mind when you think of Edgar Rice Burroughs? Johnny Weissmuller's jungle call or perhaps Tarzan swinging on a vine? Tarzan was such an enduring character that after first appearing in the 1912 novel Tarzan of the Apes, Burroughs wrote 24 sequels and there are 61 films that include the Tarzan character! Tarzan became an iconic character, on par with Sherlock Holmes. Yet Burroughs was so much more than the creator of Tarzan. A few months before the appearance of Tarzan, in his first published novel, Under the Moons of Mars, ERB introduced us to John Carter, Dejah Thoris (The Princess of Mars) and the world of Barsoom, under the pseudonym Norman Bean (he submitted the story as by “Normal Bean” but the editor thought that was an error and changed it to Norman). He would continue his planetary romance saga for another ten books and would also go on to explore the worlds of Venus, the inner earth of Pellucidar and many other imaginative places.
Burroughs influenced many authors (and imitators), including Ray Bradbury who would say “Edgar Rice Burroughs never would have looked upon himself as a social mover and shaker with social obligations. But as it turns out – and I love to say it because it upsets everyone terribly – Burroughs is probably the most influential writer in the entire history of the world." and "By giving romance and adventure to a whole generation of boys, Burroughs caused them to go out and decide to become special." (Interview with Sam Weller). “…because Burroughs had a genius for highly-energized literalizations of dream-worlds, they have endured.” – David Pringle/John Clute, from the Science Fiction Encyclopedia online.
Burroughs was a popular and prolific writer penning nearly 80 novels. Our list here (the majority new to stock) are primarily first editions, a wide selection with many in dust jacket and a number of signed or inscribed books by Burroughs.
75TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER CELEBRATING THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF A HARDCOVER NOVEL BY EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS: TARZAN OF THE APES.
Chicago, IL, 1989. 8 1/2 x 11", pictorial wrappers. Souvenir magazine for the dinner held at The Adventurer's Club of Chicago, 21 October 1989. Includes articles about the Chicago roots of Burroughs and his publisher A.C. McClurg, as well as reprinting a draft letter from Ellen St. John to Caz Cazedessus.
THE READER'S GUIDE TO BARSOOM AND AMTOR.
[New York: Richard Lupoff, 1963]. 8 1/2 x 11", pp. [1-2] 3-84, illustration by Roy G. Krenkel, Al Williamson and fold out chart of Barsoom, Printed cover sheet over printed green wrappers, stapled. Second edition. Articles by Donald A. Wollheim, Richard A. Lupoff, David G. Van Arnam, and Larry Ivie.
A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY BIBLIOGRAPHY OF EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS.
West Kingston, RI: Published by Donald M. Grant, 1964. Octavo, numerous illustrations, cloth. The definitive (revised) edition. [Reference: Burgess, Reference Guide to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror 305].
APACHE DEVIL.
Tarzana, California: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1933]. Octavo. pp. [1-4] 5 [6-8] 9-310 [311: ads] [312: blank], five inserted plates with illustrations by Studley O. Burroughs, original pebbled blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in orange, top edge stained orange. First edition. Sequel to THE WAR CHIEF (1927). [Reference: Heins AD-1].
AT THE EARTH'S CORE.
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1922. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-277 [278: blank] [279-282: ads], nine inserted plates with illustrations by J. Allen St. John, original gray-green cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. Prehistoric men and beasts are discovered in the earth's hollow interior. The first of the six novels comprising the Pellucidar series, first published as a four-part serial in ALL-STORY WEEKLY, 4 April through 25 April, 1914. Filmed in 1976 with Doug McClure in the title role. [Reference: Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-25; (1981) 1-29; (1987) 1-15; (1995) 1-15; and (2004) II-191. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 311. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 104. Survey of Science Fiction Literature I, pp. 93-6. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02269. Heins AEC-1].
AT THE EARTH'S CORE.
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1922. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-277 [278: blank] [279-282: ads], nine inserted plates with illustrations by J. Allen St. John, original gray-green cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. Prehistoric men and beasts are discovered in the earth's hollow interior. The first of the six novels comprising the Pellucidar series, first published as a four-part serial in ALL-STORY WEEKLY, 4 April through 25 April, 1914. Filmed in 1976 with Doug McClure in the title role. [Reference: Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-25; (1981) 1-29; (1987) 1-15; (1995) 1-15; and (2004) II-191. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 311. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 104. Survey of Science Fiction Literature I, pp. 93-6. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02269. Heins AEC-1].
BACK TO THE STONE AGE.
Tarzana, California: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1937]. Octavo, pp. [1-4] 5-318 [319: ads] [320: blank], seven inserted plates with illustrations by John Coleman Burroughs, original pebbled blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in orange, top edge stained red, fore-edge untrimmed, bottom edge rough trimmed. First edition. The fifth Pellucidar novel. The adventure of Wilhelm von Horst, a member of the Jason Gridley/Tarzan expedition to Pellucidar. [Reference: Angenot and Khouri, "An International Bibliography of Prehistoric Fiction," SFS, VIII (March 1981), 42. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02271. Heins BSA-1. Zeuschner 25].
THE BANDIT OF HELL'S BEND ...
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1925. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-316, inserted frontispiece with illustration by Modest Stein, original blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. 5000 copies printed. [Reference: Heins BHB-1].
THE BEASTS OF TARZAN ...
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1916. Octavo, pp. [1-12] 1-336 [337] [338-340] [note: first and last leaves are blanks], illustrations by J. Allen St. John, original green cloth, front panel stamped in gold and blind, spine panel stamped in gold. First edition. 19,500 copies printed. The third Tarzan novel. [Reference: Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 317. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 105. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02272. Heins BTa-1].
THE BEASTS OF TARZAN.
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1916. Octavo, pp. [1-12] 1-336 [337] [338-340] [note: first and last leaves are blanks], illustrations by J. Allen St. John, original green cloth, front panel stamped in gold and blind, spine panel stamped in gold. First edition. 19,500 copies printed. The third Tarzan novel. Tarzan searches for Jane and his kidnapped son. [Reference: Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 317. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 105. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02272. Heins BTa-1. Zeuschner 43].
![Item #31188 BEYOND THIRTY [and] THE MAN-EATER. Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://jwkbooks.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/31188.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1695408451)
BEYOND THIRTY [and] THE MAN-EATER.
N.p., n.d. [1955?]. Large octavo, two volumes: pp. [1-2] [1] 2-57 [58: blank]; [1-2] [1] 2-50, offset from typewritten copy, plain wrappers. Second edition of BEYOND THIRTY and first edition of THE MAN-EATER. Limited to 300 copies. Both volumes published without authorization and anonymously circa 1955 by Lloyd A. Eshbach. "Beyond Thirty" was first published in ALL AROUND MAGAZINE, February 1916 and "The Man-Eater" was first published as a serial in a New York city newspaper, THE EVENING WORLD, November 15-20, 1915. This "book" version of "Beyond Thirty" was preceded by an earlier anonymously produced 102-page hectographed booklet dated February 1953. [Reference: Heins, p. 187].
CARSON OF VENUS.
Tarzana, California: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1939]. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [1-4] 5 [6-8] 9-312 [313: ads] [314-318: blank] [last two leaves are blanks], six inserted plates with illustrations by John Coleman Burroughs, original blue cloth, front and spine panel stamped in orange, top edge stained red, other edges rough trimmed. First edition. Inscribed and signed by Burroughs on the front free end paper. "... the third and by far the finest book in the series [of Venus novels]." - Survey of Science Fiction Literature I, pp. 298-302. [Reference: Heins CV-1. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, Additions].
CARSON OF VENUS.
Tarzana, California: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1939]. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [1-4] 5 [6-8] 9-312 [313: ads] [314-318: blank] [last two leaves are blanks], six inserted plates with illustrations by John Coleman Burroughs, original blue cloth, front and spine panel stamped in orange, top edge stained red, other edges rough trimmed. First edition. "... the third and by far the finest book in the series [of Venus novels]." - Survey of Science Fiction Literature I, pp. 298-302. [Reference: Heins CV-1. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, Additions].
THE CAVE GIRL...
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1925. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-323 [324: blank], frontispiece by J. Allen St. John, original blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. First binding with "A. C. McCLURG / & CO" at base of spine panel. 5000 copies printed. [Reference: Angenot and Khouri, "An International Bibliography of Prehistoric Fiction," SFS, VIII (March 1981), 42. Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 3-59. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 333. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 106. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02277. Heins CaG-1].
THE CHESSMEN OF MARS.
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1922. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-375 [376: blank], original red cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. Fifth book of the Mars series. 12,500 copies printed. [Reference: Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 308. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02278. Heins CM-1].
THE CHESSMEN OF MARS.
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1922. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-375 [376: blank], eight inserted plates with illustrations by J. Allen St. John, eight inserted plates with illustrations by J. Allen St. John, original red cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. 12,500 copies printed. Fifth book of the Mars series. [Reference: Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 308. Heins CM-1].
ESCAPE ON VENUS ...
Tarzana, California: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1946]. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [1-6] 7 [8-10] 11-347 [348-350: blank] [note: first and last leaves are blanks], five inserted plates with illustrations by John Coleman Burroughs, original blue pebbled cloth, front and spine panels stamped in orange, top edge stained orange, fore-edge untrimmed, endpaper map. First edition. Fourth book of the Venus series. [Reference: Heins EV-1].
ESCAPE ON VENUS ...
Tarzana, California: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Publishers, [1946]. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [1-6] 7 [8-10] 11-347 [348-350: blank] [note: first and last leaves are blanks], five inserted plates with illustrations by John Coleman Burroughs, original blue pebbled cloth, front and spine panels stamped in orange, top edge stained orange, fore-edge untrimmed, endpaper map. First edition. Fourth book of the Venus series. [Reference: Heins EV-1].
THE ETERNAL LOVER.
Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co., 1925. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-316, inserted frontispiece with illustration by J. Allen St. John, original blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. [Reference: Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 3-60. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 316. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 332. Heins EL-1].
A FIGHTING MAN OF MARS...
New York: Metropolitan Books, Inc. Publishers, [1931]. Octavo, pp. [1-6] 7-319 [320: blank], inserted frontispiece with illustration by Hugh Hutton, original red mesh weave cloth, front and spine panels stamped in yellow-green, top edge stained green. First edition, first binding with "METROPOLITAN" at base of spine panel. Seventh book of the Mars series. [Reference: Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 310. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02281. Heins FMM-1].
A FIGHTING MAN OF MARS...
New York: Metropolitan Books, Inc. Publishers, [1931]. Octavo, pp. [1-6] 7-319 [320: blank], inserted frontispiece with illustration by Hugh Hutton, original red mesh weave cloth, front and spine panels stamped in yellow-green, top edge stained green. First edition, first binding with "METROPOLITAN" at base of spine panel. Seventh book of the Mars series. [Reference: Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 310. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02281. Heins FMM-1].
THE GIRL FROM HOLLYWOOD ...
New York: The Macaulay Company, [1923]. Octavo, pp. [1-8] 9-320 [note: first leaf is a blank], inserted frontispiece with illustration by P. J. Monahan, original pictorial coarse mesh weave red cloth, front and spine panels stamped in yellow-green. First edition, first printing. Bound in coarse mesh weave red cloth lettered in yellow-green; sheets quadruple sewn; the frontispiece caption reads, "The Director's eyes snapped.... 'Only a camera man/and myself are here' he said." [Reference: Currey, p. 88 (printing A, binding A). Heins GH (not recording this binding)].
THE GODS OF MARS ...
Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1918. Octavo, pp. [i-vi] vii-xi [xii] 1-348, inserted frontispiece with illustration by Frank E. Schoonover, original red cloth, front panel stamped in black and blind, spine panel stamped in black. First edition. Total of 10,000 copies printed. There were multiple printings, at least two, last dated 1919. Second book of the Mars series, John Carter returns to Mars. [Reference: Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-27. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 305. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 108. In 333. Bleiler (1978), p. 35. Reginald 02282. Heins GM-1].
THE ILLUSTRATED TARZAN BOOKS NO. 1...
New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, [1929]. Octavo, pp. [1-4] 5-79 [80: ads], cloth backed pictorial boards. First edition, first printing. Illustrated by Hal Foster from his daily comic strip. [Reference: Heins TA-11].
THE ILLUSTRATED TARZAN BOOKS NO. 3: THE BEASTS OF TARZAN...
Kansas City, MO: House of Greystoke, [1971]. 8 1/2 x 11", 336 illustrations by Rex Maxon, pictorial wrappers. First edition. The novel, The Beasts of Tarzan, picturized by Rex Maxon.