Ballard, J. G. Millennium People. Flamingo, 2003. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight wrinkling at head and heel, signed by Ballard on a Waterston’s bookstore bookplate on the title page. Bought off eBay for $45.
Did you know that Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Michael Didra published a book on Arthur Conan Doyle? Neither did I until I saw a signed first available from The Mysterious Bookshop for cover price.
Dirda, Michael. On Conan Doyle. Princeton University Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with publisher’s information card laid in. Critical book on Arthur Conan Doyle, covering both Sherlock Holmes and his other works. Bought at a dealer discount.
Dirda is an astute literary critic who also covers science, and I’m passingly acquainted with him. (He’s also bought the occasional book from me.)
A new book from Subterranean Press and a trade first I just never managed to pick up.
Lansdale, Joe R. The Thicket. Mullholland Books/Little Brown, 2013. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought for $5 as part of the Lansdale documentary fundraiser.
Lansdale, Joe R. Fishing for Dinosaurs. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #367 of 2500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought from the publisher at the usual discount. Really nice endpapers…
I picked up two signed hardback graphic novels on eBay:
Ellison, Harlan, and Ken Steacy. Night and the Enemy. Graphetti Designs, 1987. First edition hardback graphic novel, #743 of 1,500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine- copy with slight bumping of bottom points in a Fine- translucent printed Mylar dust jacket with a few tiny indentations. Set in Ellison’s Earth-Kyba War universe. Bought off eBay for $30.
Hill, Joe (with Jason Ciaramella and Vic Malhotra). Thumbprint. IDW, 2013. First edition, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued, signed by Hill. Based on the Hill novella. Bought off eBay for $30.
I didn’t manage to break it up into two posts this year, so this is a roundup of every book I bought (or that came in) between January 1 and December 31, 2020. Most, but not all, of these were already listed in blog posts between March 2020 and February 2021:
Adams, Douglas. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. Simon & Schuster, 1987. First edition hardback (simultaneous with the UK Heinemann edition), a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought for $9.99.
Ballard, J. G. The Terminal Beach. Gollancz, 1964. First hardback edition (preceded by the Berkley paperback), a Near Fine copy with small owner’s name on FFE, small Australian bookstore sticker at bottom inside front cover near gutter, uniform dust soiling to top and side edges, and slight bumping at head and heel, in a Very Good+ price-clipped dust jacket with a 3/16″ chip at heel, shallow chipping at points, slight dust staining to spine and edges. A fairly nice copy of a key Ballard short story collection, including the title story and “The Drowned Giant.” Goddard & Pringle, J. G. Ballard: The First Twenty Years, 54. Currey, page 23. Bought at auction for A$500 plus shipping. Replaces an Ex-Library copy.
Barksdale, Dante, with Grace Kearney. Growing Up Barksdale: A True Baltimore Story. No publisher listed, printed 2020. Trade paperback POD reprint, a Fine copy. Autobiography by a former Baltimore gang member who’s family’s story provided some of the grist for David Simon’s The Wire. A Christmas gift from Dwight.
Beaumont, Charles. The Magic Man and Other Science-Fantasy Stories. Fawcett Gold Medal, 1965. First edition paperback original, a Very Good- copy with crease across bottom front corner, spine creasing and abrasions, age darkening to pages and general wear. Reginald, Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature Volume 1, page 40. Obtained free.
Beaumont, Charles. Shadow Play. Panther, 1964. First UK edition and first edition under this title, a Very Good- copy with chipper bottom front corner, spine creasing, age darkening to pages and general wear. Originally published in the U.S. in hardback as The Hunger and Other Stories. Reginald, Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature Volume 1, page 40. Some overlap between these two. Obtained free.
Bennett, Robert Jackson. In the Shadows of Men. Subterranean, 2020. First edition hardback, #134 of 1,000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Novella by the author of Mr. Shivers and Company Man.
Bethke, Bruce. Headcrash. Warner Books, 1995. Advanced reading copy of the paperback original first edition, also mass market paperback size, a Fine copy, signed by the author. Bethke was doing some pioneering cyberpunk work (indeed, his story “Cyberpunk” probably coined the word in 1980, but wasn’t published until 1983), but most of it didn’t get published until after the 1980s. This is his first stand-alone non-tie-in novel. Philip K. Dick award winner. Obtained directly from the author.
Blaylock, James P. The Gobblin’ Society. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #259 of 1000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Blaylock’s latest Steampunk Langdon St. Ives adventure.
Blaylock, James P. The Magic Spectacles. Morrigan Publications, 1991. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with a full page inscription to SF writer Scott Cupp and his wife Sandy: “For Scott & Sandi,/This loony children’s book, starring/my sons at what now seems to/me to be an impossibly young/age. Here’s to Italian food &/trips to California. Cheers,/Jim.” Replaces an unsigned copy.
Blish, James. Black Easter. Doubleday, 1968. An Ex-library copy I bought for $4 for the quite bright Near Fine+ dust jacket to marry to another copy.
Bond, Nelson. Nightmares and Daydreams. Arkham House, 1968. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with slightly bumped points, in a Fine- dust jacket with slight wear at points and the barest trace of dust soiling to white rear cover. Signed by Bond. Joshi, Sixty Years of Arkham House 98. Jaffrey, Horrors and Unpleasantries, 106. Nielsen, 104. Derleth, Thirty Years of Arkham House, 96. Currey (1979), page 49. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, page 38. Bought off eBay for $35.
Bradbury, Ray. Forever and the Earth. Croissant & Company, 1984. First edition hardback, #20 of 300 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a glassine dust wrapper, as issued. Script for a radio dramatization. Bought for $50.
Bradbury, Ray. A Chapbook for Burnt-Out Priests, Rabbis and Ministers. Cemetery Dance, 2001. First edition hardback, a PC copy of 350 signed and numbered copies, a Fine copy save a dime-sized spot of discoloration on front free endpaper (possibly a paper flaw), in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine slipcase. Mixture of prose and poetry. Supplements a trade copy. Bought for $29.99.
Bradbury, Ray. The Ray Bradbury Chronicles Volume 4. Byron Preiss Visual Publications, 1993. First edition hardback, #548 of 1,000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought for $35. I now lack only volumes 1, 3 and 5. Weist, Ray Bradbury: An Illustrated Life, page 183.
(Bradbury, Ray) James Tucker and Erin Mckee, editors. Touchstone: Celebrating the Lives of Fritz Leiber and Ray Bradbury. Mysterious Stranger Press, 1978. First edition trade paperback original, a Near Fine copy with slight crease to bottom front corner, a stray ink mark to bottom outer pageblock edge, and a touch of grubbiness to the uncoated covers, signed by Bradbury and McKee, with 183/977 written at the bottom right corner of the title page (presumably the limitation). Odd mélange of festschrift, bits of fiction from the two authors, a bibliography, etc. Includes contributions from Harlan Ellison, Poul Anderson, William F. Nolan, Richard Lupoff (as Ova Hamlet), etc. Reginald, Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature 1975-1991, 29608. Not in Currey. Not in The Undead (which had a lot of obscure Bradbury items listed). Not in Morgan, Fritz Leiber: a Bibliography 1934—1979. Not in Staicar, Fritz Leiber. Not in a whole damn lot of things it should have been in (but it is in the ISFDB). Found literally in Dreamhaven’s basement, and I think I ended up paying something like $16.
Bryant, Edward, and Harlan Ellison. Phoenix Without Ashes. Fawcett, 1975. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine+ copy with one faint spine crease and a few touches of edgewear, otherwise apparently new and unread. Currey, page 76 and 178. Richmond, Fingerprints on the Sky, page 108. Supplements a slightly less attractive copy. Now I can file one copy under Bryant and one under Ellison. Bought for $2 from a fundraiser sale for the Joe R. Lansdale documentary All Hail The Popcorn King.
Butler, Octavia. Unexpected Stories. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #391 of 1000 copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Contains two newly unearthed stories, plus an introduction by Nisi Shawl and an afterword by Butler’s agent and literary executor Merrilee Heifetz.
Campbell, Ramsey. A Little Green Book of Grins & Gravity. Borderlands Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #498 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. A novella, “The Enigma of the Flat Policeman,” supposedly in the manner of John Dickson Carr, along with an introduction and an afterword.
Castle, Mort. A Little Cobalt Book of Old Blue Stories…And Stuff. Borderlands Press, 2018. First edition hardback, #492 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Nine stories, one original to this volume.
Chiang, Ted. Exhalation. Subterranean Press, 2020. First signed, limited edition (preceded by the Knopf hardback), #212 of 300 copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought from the publisher at the usual discount. Now sold out from the publisher. I will have a very small number of copies available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
Crouch, Blake. A Little Orange Book of Obsessions. Borderlands Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #498 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Three stories, one from an online-only source. Now out of stock from the publisher. I still have copies available through Lame Excuse Books.
Davidson, Avram, editor. The Best From Fantasy and Science Fiction Fourteenth Series. Doubleday, 1965. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Near Fine- dust jacket with a 1/16″ chip at head, slight edgewear a heel, and some darkening/dust soiling to white rear cover. Currey, page 131.
de Camp, L. Sprague. Warlocks and Warriors. Putnam, 1970. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with five tiny ink “x”s next to stories on the copyright page and a trace of bend at head and heel, in a Fine- dust jacket with traces of edgewear along flap folds. Signed by de Camp. Includes Zelazny’s “The Bells of Shoredan.” The Zelazny and others include maps for their stories that I’m not sure I’ve seen anywhere else.
Delaney, Samuel R. Babel-17. Ace, 1966. First edition paperback original (no statement of printing and 40¢ price on cover, as per Currey), a Near Fine copy with rubbing along front spine join, slight edgewear, and slight age darkening to pages. Nebula Award winner for best novel. Currey, page 139. Bought for $2 from the Lansdale documentary fundraiser sale.
Delaney, Samuel R. City of a Thousand Suns. Ace, 1965. First edition paperback original (no statement of printing and 40¢ price on cover, as per Currey), a Near Fine+ copy with considerable foxing to inside covers, age darkening to pages, and trace of dust soiling to white covers. Currey, page 139. Bought for $2 from the Lansdale documentary fundraiser sale.
de la Ree, Gerry. Fantasy Collector’s Annual – 1975. Gerry de la Ree, 1974. First edition hardback, #50 of 80 bound hardback copies a Fine- copy with top rear spine hinge gutter paste-down starting to tear, otherwise a nice, square copy. Miscellany of fantasy-related items, including Virgal Finley art, facsimiles of letters from Seabury Quinn to Finley, J.J. Weguelin’s art of H. Rider Haggard’s Montezuma’s Daughter, a note on the secret reprint edition of August Derleth’s Someone in the Dark, facsimile examples of inscriptions by several fantasy notables including, Ray Cummuings, A. A. Merrit, and Wernher von Braun, and a reprint of a The Mars Gazette, a chemical company advertising pamphlet in science fictional form extolling the virtues of “liquid peptonoids.” Chalker/Owings, page 128. Bought from an online dealer for $60.
De Palma, Brian and Susan Lehman. Are Snakes Necessary? Hard-Case Crime, 2020. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by both authors. Bought from The Mysterious Bookstore at a dealer discount.
Dick, Philip K. Mary and the Giant. Arbor House, 1987. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. For some reason I ended up with a copy of the UK first edition andthe Ultramarine Press leather-bound-with-the-cancelled check edition, but never picked up the American trade edition (the true first) until now. Precious Artifacts, MS5.2. Bought for $20 from Dreamhaven.
Dick, Philip K. The Slave Race. Sangrail Press, 2020. First edition chapbook, #69 of 250 copies, a Fine copy, with additional linocut of the cardstock frontispiece illustration affixed inside the firstpage and note from publisher laid in. First separate publication of a 15-year old Dick’s first SF short story that appeared in the Berkeley Daily Gazette Young Author’s Club column on May 8th, 1944. Bought directly from the publisher at a dealer discount.
Disch, Thomas. Fun With Your New Head. Doubleday, 1971. First U.S. edition and first edition under this title, previously published as Under Compulsion in the UK three years before, a Near Fine copy with purple remainder speckling at heel, owners name of “Scott Imes” written in ink on inside top back cover under flap, and slight bend at head and heel, in a Fine- dust jacket with slight age darkening to spine and a few traces of dust soiling. Inscribed by Disch: “For Margee & Scott,/Best,/Thomas M. Disch.” Imes was the long-time manager of Uncle Hugo’s SF bookstore store. Currey, page 164. Bought for $28.
Disch, Thomas M. Echo Round His Bones. Berkley Medallion, 1967. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine+ copy with slight edgewear, touches of wear elsewhere, and usual slight foxing and slight age-darkening of pages. Currey (1979), page 164. Obtained free.
Disch, Thomas M. The Genocides. Berkley, 1965. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with just a trace of edgewear and the usual foxing and age darkening to pages. Supplements the UK first hardback edition. Currey (1979), page 164. His first novel. Obtained free.
Disch, Thomas M. White Fang Goes Dingo. Arrow Books, 1970 (interestingly, Currey (both 1979 and 2002) says 1971). First edition paperback original under this title (an expanded version of 102 H-Bombs), a Fine- copy with slight edgewear and slight age-darkening to edges of pages. Currey (1979), page 165.
Dozois, Gardner, with Michael Swanwick. ‘She Saved Us From World War Three’: Gardner Dozois Remembers James Tiptree, Jr. Temporary Culture, 2020. First edition chapbook original, one of 225 copies printed, a Fine copy in a Fine black envelope, as issued. Swanwick interviews Dozois on the subject of the reclusive Alice Sheldon AKA James Tiptree, Jr., who corresponded with Dozois and met him in person at least once. Haven’t read it yet, but the story Gardner told was that as a CIA analyst, Sheldon was told to look at satellite photographs the government, fearful of a nuclear first strike, thought showed hundred of mobile Soviet missile launchers. She told them they were hay drying carts for the fall harvest. (Neal Barrett, Jr. used to tell a story about how he had prevented World War III. He was with the army in West Germany in the late 1950s, and his night watch superior had gotten liquored up and wanted to invade East Germany. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea, sir.”)
Dozois, Gardner, editor. The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Thirtieth Annual Collection. St. Martin’s, 2013. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought from Dreamhaven for cover price minus 20%. The remaining volumes I lack are 15, 23, 24, 27 and 28.
Effinger, George Alec. The Exile Kiss. Doubleday Foundation, 1991. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a wrinkle at heel in a Fine- dist jacket with just a trace of darkening to the very tops of the white flaps. Inscribed by Effinger: “To Ed —/With supreme best wishes/(Which I haven’t bestowed even/on Willie or Fred) —/At Armadillocon 13 —/George.” I strongly suspect this book was inscribed to Ed Graham, who was the chair of Armadillocon 12. (His wife, Casey Hamilton, chaired Armadillocon 13, and together they chaired Armadillocon 16.) Willie Siros and Fred Duarte were other Armadillocon chairs. Replaces an unsigned trade first in my library, and supplements a copy of the signed/limited state.
Egan, Greg. Dispersion. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #173 of 1000 numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. “In a world not quite our own, every living thing is born into one of six discrete ‘fractions’ that are incompatible with—and often invisible to—each other. These fractions have coexisted peacefully for centuries, but now a disease has appeared that seems to drag the infected parts of the body into a different fraction. The effects are devastating. Individual victims suffer painful, protracted deaths. Entire communities turn against one another, and a state approaching perpetual war takes hold.”
Ellison, Harlan. Getting in the Wind. Kicks Books/Edgework Abbey, 2012. First edition paperback original, a Fine copy with four postcards, a pair of dice, a signature plate signed by Ellison, in a dropbox, with a picture of the cover pasted on front, in a plastic bag with a seal for “Sex Gang Perfume.” (This one with the seal broken so I could look at the contents.) An elaborate production. This copy and the following reprint all the stories from Ellison’s very early PBO Sex Gang, published as by Paul Merchant in 1959, along with other very early Ellison stories. Richmond, Fingerprints in the Sky, page 52. Bought for $50 off eBay, 1/3rd the original offering price.
Ellison, Harlan. Partners in Wonder. Walker, 1971. First edition hardback, a Near Fine+ copy with a light, dime-sized black smudge along rear spine-join, in a Near Fine- dust jacket with two quarter-sized light charcoal colored stains on the spine panel, and slight edgewear at head and heel. Inscribed by Ellison: “For Mila,/Merry Christmas/1977/Harlan Ellison.” Collection of collaborative stories. Supplements a nicer copy signed by Robert Silverberg (but not Ellison). Fingerprints on the Sky, page 56. Currey, page 178.
Ellison, Harlan. Pulling a Train. Kicks Books/Edgework Abbey, 2012. First edition paperback original, a Fine copy with four postcards, a switchblade comb, a signature plate signed by Ellison, in a dropbox, with a picture of the cover pasted on front, in a plastic bag with a seal for “Sex Gang Perfume.” (This one with the seal unbroken.) An elaborate production. This copy and the above reprint all the stories from Ellison’s very early PBO Sex Gang, published as by Paul Merchant in 1959, along with other very early Ellison stories. Richmond, Fingerprints in the Sky, page 56. Bought for $50 off eBay, 1/3rd the original offering price.
(Ellison, Harlan) Ellen Weil and Gary K. Wolfe. Harlan Ellison: The Edge of Forever. Ohio State University Press, 2002. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine- copy with bottom outer edges slightly bumped. Bought for $12.49.
Finn, Mark. Gods New and Used. Clockwork Storybook, 2001. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy, signed by Finn, with a “Signed by Author at Book People” sticker on it. Collection of linked stories. Bought at Half Price Books for $10.
Gaiman, Neil. The View from the Cheap Seats. William Morrow, 2016. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Gaiman. Collection of non-fiction (essays, interview, etc.).
Grant, Charles L. (Hank Wagner and Kathryn Ptacek, editors). A Little Black book of Quiet Horror. Borderlands Press, 2019. First edition hardback, #498 of 500 numbered copies signed by the editors, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Four stories. Now out of print from the publisher.
Greenberg, Martin H. Dragons: The Greatest Stories. MJF Books, 1997. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Anthology. A few mysteries about this copy: Has a numberline ending in one (which would typically indicate a first edition rather than a book club edition), but no price on the dust jacket (which would typically indicate the opposite), and has a red binding along the spine. The ISFDB lists two editions, one at a price of $19.95, and the other at a price of $7.98, the latter of which it indicates is taken from the Locus database, which also lists only one edition of the book and that as an instant remainder (which would explain the lack of a price). The Don Maitz cover appears to be a cropped example of the fuller dust jacket illustration that originally appeared on Kathleen Sky’s Witchdame in 1985; copies of this anthology with green spine and the fuller illustration (still with no price on the dust jacket) appear to be second printings. Still another mystery is the not-quite-right Zelazny signatures on the title page and at his story “The George Business,” which would be a neat trick since Zelazny died in 1995. No idea if Bob or someone else created the spurious signatures. It would seem that this instant remainder edition was done first and the pricier retail edition (if it even exists) may have been done later.
Haldeman, Joe. War Stories. Night Shade Books, 2005. First edition hardback, one of 175 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Omnibus editions of Haldeman’s Vietnam War stories and poems, including his novel War Year. On one hand, 175 is a pretty low limitation for a Haldeman limited. On the other hand, literally the only difference is the signed limitation page. Supplements a trade copy inscribed to me. Bought off eBay for $24.50.
(Heinlein, Robert A.) Patterson, William H., Jr. Robert A. Heinlein In Dialogue With His Century — Volume 2: The Man Who Learned Better | 1948—1988. The second half of Patterson’s mammoth biography. Bought at Half Price Books for $17.49.
Hill, Joe. Full Throttle. Subterranean Press, 2020. First signed, limited edition thus, #43 of 750 numbered copies signed by Hill and artist Dave McKean, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Fine slipcase. An elaborate, lavishly illustrated edition in a square form-factor. I have copies available for sale through Lame Excuse Books.
Holkins, Jerry and Mike Krahulik. Penny Arcade 6: The Halls Below. Del Rey, 2010. First edition hardback, #885 of 1000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy with inset color cover illustration, sans dust jacket, as issued. Collection of Penny Arcade cartoons. Bought from the Penny Arcade store for $30.
Howard, Robert E. Skull-Face And Others. Arkham House, 1946. First edition hardback, a Near Fine copy with slight bumping at points, slight bend at head and heel, trace of rubbing to center of gold designs along spine, in a Near Fine dust jacket with slight sun-fading to spine, slight wear at points, a 1/16″ closed tear at head, slight wrinkling at top right cover, a touch of dust soiling around just the edge of white rear cover, and blindside foxing to dust jacket; all in all, an extremely nice copy of this key Howard and Arkham House work. Joshi, Sixty Years of Arkham House, 17. Jaffrey, Horrors and Unpleasantries, 19. Nielsen, Arkham House Books, 17. Derleth, Thirty Years of Arkham House, 17. Currey, page 251. Bleiler, Guide to Supernatural Fiction, 852. Locke, Spectrum of Fantasy, page 117. Bleiler, Checklist (1978), page 104. Bleiler, Checklist (1948), page 153. Chalker/Owings (1991), page 23 (“What The Outsider and Others is to Lovecraft, this book is to Howard”). Kemp, Anthem Series, pages 305-6. Barron, Horror Literature, 3-95 (but not in the companion Fantasy Literature volume). One of four “tall” Arkham house volumes, of which I now have two. Bought for $382.46 from a fellow Biblio dealer.
Ipcar, Dahlov. A Dark Horn Blowing. Viking Press, 1978. First edition hardback, a Near Fine copy with slight bend at head and heel, a short, thin line of rust-colored staining at very bottom of front free endpaper, and a trace of age-darkening to pages, in a Near Fine dust jacket with a vertical crease running along the edge of the rear flap. Fantasy novel of a woman kidnapped to elfland to nurse a newborn elf prince. Never heard of it, but Bob Pylant said it was a good novel. In the Encyclopedia of fantasy, John Clute calls her work “atmospheric and densely conceived.”
Kelly, James Patrick. King of the Dogs, Queen of the Cats. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #131 of 1000 signed numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Novella about a circus of uplifted cats and dogs.
King, Stephen. Lisey’s Story. Scribner, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought at Goodwill for $3.99. I generally don’t pick up King’s new trade editions because I know they will show up used cheap. And I generally can’t afford the signed limited editions unless they’re coming out from a publisher I’m already a regular customer of and can pick them up at a (usually slight) discount pre-publication. But $3.99 for a perfect copy falls into “good enough” territory.
Kuttner, Henry and C.L. Moore (as Lewis Padgett). The Day He Died. Duell, Sloan and Pierce, 1947. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a little bit of bend at head and heel in a Near Fine+ dust jacket with small chip at heel and associated 1/2″ closed tear, lus a trace of wear at points. Mystery. I saw a less attractive copy in an online auction go for considerably more than I was willing to spend, so I bought this (the nicest copy online) from a notable SF dealer for $220.
Lansdale, Joe R. Act of Love. Zebra Books, 1981. First edition paperback original, a Very Good copy with 1/4″ chip at top front cover near spine, slight spine creasing and slight general wear. Inscribed by Lansdale: “For Robert,/Hope you like it). Joe Lansdale.” (Robert said he had another copy of this title). His first novel. Supplements at least four other editions (including the Kinnell hardback first), but I lacked the PBO until now. Person, “Joe Lansdale: Notes Toward A Bibliography,” Nova Express Volume 3, Number 4, page 26, I.1. Hankow, A Checklist of Joe Lansdale, A1.
Lansdale, Joe R. Act of Love. Cemetery Dance, 1992. First limited edition hardback (preceded by both the Leisure books PBO and the Kinnell UK hardback), #465 of 750 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine slipcase. Bought off eBay for $36 (list price is $50).
Lansdale, Joe R. The Big Blow. Subterranean Press, 2000. First edition hardback, #178 of 250 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine slipcase. Bought for $30.40 after dealer discount.
Lansdale, Joe R. The Big Blow. Subterranean Press, 2000. First edition hardback, copy of D of 13 lettered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine traycase. Bought for $124.80 after dealer discount. Thirteen is an awfully small number for a Lansdale lettered edition…
Lansdale, Joe R. Bleeding Shadows. Subterranean Press, 2013. First edition hardback, #78 of 250 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Fine slipcase, with publisher’s bookmark laid in. Supplements a trade edition (which has a different dust jacket). Bought from an online dealer for $75.
Lansdale, Joe R. The Boar. Subterranean Press, 1998. First edition hardback, a PC copy of 26 signed, numbered, quarter leather-bound copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued, with a PC copy of the 1/750 signed/limited (regular) edition, a Fine copy with a Fine dust jacket, with an advanced uncorrected proof, a Fine- copy with a touch of wear at head and heel, signed by Lansdale, all together in a Fine slipcase. Chalker/Owings (2002), page 853, which states textual differences between the lettered and numbered editions (though pagination seems identical), and fails to note the included proof. Bought off eBay for $125.
Lansdale, Joe R. The Boar. Night Shade Books, 2009. First edition hardback thus, #7 of 150 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought from an Internet book dealer for $30. Supplements the Subterranean Press first edition. Originally announced as a Mark V. Ziesing book under the title Git Back, Satan!.
Lansdale, Joe R. Deadman’s Road. Subterranean Press, 2010. First edition hardback, #18 of 200 copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Fine slipcase. Supplements a signed trade copy. Bought off an Internet book dealer for $50.40.
Lansdale, Joe R. For A Few Stories More. Subterranean Press, 2002. First edition hardback, #550 of 1,000 copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Supplements the Lettered edition, but weirdly I never picked up this trade edition until now. Bought from Kasey Lansdale.
Lansdale, Joe R. Hap and Leonard: Blood and Lemonade. Short Scary Tales (SST) Press, 2020. First hardback edition and first signed limited edition (preceded by the Tachyon trade paperback), #101 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. I have copies available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lansdale, Joe R. Jane Goes North. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #264 of 2,000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Road trip novel. I have copies available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lansdale, Joe R. Joe R. Lansdale’s Christmas With The Dead. Write-On Movies, 2012. Presumed first edition (?) DVD, a new copy, inscribed to me by Joe R. Lansdale and signed by Kasey Lansdale. I don’t usually record DVDs I buy here, but they’re not usually signed. Bought from Kasey Lansdale.
Lansdale, Joe R. The Magic Wagon. BookVoice Publishing, 2018. First edition thus, #408 of 500 signed, numbered hardback copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. This edition includes a rare western story by Joe, “Man With two Lives,” not in any other edition, a new introduction by Joe, and a new afterword by Keith Lansdale. Supplements a signed copy of the Doubleday first edition. Bought from Kasey Lansdale. Now I need to pick up that Crossroad Press limited edition.
Lansdale, Joe R. Of Mice and Minestrone. Tachyon, 2020. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. “Hap and Leonard: The Early Years.” I have copies available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lansdale, Joe R. Paradise Sky. Short Scary Tales (SST) Press, 2016. First UK edition and first limited edition hardback, a PC copy of 350 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and decorated boards. Bought for $30 of eBay.
Lansdale, Joe R. Red Range: A Wild West Adventure. It’s Alive, 2017. First edition hardback graphic novel, the Kickstarter edition, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued. I am unclear on the precedence between this version (with the block cover) and the regular hardback with the red cover. Weird western featuring a hollow earth with dinosaurs and such. I have copies available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lansdale, Joe R. The Sky Done Ripped. Subterranean Press, 2019. First edition hardback, one of 2000 signed copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. New (and final) Ned the Seal adventure. I have copies of this available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lansdale, Joe R. Waltz of Shadows. Subterranean Press, 1999. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Although the limitation calls for a 1/1000 signature page, it’s not in this copy, though it still has the FIRST EDITION/SEPTEMBER 1999 statement, making this a previously unrecorded variant (not in the 2002 Chalker/Owings CD). Bought from Kasey Lansdale. I have one copy of this available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lansdale, Joe R. Wet Juju. Short Scary Tales (SST) Publications, 2020. First edition hardback, #101 of 550 signed, numbered hardbacks, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with SST tissue paper closure sticker laid in. Bought from the publisher at the usual discount, and out of print upon publication. Massive collection. I will have copies available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog, but prepare for it to be pricey.
Lansdale, Joe R. and Keith Lansdale. Big Lizard. Short Scary Tales (SST) Publications, 2020. First edition hardback, #101 of 1,500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. A botched supernatural ceremony gives the protagonist ” the power to transform into a big lizard who can run fast, has incredible strength, and a large tail.” Full color illustrated endpapers and signature page. Looks like fun. I will have copies available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
Lansdale, Joe R., editor. Son of Retro Pulp Tales. Subterranean Press, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Joe and Keith Lansdale. Trade edition. I actually picked up a copy of the limited edition, only to realize that not only did I already have one, but for some reason I hadn’t added the trade edition to my library, even though I already had it in Lame Excuse Books stock. Bought from the publisher at the usual discount way back when. Indeed, I still have copies of this available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lansdale, Keith. Red Range: Pirates of Fireworld. It’s Alive, 2019. First edition comic, a Fine copy, as issued. Lansdale the Younger continues the story. I have copies available through Lame Excuse Books.
Lee, Tanith. Sometimes, After Sunset. Nelson Doubleday/SFBC, 1980. First edition hardback, an omnibus edition of Sabella, or The Blood Stone and Kill the Dead (neither of which had any other hardback editions), a Fine copy in a Near Fine+ dust jacket with slight wear at points, a thin 1/2″ scratch at top front spine join, a trace of rubbing along front flap join bend edge, and slight age darkening to white flaps. Nice early Maitz cover.
Le Guin, Ursula K., editor. Nebula Award Stories 11. Gollancz, 1976. First edition hardback (precedes the U.S. edition by a year), a Fine- copy with slight bend at head and heel, traces of foxing to front free endpaper, and slight dust soiling at head, in a Near Fine copy with spine fading and a trace of edgewear at points. Includes the Nebula-winning Zelazny novella “Home is the Hangman.”
Lovecraft, H.P. A Winter Wish and Other Poems. Whispers Press, 1977. First edition hardback, #160 of 200 signed, numbered hardback signed by editor Tom Collins, publisher Stuart Schiff, and artist Steve Fabian, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine (and very tight) slipcase. Bought from Dreamhaven for $60.
Malzberg, Barry. The Many Worlds of Barry Malzberg. First edition paperback original (no statement of printing on copyright page and $1.25 price, as per Currey), a Fine- copy, with a trace of edgewear and one pinhead-sized black mark near bottom edge of back cover. Short story collection.
Malzberg, Barry. Galaxies. Pyramid, 1975. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with edgewear and moderate darkening to page edges. Pringle SF 100 list #77. Supplements a Gregg Press first hardback edition.
Martin, George R. R. Fire and Blood. Subterranean Press, 2019. First signed, limited edition hardback (the Bantam and Harper Voyager trade hardbacks precede by a year), #619 of 750 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Fine slipcase. A novel set some 300 years before A Song of Fire & Ice proper. A handsome production.
Martin, George R. R., editor. Mississippi Roll. Tor, 2017. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Wild cards novel. Bought at the San Marcos Book Warehouse for $7.99.
Martin, George R. R. Nightflyers. Bluejay Books, no date (but 1985). First edition uncorrected proof of the trade paperback original, a Near Fine+ copy with blue bunching along front spine (not uncommon among proofs), and a 1″ square dragon stamp in red at top right corner of half title page. Bought from Dreamhaven for I think $16.
Martin, George R. R. and Lisa Tuttle. Windhaven. Subterranean Press, 2019. First edition hardback, #259 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Supplements the 1981 Timescape first edition inscribed to me by Martin and Tuttle. It’s been my experience that only a small fraction of Martin’s Game of Thrones fans exhibit any interest in his science fiction and horror work. Bought for $62.50.
Matheson, Richard. Counterfeit Bills. Gauntlet, 2004. First edition chapbook original, a Fine copy, signed by Matheson. Bought off eBay for $36.52.
McCammon, Robert. A Little Amber Book of Wicked Shots. Borderlands Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #498 of 750 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Four stories, all of which involve alcoholic drinks. Plus an extra cocktail recipe in the introduction! I have copies of this available through Lame Excuse Books.
McCarthy, Cormac. All the Pretty Horses. Knopf, 1992. First edition hardback, an Ex-Library copy with all the usual flaws, otherwise Very Good. A true first of his first Pulitzer winner and first book of the Border trilogy. Bought for $6.99.
Meacham, Beth. Terry’s Universe. Tor, 1988. Uncorrected bound proof (trade paperback format) of the hardback first edition, a Fine copy. Tribute anthology to the late Terry Carr. Includes Zelazny’s “Deadstone Donner and the Flintstone Cup.”
Mieville, China. The Scar. Subterranean Press, 2019. First edition hardback, #404 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Supplements a signed copy of the 2002 Macmillan (UK) first edition. Bought for $62.50.
Miller, Jr., Walter M. The Best of Walter M. Miller, Jr. Pocket Books, 1980. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine copy with faint spine creasing and touches of wear. Short story collection, all from the 1950s.
Moorcock, Michael. Legends From The End of Time. Harper & Row, 1976. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with bumping at head and heel in a Near Fine+ dust jacket with slight wear at head and heel, slight age darkening to white rear panel, and slight dust soiling to same. Inscribed by Moorcock: “To Bob,/With all good wishes/from Michael M.” Tanelorn Archives, page 24, a. Precedes the W. H. Allen edition (which I also have).
Moorcock, Michael. The White Wolf’s Son. Warner Aspect, 2005. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Elric/von Beck novel. Bought at Half Price Books for $7.98.
Moore, Ward. Lot & Lot’s Daughter. Tachyon, 1996. First edition hardback, #52 of 100 numbered, leatherbound hardback copies (the only hardback state), copies signed by introduction author Michael Swanwick, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with touches of wear at points and elsewhere. Two linked nuclear holocaust stories. Bought off eBay for $40.
Morrell, David. A Little Gold Book of Protector Tales. Borderlands Press, 2017. First edition hardback, #337 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Three stories, plus an introduction.
Morrow, James. The Continent of Lies. Holt, Reinhardt and Winston, 1984. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, inscribed by Morrow: “For Scott/This book of/dreams & desires…/best wishes,/James Morrow.” Formerly Scott Cupp’s copy.
Niven, Larry & Steven Barnes. The Seascape Tattoo. Tor, 2016. Bought at Half Price Books for $7.99.
Niven, Larry & Jerry Pournelle. The Burning City. Pocket Books, 2000. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by both authors. Set in Niven’s The Magic Goes Away universe. Bought off an Internet book dealer for $9.75.
Niven, Larry & Jerry Pournelle. Burning Tower. Pocket Books, 2005. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by both authors, with certificate of authenticity laid in. Bought off eBay for $25.83.
Perez, Malia A., editor (Joe R. Lansdale). Speculative Poets of Texas. The House of the Fighting Chupacabra Press, 2015. First edition trade paperback original (“First printing” stated), a Fine copy, new and unread. Includes poems from Peter Holland, Joe R. Lansdale, Juan Manuel Perez, Waide Aaron Riddle, and Rie Sheridan Rose. Bought from Amazon.
Pinborough, Sarah. A Little Magenta Book of Malevolence. Borderlands Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #498 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. I have copies of this available for sale through Lame Excuse Books.
Piper, H. Beam. Federation. Ace, 1981. First edition trade paperback edition, a Fine copy, new and unread. Bought at Half Price Books for $3.99.
Proctor, Geo W. Fire at the Center. Fawcett Gold Medal, 1981. First edition paperback original, a near Fine- copy with 1/32″ deep x 1/4″ wide loss at head of top front cover, slight edgewear, rim of foxing to interior covers, and slight age darkening to pages. Novel dedicated to the early Turkey City Writer’s workshop attendees. Obtained free.
Powers, Tim. Forced Perspectives. Charnel House, 2020. First signed/limited edition (the Baen hardback precedes), hardback, #54 of 150 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in decorated boards with a gold-foil sphinx embossed on the front cover (matching the look of Alternate Routes), sans dust jacket, as issued. I have one copy of this available for sale through Lame Excuse Books.
Powers, Tim. The Properties of Rooftop Air. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #277 of 474 numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine slipcase. An Anubis Gates story. I have copies of this available through Lame Excuse Books as well.
Pumelia, Joe, and Bill Wallace (as M. M. Moamrath). The Cruse of the Kritix. “Deathnell Publications, 1932″ (actually Kenneth Donnell, 1976). First edition chapbook original, a Fine copy in a Very Good+ dust jacket with semi-closed 1/4” tear at top front with associated wrinkle, faint spotting along spine, and a few very small tears elsewhere. Lovecraftian parody. Obtained free.
Rice, Jeff (Richard Matheson). The Night Strangler. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with slight glue wrinkling near top of spine and slight spine fading, otherwise new and unread, signed by Richard Matheson. Novel by Jeff Rice based on Matheson’s screenplay for The Night Strangler, the sequel to The Night Stalker and the second TV movie starring Darren McGavin as reporter Carl Kolchak. Bought off eBay for $42. Copies that are both nice and signed by Matheson are uncommon.
Robinson, Kim Stanley. Stan’s Kitchen. NESFA Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #171 of 600 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Short story collection.
Russell, Mary Doria. Doc. Random House, 2011. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Russell. Western novel about Doc Holliday. Bought from The Mysterious Bookstore for $10.
Saberhagen, Fred. Berserker Base. Tor, 1985. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine- copy with a touch of edgewear and slight age-darkening to pages. Theoretically a fix-up novel set in Saberhagen’s Beserker universe, but really more of a Beserker anthology with some filler material by Saberhagen. Includes the Zelazny story “Itself Surprised,” which originally appeared in Omni the year before.
Schiff, Stuart David, editor. The Best of Whispers. Borderlands Press, 1994. First edition hardback, #375 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine slipcase. Signed by all the then-living contributors (Fritz Leiber died in 1992), including Zelazny, Ray Bradbury, Karl Edward Wagner, Russell Kirk, Hugh B. Cave, Lucius Shepard, Jerry Sohl and Alan Ryan. Includes Zelazny’s “The Horses of Lir.”
Scholz, Carter. Cuts. Chris Drumm, 1995. First edition chapbook original, a Fine- copy with slight age darkening to edges. Short story collection. Obtained free,
Shepard, Lucius. The Golden. Mark V. Ziesing, 1993. First edition hardback, #243 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with one 1/16″ closed tear at heel in a Fine- slipcase with a tiny rub at top. Supplements a trade edition signed by Shepard. I saw this on eBay for $24, and the book pricing part of my brain went “That’s a good price…but I bet I can do a little better.” Bought off eBay for a $20 buy-it-now offer. List publication price was $65. Chalker/Owings (2002), page 1003. Part of my plan to pick up every Ziesing book in every state, since I already had most of the trade editions anyway…
Silverberg, Robert. Reflections & Refractions: Thoughts on Science Fiction, Science and Other Matters. Underwood Books, 1997. First edition hardback, #180 of 300 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in decorated boards and Fine slipcase, sans dust jacket, as issued. Collection of essays, most (but not all) from his “Reflections” series of columns in Amazing and Asimov’s. Bought off eBay for $25, exactly half off the original list price of $50.
Silverberg, Robert. Rough Trade. PS Publishing, 2017. First edition hardback, #99 of 100 signed and numbered copies, a Fine copy in decorated boards a Fine dust jacket and a Fine slipcase. Supplements a trade copy. Bought off eBay for $40.
Silverberg, Robert, editor (Vonda N. McIntyre, Marta Randall, Joan D. Vinge). The Crystal Ship. The Science Fiction Book Club (UK)/Reader’s Union, 1981. Book club reprint, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Signed by editor Robert Silverberg, and contributors Marta Randall and Joan D. Vinge (each twice, once on the title page and once at their novella). Bought for $9, marked down from $15 at Half Price Books during a coupon sale just before the lockdown came down.
Simak, Clifford D. and Jeff Sutton. So Bright the Vision b/w The Man Who Saw Tomorrow. Ace Double, 1968. First edition (no statement of printing and price of 60¢, as per Currey), a Very Good+ copy with small chips at corners of Sutton side, spine creasing, name or word on Sutton blurb page. Plus usual foxing. Currey (1979), page 447.
Smith, Brenden Powell. Assassination! The Brick Chronicle of Attempts on the Lives Twelve US Presidents. Skyhorse Publishing, 2013. Lego recreations of presidential assassinations. One of those books you have to buy to prove it actually exists. Bought from Half Price Books for $5.99.
Stephenson, Neal. Seveneves. HarperCollins, 2015. First edition hardback, special signed edition with gold “Signed First Edition” sticker on the cover and “THIS SIGNED EDITION OF/seveneves/by/Neal Stephenson/[signature]/HAS BEEN SPECIALLY BOUND/BY THE PUBLISHER” signature page bound in before the half-title page, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought for $9.99.
Sterling, Bruce. Schismatrix Plus. Ace, 1996. First edition trade paperback original, Near Fine- with slight spine crease, slight sun fading to spine, and edgewear, signed by Sterling. Contains the novel plus the Shaper/Mechanist stories from Crystal Express. I never bothered to pick this up when it came out because I already had first editions of both, but picking up variant titles is classic late-phase book collecting behavior. Bought for $7.49.
Sturgeon, Theodore. Sturgeon Is Alive And Well…. Putnam, 1971. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a tiny bit of bend at head and heel in a Near Fine dust jacket with slight edgewear at head and heel, a bit of dust soiling to white rear panel, and slight age darkening to top of white rear panel and edges of white flaps. Signed by Sturgeon. Short story collection, one I greatly enjoyed reading in my youth. I particularly remember “It Was Nothing—Really!,” about man who figures out that perforations make things stronger, and eventually invents invisible wall of impenetrable nothingness, and “Suicide,” about a man who jumps off a cliff to kill himself, and awakens still alive, hurt, down the cliff, and struggles to climb back up. According to Bought off eBay for $39.99. Currey, page 472.
Swanwick, Michael. Blue as the Moon. Dragonstairs Press, 2020. First edition chapbook original, #2 of 69 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy. Seven horror vignettes (“White as a Sheet,” “Yellow as Corn,” “Green as the Sea,” “Red as the Revolution,” “Purple as Prose,” “Orange as an Orange,” and “Black as Sin”), plus an introduction (“Blue as the Moon”). Offered at moonrise (5:54 PM EDT) on October 30, 2020 to celebrate the blue moon, and sold out that night.
Swanwick, Michael. The Death of Aubrey Darger. Dragonstairs Press, 2020. First edition chapbook thus, #14 of 100 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy. Excerpted from the 2015 novel Chasing the Phoenix.
Swanwick, Michael. The Devil’s Bestiary. Dragonstairs Press, 2020. First edition chapbook, #8 of 45 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in dyed paper wrappers. A short alphabetical vignette bestiary of supernatural creatures. Out of print upon publication.
Swanwick, Michael. Gulliver’s Wife. Dragonstairs Press, 2020. First edition chapbook original, #33 of 50 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy. Sold out upon publication. Bought from the publisher at full price.
Swanwick, Michael. The Postutopian Adventures of Darger and Surplus. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #183 of 1000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Swanwick’s loveable con artists are back in this short story collection.
Swanwick, Michael and Sean Swanwick. In Memoriam: Gardner Dozois 1947-2018. Dragonstairs Press, 2020. First edition chapbook, #60 of 70 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy. Came in the mail with a “with the Compliments of the Press” notice laid in. Originally appeared in the Philcon 2018 program book.
Swanwick, Michael. Reindeer Season. Dragonstairs Press, 2019. First edition chapbook original, #20 of 120 signed, numbered copies. “It includes ten very brief musings on the magical nature of reindeer and their relationship with Claus-tse. Issued in an edition of 120, Reindeer Season is 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”, hand-stitched, numbered, and signed by the author. Most copies have been given to friends, family, and colleagues, but 37 are offered for sale.” There are two states of the chapbook: a.) A cream colored wrapper (as this copy), and b.) a mottled beige cover. All copies for sale sold out the day they were offered.
Swanwick, Michael. Reindeer Season. Dragonstairs Press, 2019. First edition chapbook original, #101 of 120 signed, numbered copies. There are two states of the chapbook: a.) A cream colored wrapper, and b.) A mottled beige cover (as this copy). All copies for sale sold out the day they were offered.
(Tolkien, J. R. R.) Day, David. An Encyclopedia of Tolkien: The History and Mythology That inspired Tolkien’s World. Canterbury Classics, 2019. First edition hardback, a Fine copy bound in embossed leather, sans dust jacket, as issued. Tolkien reference work by an author who has done a lot of other Tolkien reference works. A very attractive book, with gilded edges and full-color illustrated endpapers, from a publisher that mostly seems to do leatherbound prestige reprints. Bought for $12.49.
Vance, Jack. The Dragon Masters/ b/w The Five Gold Bands. Ace Double, 1962. First edition paperback original, a very Good- copy with wrinkling to covers, spine creasing, edgewear and usual age-darkening to pages. Hewett, A11. Cunningham, 26a. Currey, page 498. Supplements a first hardback edition. Bought for $2 from the Lansdale documentary fundraiser sale.
Vance, Jack (Terry Dowling and Jonathan Strahan, editors). Minding the Stars (The Early Jack Vance, Volume Four). Subterranean Press, 2014. First edition hardback, a PC copy of 26 lettered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine- traycase with one small fingernail-tip sized indention at bottom front, with a provenance card from the Vance estate laid in. The only edition signed by Vance. Bought off eBay for $255.00. The other traycase editions I bid on went for substantial more.
Vance, Jack. The Languages of Pao/The Dragon Masters. Vance Integral Edition, no date. Unpublished paper dust jacket proof for the “Science Fiction Volume” containing those two novels produced by the Vance Integral Edition in 2002. Ultimately they decided not to use dust jackets for either that or the Vance Integral Edition itself. Bought from the Jack Vance estate off eBay for $33, and with the Vance Estate stamp on the blind side. The scan below is only what would fit on my scanner:
Vance, Jack. The Last Castle. Underwood-Miller, 1980. First hardback edition, a Fine- copy with slight bumping at tips and traces of wear at head and heel, in a Fine- dust jacket with a few traces of wear and faint phantom crease down front flap, with signature card by artist Alicia Austin laid in (as issued) and Vance Estate stamp on title page. Hewett, A30d. Cunningham, B45b. Bought for $20.13 from the Vance Estate off eBay.
Vance, Jack. The Many Worlds of Magnus Ridolph. Dennis Dobson, 1977. First hardback edition, a Fine copy in a Near Fine, price-clipped dust jacket, signed by Vance. Hewett, a27f. Cunningham, b55b. Currey, page 499. Bought off eBay for $93.97. One of the few Vance hardbacks I lacked, and one of the more difficult ones signed.
Vance, Jack. Marune: Alastor 933. Ballantine Books, 1975. Currey, page 499. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a trace of edgewear, signed by Vance. Hewett, A48. Cunningham, B56. Currey, page 499. Supplements the Underwood-Miller hardback. Bought off eBay for $16.50.
Vance, Jack. Maske: Thaery. Berkley, 1976. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with a tiny wrinkle at top of the front flap and a few tiny traces of edgewear. Signed by Vance. Replaces a slightly less attractive signed first. Hewett, A52. Cunningham, B57a. Currey, page 499. Bought off eBay for $14.99.
Vance, Jack. Night Lamp. Tor, 1996. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Vance. Cunningham, B61a. Supplements an unsigned trade first, the Underwood Books signed, limited edition, and Volume 42 of The Vance Integral Edition. Bought off eBay for $20.50.
Vance, Jack. Ports of Call. Tor, 1998. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine hardback, signed by Vance. Cunningham, B66a. Supplements an unsigned trade first, the Underwood Books signed/limited edition, and Volume 43 of The Vance Integral Edition. Bought off eBay for $14.99.
Vance, Jack. Sjambak. Wildside Press, 2010. First edition trade paperback original (perfect bound chapbook), a Fine copy, signed by Vance. I suspect this was produced because the story slipped out of copyright. Replaces an unsigned copy. Bought off eBay for $33.
Wagner, Karl Edward. HorrorStory Volume Four. Underwood-Miller, 1990. First edition hardback, #82 of 300 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Fine- traycase, with just a touch of blunting at points, a touch of edgewear around spine label, and a trace or two of wear. Omnibus and first hardback editions of Year’s Best Horror Stories X, XI and XII. Signed by Wagner, Harlan Ellison, Dennis Etchison, Michael Kube-McDowell, Richard Laymon, Michael Swanwick, David Drake, and many others. Chalker-Owings (1991), page 441. Supplements the trade edition. Bought off eBay for $65, or less than half the original offering price of $150.
Watts, Peter. Peter Watts is an Angry Sentient Tumor: revenge fantasies and essays. Tachyon, 2019. Bought from the publisher at the usual discount.
Wellman, Manly Wade. Many Are The Hearts: a play in one act. North Carolina Confederate Centennial Commission, 1961. First edition chapbook, a Near Fine- copy with small wrinkle on rear cover near head, touches of wear, some sun-fading around the edges, and rust bleed-through on the two staples. One act play about a confederate North Carolina artillery detachment. Even includes a detailed diagram of a 6-pounder field gun at rear; good luck to any theater company trying to get their hands on one of those! I think this is only the second copy I’ve seen offered for sale this decade. Currey, page 513. Bought for $38.25 off a fellow Biblio dealer.
Wellman, Manly Wade. Mystery at Bear Paw Gap. Ives Washburn, 1965. First edition hardback, a Very Good Ex-Library copy in the Hercules library binding, with pockets and interior stamps, with wear at head and heel, a 1″ very light stain to bottom page block, a couple of pinprick spots to top page block, and blunting of points, but no external stamps, sans dust jacket, as expected for the library binding. One of Wellman’s more difficult YA novels. Currey, page 513. Bought for $29.99 off eBay.
Wilhelm, Kate (John Pelan, editor). Masters of Science Fiction: Kate Wilhelm (Volumes One and Two). Centipede Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #457 of 500 numbered hardbacks signed by the editor and artists Jim and Ruth Keegan, both Fine copies in Fine dust jackets, with dust jacket protectors, new and unread.
(Wolfe, Gene) Swanwick, Michael. Swan/Wolfe. Dragonstairs Press, 2020. First edition chapbook original, #50 of 100 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy (save some slight wrinkling at head; since the outer paper wrapper is bigger than the inner chapbook page block, I suspect this is an endemic problem). Transcription of a Swanwick interview with the ReReadingWolfe podcast. As noted in the acknowledgements, I actually suggested the creation of this chapbook. Bought from the publisher at the usual bookseller discount. Sold out shortly after publication. I have copies of this for sale through Lame Excuse Books.
Zelazny, Roger. Blood of Amber. Arbor House/SFBC, 1986. First book club edition, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight age darkening to the white portions of the dust jacket flap, signed by Zelazny. Kovacs, I.2.d.
Zelazny, Roger. Changeling. Ace, 1980. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Kvocs, I5v.
Zelazny, Roger. The Changing Land. Underwood Miller, 1981. First hardback edition, #128 of 200 numbered copies signed by Zelazny and artist Thomas Canty, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Levack, 4b.
Zelazny, Roger. The Changing Land. Del Rey/SFBC, 1981. Book club hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight age darkening to white flaps, signed by Zelazny. Supplements signed copies of the PBO and the Underwood-Miller signed/limited hardback. Kovacs, I.6.d. Levack, 4c.
Zelazny, Roger. Damnation Alley. Faber & Faber, 1971. First UK edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with a trace of edgewear, with slip of paper signed by Zelazny laid in. Levack, 9c.
Zelazny, Roger. Damnation Alley. Gregg Press, 1979. First hardback edition thus, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Adds 24 pages of photos from the movie of the same name. Supplements a signed copy of the first Putnam edition, an unsigned copy of same, and a signed copy of the paperback movie tie-in edition. Kovacs, I.10.k. Levack, 9r.
Zelazny, Roger. Dilvish, The Damned. Del Rey/SFBC, 1981. Book club hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight age darkening to white flaps, with signed letter from Zelazny laid in. Supplements signed copies of the PBO and the Underwood-Miller signed/limited hardback. Kovacs, I.15.d.
Zelazny, Roger. The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth, And Other Stories. Doubleday, 1971. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with very slight bend at head and heel and a trace of foxing to inside front gutter, in a Fine- dust jacket with touches of wear and a tiny bit of age darkening to the spine and at top rear. With signed Zelazny bookplate laid in. Kovacs, V9a. Levack, 12a. Currey, page 570. Replaces an Ex-Library copy.
Zelazny, Roger. The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth. Pulphouse. 1991. First edition paperback original, Fine- copy with trace of rubbing along front spine join and pinpricks of soiling to front cover, signed by Zelazny. Short story paperback #13. I still need the Short Story Hardback of this…
Zelazny, Roger. The Dream Master. Gregg Press, 1976. First U.S. hardback edition, a Fine copy in a Fine aftermarket dust jacket Bob made from blowing up a copy of the Frank Kelly Freas PBO cover, with a signed title page removed from an Ace paperback edition laid in. This and the Gregg Press editions of Lord of Light, Nine Princes in Amber and Bridge of Ashes (which I already had) all share the same Freff cover art featuring characters from all those novels. Supplements a signed first of the Rupert Hart-Davis hardback, a signed first of the Ace PBO, and an unsigned copy of same. Kovacs, I.18.e. Levack, 14i.
Zelazny, Roger. The Dream Master. SFBC, 2004. Book club hardback, a Fine- copy with uniformly age-darkened pages in a Fine dust jacket. SFBC 50th Anniversary edition book. Kovacs, I.18.n.
Zelazny, Roger. Gone to Earth. Pulphouse, 1991. First edition hardback, #40 of 50 signed, numbered copies bound in leather, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. (Well, they say leather; I have my doubts. Also note that between volumes 18 and 19, the color of the “leather” edition went from a dark gray to a dark blue.) Author’s Choice Monthly #29. Supplements a signed “trade” clothbound hardcover in dust jacket. Kovacs, V13iv. Chalker/Owings (2002), page 728. I suppose that now I should look for one of the 10-copy red leather staff editions…
Zelazny, Roger. Knight of Shadows. Morrow/SFBC, 1989. First book club edition, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight age darkening to the very top white portions of the dust jacket flap, signed by Zelazny. Kovacs, I.27.c.
Zelazny, Roger. The Last Defender of Camelot. Pocket Books/SFBC, 1980. Book club and first hardback edition (gutter code L10 on page 278, as per Kovacs), a Fine- copy with slight age darkening to pages in a Fine dust jacket. Inscribed by Zelazny: “To Liz,/All sorts of good wishes -/ — Roger Zelazny.” Supplements the Underwood-Miller limited edition, and another copy of this edition inscribed to me in a more worn dust jacket. Kovacs, V.15.c. Levack, 24b.
Zelazny, Roger. Lord of Light. Gregg Press, 1979. First Gregg Press hardback edition, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with a letter from Betsy Groban of G. K. Hall laid in talking about how they had gotten Freff to do the artwork. Hugo and Nebula Award winner for Best Novel. Kovacs, I.29.1. Levack, 25s.
Zelazny, Roger. Lord of Light. Easton Press, 1994. Hardback, a Fine copy bound in decorated leather, sans dust jacket, as issued, with unused personalization bookplate sticker laid in (as issued), as well as a signed Zelazny signature plate. According to Kovacs, copies in aquamarine-colored leather like this one are reprints. Kovacs, I29m.
Zelazny, Roger. Madwand. Ace/SFBC, 1981. Book club edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust dust jacket with slight age darkening to the white jacket. Kovacs, I.30.d. Levack, 26c.
Zelazny, Roger. Manna From Heaven. DNA Publications/Wildside Press, 2003. Hardback, a Fine copy in non-decorated boards and a Fine dust jacket. The 1-59224-199-9 ISBN matches the first edition listed at the ISFDB, but Kovacs says this is the UK Lightening Source hardback reprint. Signed by publisher Warren Lapine. Kovacs, V18b. Supplements the first printing with pictorial boards.
Zelazny, Roger. Nine Princes in Amber. Gregg Press, 1979. First Gregg Press hardback edition, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with a signed title page from a paperback laid in. Kovacs, I.34.g. Levack, 28n.
Zelazny, Roger. Prince of Chaos. Morrow/SFBC, 1991. First book club edition, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Zelazny. Kovacs, I.35.d.
Zelazny, Roger. Roadmarks. Macdonald Futura, 1981. First UK edition hardback, a Fine-/Fine- copy with slight bumping/wrinkling at head and heel. Kovacs, I37d. Supplements a signed first.
Zelazny, Roger. Sign of Chaos. Arbor House/SFBC, 1987. First book club edition, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight age darkening to the white portions of the dust jacket flap, signed by Zelazny. Kovacs, I.38.c.
Zelazny, Roger. This Immortal. Garland Publishing, 1975. First (and only) edition thus, a hardback reprint for the library trade, a Fine copy in a Fine- aftermarket dust jacket Bob created from a copy of the SFBC/Ace Books reprint from 1988 with Richard Powers’ cover art, and which has some faint creasing along the folds. Signed by Zelazny. This edition is reproduced from the 1973 Ace third paperback printing, as stated on the reproduced Ace copyright page. Part of the Garland Library of Science Fiction. Kovacs, I40c.
Zelazny, Roger. Today We Choose Faces. Gregg Press, 1978. First U.S. hardback edition, a Fine copy with a Fine aftermarket dust jacket Bob created from a Signet reprint featuring Dean Ellis art. Signed by Zelazny. Supplements a signed Millington hardback first and a signed PBO first. Kovacs, I.42.d. Levack, 37h.
Zelazny, Roger. To Die In Italbar. Faber & Faber, 1975. First UK edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket with a small Zelazny signature plate pasted to the front free endpaper. Kovacs, I41d. Supplements a signed first.
Zelazny, Roger. Trumps of Doom. Arbor House/SFBC, 1985. First book club edition, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight age darkening to the white portions of the dust jacket, signed by Zelazny. Kovacs, I.43.d.
Zelazny, Roger and Jane Lindskold. Donnerjack. Avon Books, 1997. First edition hardback, either a Fine or a Poor copy (depending on how you count the annotations), in a Fine dust jacket. Novel started by Zelazny and finished by Lindskold after Zelazny’s death. Zelazny was a famously lean prose stylist, and Bob felt that Lindskold was not, so he has annotated the book by crossing out in brown or blue marker every section he felt was un-Zelazny-like from page 167 on. I passed on picking this up in the first bulk buys, but took it this time around because, well, it’s not like I can sell it to anyone else, and who else would know or appreciate the story behind it? Kovacs, I16b. Supplaments a Fine/Fine copy inscribed to me by Lindskold.
Zelazny, Roger and Neil Randall. Roger Zelazny’s Visual Guide to Castle Amber. Avon, 1988. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine- copy with slight edgewear. Kovacs, X14a. Supplements a signed copy of the SFBC (only hardback) edition.
Zelazny, Roger and Fred Saberhagen. Coils. Wallaby Books/Simon & Schuster, 1982. First edition trade paperback original, a Near Fine copy with one faint top front corner crease and slight age darkening to pages. Signed by Zelazny. Kovacs, I7a. Supplements a copy of the SFBC (and only hardback) edition inscribed to me. Kovacs, XIB1a.
Zelazny, Roger and Robert Sheckley. A Farce to be Reckoned With. Trade paperback, presumably a POD reprint, as it lacks the numberline of the first edition, and includes the usual POD barcode on the last page, a Fine- copy with slight edgewear and wear at points. Interestingly, despite having the same ISBN, this is a larger trim size (9″ x 6″) than the first edition (8 1/4″ x 5 1/2″), and could pass as a large print edition, except it is not so marked. This edition not in Kovacs.
First edition on left, this copy on right.
Zelazny, Roger, editor. Nebula Award Stories 3. Gollancz, 1968. First UK edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Kovacs, IX2b. Supplements a signed first of Nebula Award Stories III.
(Zelazny, Roger) Greenberg, Martin H., editor. Lord of the Fantastic: Stories in Honor of Roger Zelazny. Avon Eos, 1998. First edition trade paperback original, a Near Fine copy with a previous ownership plate inside front cover and a few touches of wear. Zelazny tribute anthology.
(Zelazny, Roger) Yoke, Karl. Roger Zelazny. Stamont House, 1979. First edition trade paperback original, a Very Good+ copy with bumping at heel and head, abrasion at front right bottom point, touches of wear along spine and elsewhere, and a touch of staining to inside front cover and blurb page. Starmont Reader’s Guide 2. Levack, “Works About Roger Zelazny” 15, page 140. Kovacs, XXIII11a. There is a Borgo Press hardback binding done three years later I still need to track down.
These two purchases straddle the 2020/2021 dividing line. The Crouch came in last year, but the King came in this year:
Crouch, Blake. A Little Orange Book of Obsessions. Borderlands Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #498 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Three stories, one from an online-only source. Now out of stock from the publisher. I still have copies available through Lame Excuse Books.
King, Owen. A Little Bronze Book of Greebles. Borderlands Press, 2020. First edition hardback, #498 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. A mixture of fiction, reviews, introductions, essays (including one on his own father’s Mr. Mercedes), and even bits on baseball and music. Out of print upon publication. I will have copies of this available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
Here are a couple of books I always planned to pick up and have Larry and Jerry sign for me, but life had other plans.
Niven, Larry & Jerry Pournelle. The Burning City. Pocket Books, 2000. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by both authors. Set in Niven’s The Magic Goes Away universe. Bought off an Internet book dealer for $9.75.
Niven, Larry & Jerry Pournelle. Burning Tower. Pocket Books, 2005. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by both authors, with certificate of authenticity laid in. Bought off eBay for $25.83.
All of these are Half Price Books finds (mostly in Houston) unless otherwise noted, including a fair amount of signed work and non-fiction.
Adams, Douglas. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. Simon & Schuster, 1987. First edition hardback (simultaneous with the UK Heinemann edition), a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought for $9.99.
Barksdale, Dante, with Grace Kearney. Growing Up Barksdale: A True Baltimore Story. No publisher listed, printed 2020. Trade paperback POD reprint, a Fine copy. Autobiography by a former Baltimore gang member who’s family’s story provided some of the grist for David Simon’s The Wire. A Christmas gift from Dwight.
(Ellison, Harlan) Ellen Weil and Gary K. Wolfe. Harlan Ellison: The Edge of Forever. Ohio State University Press, 2002. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine- copy with bottom outer edges slightly bumped. Bought for $12.49.
Gaiman, Neil. The View from the Cheap Seats. William Morrow, 2016. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Gaiman. Collection of non-fiction (essays, interview, etc.).
King, Stephen. Lisey’s Story. Scribner, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought at Goodwill for $3.99. I generally don’t pick up King’s new trade editions because I know they will show up used cheap. And I generally can’t afford the signed limited editions unless they’re coming out from a publisher I’m already a regular customer of and can pick them up at a (usually slight) discount pre-publication. But $3.99 for a perfect copy falls into “good enough” territory.
McCarthy, Cormac. All the Pretty Horses. Knopf, 1992. First edition hardback, an Ex-Library copy with all the usual flaws, otherwise Very Good. A true first of his first Pulitzer winner and first book of the Border trilogy. Bought for $6.99.
Stephenson, Neal. Seveneves. HarperCollins, 2015. First edition hardback, special signed edition with gold “Signed First Edition” sticker on the cover and “THIS SIGNED EDITION OF/seveneves/by/Neal Stephenson/[signature]/HAS BEEN SPECIALLY BOUND/BY THE PUBLISHER” signature page bound in before the half-title page, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought for $9.99.
Sterling, Bruce. Schismatrix Plus. Ace, 1996. First edition trade paperback original, Near Fine- with slight spine crease, slight sun fading to spine, and edgewear, signed by Sterling. Contains the novel plus the Shaper/Mechanist stories from Crystal Express. I never bothered to pick this up when it came out because I already had first editions of both, but picking up variant titles is classic late-phase book collecting behavior. Bought for $7.49.
(Tolkien, J. R. R.) Day, David. An Encyclopedia of Tolkien: The History and Mythology That inspired Tolkien’s World. Canterbury Classics, 2019. First edition hardback, a Fine copy bound in embossed leather, sans dust jacket, as issued. Tolkien reference work by an author who has done a lot of other Tolkien reference works. A very attractive book, with gilded edges and full-color illustrated endpapers, from a publisher that mostly seems to do leatherbound prestige reprints. Bought for $12.49.
This is one of those things I just didn’t think of picking up earlier:
Rice, Jeff (Richard Matheson). The Night Strangler. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with slight glue wrinkling near top of spine and slight spine fading, otherwise new and unread, signed by Richard Matheson. Novel by Jeff Rice based on Matheson’s screenplay for The Night Strangler, the sequel to The Night Stalker and the second TV movie starring Darren McGavin as reporter Carl Kolchak. Bought off eBay for $42. Copies that are both nice and signed by Matheson are uncommon.
