Got this on-sale from Centipede Press:
Long, Frank Belknap (S. T. Joshi, editor). Library of Weird Fiction: Frank Belknap Long. Centipede Press, 2022. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, still in shrinkwrap. Massive 800+ page collection of fiction by this contemporary and correspondent of H. P. Lovecraft. Bought for $40.
I’ve picked up a number of R. A. Lafferty first editions in the last few months, on two purchases: A UK resident selling off her husband’s private collection, and United Mythologies publisher Dan Knight resurfacing to sell off some of his stock. Both of these were part of collective purchases not tracked in email, so I’m not exactly sure what the price was for each, but I think the UM books were $30-50 signed and $15 unsigned. Plus the latest Centipede Press collected Lafferty volume.
Three limited editions from three different publishers, all bought directly from the publishers at a dealer discount.
I will have copies of all these books available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog (probably in May).
Another Masters of Science Fiction volume came in.
Dann, Jack. Masters of Science Fiction: Jack Dann. Centipede Press, 2022. First edition hardback, #251 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. A very attractive volume, as are the other books in this series.
I will have one copy of this available for sale in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
I was not particularly interested originally when Centipede Press did their signed, limited prestige reprints of Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead. They’re solid novels (something that can’t be said of Xenocide), but not among my particular favorites of SF novels in the 1980s. However, I was interested in Ender’s Way, since that contains previously uncollected Ender stories, but it sold out before I could pick up dealer copies.
Given that, I was happy to pick up this set:
Both books bought for $400 off eBay, a significant discount off the original cover price for both ($250 for Ender’s Way and $295 for Speaker for the Dead.
And if any of you out there have #156 of Ender’s Game you’re willing to part with at a reasonable price, let me know…
The Sheckley was bought directly from the publisher, while the two Watts titles were bought from a collector culling his collection.
With:
Here’s the big roundup of every book I added to my library in 2021. Most (but not all) of these have appeared in previous library addition posts. Lots of Joe R. Lansdale, lettered editions, Lansdale lettered editions, Zelazny paperbacks, signed Harlan Ellison, Michael Moorcock rarities and Michael Swanwick chapbooks.
I count 193 titles added.
Note: The bottom right of the illustration looks strange due to reflections off the protective plastic covering over the illustration.
Lansdale, Joe R. The Nightrunners. Dark Harvest, 1987. First edition hardback, letter X of 26 signed, lettered copies, a Fine copy in white leather and a wooden slipcase (AKA “slipcrate”), sans dust jacket, as issued. (Note: The wooden slipcase has three small notches at the back, but given the uniform staining, they were there when the book left the publisher.) Lansdale’s landmark splatterpunk novel, featuring two very bad boys and The God of the Razor. Chalker/Owings, page 120 (Jack was not a fan of the novel). Bought off a fellow Biblio dealer for $315.
After I picked this up, Mike mentioned that he thought Baxter’s Ballard book was “lazy, shallow, salacious and sensational.”
The scan chops off the very bottom of the cover, because that was all that would fit on my scanner.
The slipcase is embossed with a red foil version of Moorcock’s eight-arrowed chaos symbol:
Current copy on the left, older copy on the right
Lettered edition on left, numbered edition on right
It’s time once again for “I’ve just dumped my latest book catalog out here as a giant text file for a blog post.” Enjoy, and let me know if there’s anything here you’re interested in buying.
Greetings, and welcome to another Lame Excuse Books catalog! This was supposed to go out in May, but first the ice storm, then the extended tax deadline, pushed everything out. But there’s lots of swell stuff in here, much of which went out of print while I was working on it. There’s lots of new signed Lansdale, out-of-print Subterranean Harlan Ellison limited editions, Charnel House books from Ellison and Tim Powers, instantly out-of-print signed, limited editions from Centipede Press, out-of-print Borderlands Press titles (including The Complete Short Fiction of Peter Straub set), a new Bruce Sterling collection, some Neal Barrett Jr. books, several Michael Swanwick chapbooks, some NewCon Press books, plus a bunch of trade paperbacks from Hippocampus Press and Armchair Fiction. And some mass market Zelazny paperbacks (many signed).
As usual, I typically only have a 1-2 copies of even the newest books, so if you want something you should act fast!
The URL for the main Lame Excuse Books webpage is:
https://www.lawrenceperson.com/lame.html
My blog, where I do a lot of book geeking (including new additions to my own book collection) is:
https://www.lawrenceperson.com
In fact, I just posted a giant Books Wanted List:
https://www.lawrenceperson.com/?p=17157
So if you have any of those available at attractive prices, or want to trade them for credit against book purchases, let me know.
I’m still doing a Lame Excuse Books Twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/LameExcuseBooks
My books are also now listed at:
http://www.biblio.com/bookstore/lame-excuse-books-austin?aid=BSCB2577247
But buying directly from me guarantees you the best price.
Payment, Contact & Shipping Information
Email me at lawrenceperson@gmail.com. I can hold books for ten days on email or phone requests (please leave a message on my voicemail for the latter: (512) 569-9036). U.S. shipping is $5.00 for the first book, and $1.00 a book thereafter.
Foreign shipping is at cost (please inquire; for most locations, Priority International starts at $37.45 now). However, Biblio has instituted an overseas consolidated shipper whose rates are between domestic and foreign USPS rates. I’ve had overseas customers successfully receive books, so that’s a definite possibility if you live in the UK or Australia.
Books may be returned in the same condition sent for any reason within 10 days of purchase for a full refund. Please make checks payable to Lawrence Person. I can also take PayPal payment to this email address
at http://www.paypal.com.
Please mail checks to:
Lawrence Person
Lame Excuse Books
P.O. Box 27231
Austin, Texas 78755
Now the books!
Hardbacks
LP3021. Anderson, Poul. The Boat of a Million Years. Tor, 1989. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Mylar dust jacket protector. Well-regarded book that follows eleven immortals from the distant past into the far future. Hugo and Nebula finalist for Best Novel. $25.
LP3020. Asimov, Isaac. The Foundation Trilogy (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation). Folio Society, 2012. First edition hardbacks thus, an attractive three volume prestige edition, all Fine copies in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued, in a Fine, decorated slipcase with a Fine Folio Society brochure laid in. One of the Folio Society’s more attractive and desirable offerings. $350.
LP3023. Barrett, Neal, Jr. Other Seasons. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, #242 of 750 signed, numbered copies, a Fine- copy with one short, thin gray line to page block edges (possibly a stray pencil mark) in a Fine dust jacket. The usual huge, beautiful Subterranean “best of” career retrospective collection, with lots of great stories. Out of print from the publisher. $34.
LP2739. Barrett, Neal, Jr. Perpetuity Blues and Other Stories. Golden Gryphon Press, 2000. First edition hardback, a Near Fine copy with a light grayish line across inside front endpaper (looks like a mechanical production issue) and a very few lightly rubbed spots on boards, in a Fine dust jacket in a Mylar protector. Inscribed by Barrett: “for Charlie at/FAMCON 2000!/(signature)”. A Best Of collection of Neal’s short fiction, including such great pieces as “Ginny Sweethips Flying Circus.” Highly recommended. $20.
LP3024. Barrett, Neal, Jr. Prince of Christler-Coke. Golden Gryphon, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with book announcement postcard laid in. Sardonic post-apocalyptic novel. $18.
LP3025. Block, Lawrence. A Writer Prepares. Short Scary Tales (SST) Publications, 2021. First edition hardback, one of 400 signed, numbered hardbacks, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, still in publisher’s tissue paper wrapping. An autobiography of the early writing life of this influential and prolific mystery writer. “By the time I was 25, I had a wife and two daughters and a house in a suburb. I had published over fifty books.” The mind boggles, and I feel like a slacker. Only have one. $50.
LP3026. Boyett, Stephen R. The Architect of Sleep. Centipede Press, 2021. First hardback edition, one of 400 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, still in shrinkwrap. Really interesting novel about a man transported to an alternate earth where Raccoons evolved as the planet’s sentient life form. Originally published as an Ace paperback original back in 1986, never reprinted, and became something of a cult classic. I’ve sold a lot of PBO copies of this and Ariel over the years (and indeed, see below). Recommended. This signed edition is already sold out from the publisher. I’m hoping this new edition prods Boyett into revising and finishing the still-unpublished sequel, The Geography of Dreams. $195.
LP3027. Brin, David. The Best of David Brin. Subterranean Press, 2021. First edition hardback, one of 1,000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Another Subterranean career retrospective volume. Lots of good stories in here, including “Dr. Pak’s Preschool” and “Thor Meets Captain American.” (Though I can’t believe they left out “A Stage of Memory.”) $45.
LP3028. Caro, Robert. The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Passage of Power. Knopf, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy in a Fine- dust jacket, with just a trace of crimping at head, the tiniest of bumps at points, and almost negligible edgewear; really, this is about as close to perfect as you’ll find without it being perfect. Fourth, massive 700 page volume in Caro’s multi-award winning biography of Lyndon Baines Johnson, covering 1958-1964, covering being selected as Kennedy’s running mate, the 1960 Presidential election, the Cuba missile crisis, and his taking over as President after Kennedy’s assassination. This won the National Books Critics Circle Award, and other volumes have won the Pulitzer and National book Award, among many others. I know, not SF. but I chanced across it, so I’m giving you first crack at it. $35.
LP3029. Child, Lee. A Little Gold Book of Unconsidered Trifles. Borderlands Press, 2021. First edition hardback, one of 600 signed and numbered copies, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued. Mixture of fiction and non-fiction by the best-selling author of the Jack Reacher series, some original to this volume, including a piece from Esquire. Now sold out from the publisher. $38.
LP3030. Constantine, Storm. Splinters of Truth. NewCon, 2016. First edition hardback, #71 of 100 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Short story collection from the acclaimed fantasy
writer who died in 2021. $45.
LP3031. Di Filippo, Paul. Worldshifter. NewCon Press, 2021. First edition hardback, #42 of just 60 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. “A high-octane tale of sweeping scope and imagination packed into a breathless novella.” $49.
LP3032. Doctorow, Cory. Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom. Tor, 2003. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. First novel by this ubiquitous SF writer and cyberadvocate. $15.
LP3033. Ellison, Harlan. Can and Can’tankerous. Subterranean Press/Edgeworks Abbey, 2015. First edition hardback, a PC copy of 374 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and a Fine- slipcase where a few spots seem ever-so-slightly bumped; I’m probably being excessively picky. Previously uncollected stories. This limited edition adds four pieces (“Who Wilts the Lettuce?” (original 1957 typescript), “Blonde Cargo” (original 1958 typescript), “Weariness” (original 2005 typescript) and “Sensible City” (2009 revised version)) not in the trade edition. Long out of print from the publisher. No copy of either edition online at all right now. $300.
LP3034. Ellison, Harlan. Can and Can’tankerous. Subterranean Press/Edgeworks Abbey, 2015. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine Mylar-protected dust jacket. Trade edition. Long out of print from the publisher. $150.
LP3035. Ellison, Harlan. Edgeworks 1 (Over the Edge, An Edge to My Voice). White Wolf, 1996. First edition hardback thus, an omnibus edition of Over the Edge and An Edge to My Voice, a Fine copy in a Fine Mylar-protected dust jacket which someone has taped, not to the boards themselves, but to a paper strip on the other side. $15.
LP3036. Ellison, Harlan. The Glass Teat & The Other Glass Teat. Charnel House, 2011. First hardback edition, first printing, one of 250 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in decorated boards, supposedly a second state “10th Anniversary Edition” binding sans dust jacket, as issue, with a CD of Harlan reading “Welcome to the Gulag,” the introduction written for this edition laid in. All Ellison’s TV essays and reviews written for The Los Angeles Free Press. Not having a copy of the original binding, I can’t tell you how this 10th Anniversary edition binding differs from that. Now substantially more affordable than the originally announced price (which was $600). Only have one. $395.
LP3037. Ellison, Harlan. The Top of the Volcano: The Award-Winning Stories of Harlan Ellison. Subterranean Press/Edgeworks Abbey, 2014. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine Mylar-protected dust jacket. All Ellison’s award-winning stories in one volume. Michael Whelan cover. Highly recommended. Long out of print from the publisher. $120.
LP3039. Foster, Alan Dean. The Director Should’ve Shot You: Memoirs of the Film Trade. Centipede Press, 2021. First hardback edition, #429 of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, still in shrinkwrap. I haven’t read any Foster novels since one of the early Pip and Flinx books way back in my misspent youth, but this book interests me. As the king of media tie-in novels, from Star Wars to Alien to Krull, Foster has worked on a lot of big hits (and misses), and here he dishes on all the behind-the-scenes drama he witnessed in in his career. This signed edition is already sold out from the publisher. Only have one. $95.
LP3040. Gaiman, Neil. American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition. William Morrow, 2011. First edition thus of this anniversary edition with the “Author’s Preferred Text” (which I think follows the text of the 2004 Hill House limited edition), a Fine copy in a Fine Mylar-protected dust jakcet, signed by Gaiman. Winner of the Hugo, Nebula and Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. Recommended. It seems that while I wasn’t looking, any signed first edition of this has gotten scarce and pricey. $125.
LP3041. Gaiman, Neil. The Ocean at the End of the Lane. William Morrow/Harper Collins, 2013. First edition hardback (simultaneous with several UK Headline editions), a Fine copy in a Fine Mylar-protected dust jacket, signed by Gaiman. Novel. British National Book of the Year award winner. $55.
LP3042. Gibson, William. Distrust That Particular Favor. Putnam, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket (and NO remainder mark). Collection of essays. $19.
LP3043. Griffith, Nicola. Hild. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight bumping at points at head. Historical novel about St. Hilda of Whitby, who lived in 7th century England. Nebula nominee for Best Novel that went through multiple printings. $20.
LP3044. Hand, Elizabeth (edited by Bill Sheehan). The Best of Elizabeth Hand. Subterranean Press, 2021. First edition hardback, one of 1000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Now out of print from the publisher. $49.
LP3045. King, Owen. A Little Bronze Book of Greebles. Borderlands Press, 2020. First edition hardback, one 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. $49.
LP3046. (King, Stephen, and Peter Straub) Chizmar, Richard, and Johnathon Schaech. A Little Silver Book: A Screenplay. Borderland Press, 2021. First edition hardback, one of 1,000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. A screenplay based on Stephen King and Peter Straub’s Black House. Now out of print from the publisher. $38.
LP3047. Koontz, Dean. Devoted. Short Scary Tales (SST) Publications, 2021. First limited edition hardback, one of 500 copies signed by Koontz, introduction author Joe R. Lansdale, and artist Dirk Berger, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Fine decorated slipcase. A boy and his Golden Retriever vs. evil. What’s not to like? A hefty, attractive 574 page volume. Only have one. $125.
LP3048. Lansdale, Joe R. Fishing for Dinosaurs and other stories. Subterranean Press, 2020. First edition hardback, one of 2500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Short story collection. Really nice endpapers. $40.
LP3049. Lansdale, Joe R. Wet Juju. Short Scary Tales (SST) Publications, 2020. First edition hardback, one of 550 signed, numbered hardbacks, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with SST tissue paper closure sticker laid in. Out of print upon publication. Massive collection, so overseas shipping will be more than usual. The only copy I could find online is $100 more than my price. $125.
LP3051. Martin, George R. R. A Game of Thrones. Bantam Spectra, 1996. First U.S. hardback edition, a Near Fine+ copy with slight bumping at head and slight flash to the top corner of the rear free endpaper, which has lead to a 1/8″ tear there and associated wrinkling, in a Near Fine dust jacket with a slight, non-breaking crease to the top half of spine (as though the book were read once), slight wrinkling at head, a few touches of edgewear (most noticeable at top rear join), and one pin-head sized spot of of wear to the reflective silver cover at the bottom of edge of the front cover. Not a perfect copy, but still a very nice one. First book in the enormously popular, multi-award winning fantasy series. $350.
LP3052. McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. Knopf, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a slight bit of crimping at head and heel in a Fine- dust jacket with just a trace of surface haze on glossy black cover, most noticeable along spine join. A just short of perfect copy of McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize winning post-apocalyptic novel, made into the 2009 movie of the same name. $30.
LP3053. Powers, Tim. Artificial Light. Charnel House, 2021. First edition hardback, one of 100 signed, numbered hardback copies in Japanese Red Snow Dust silk (the same material used for Charnel Houses’ edition of Powers’ Collected Stories), a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. A beautiful Charnel House production. $295.
LP3054. Powers, Tim. Down and Out in Purgatory. Subterranean Press, 2016. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. $24.
LP3055. Silverberg, Robert. To The Land Of The Living. Easton Press, 1990. First edition hardback thus, a Fine copy in decorated leather boards, signed by Silverberg, sans dust jacket, as issued. The second Gilgamesh novel. Easton does pretty books. $29.
LP3056. Smith, Michael Marshall. The Best of Michael Marshall Smith. Subterranean Press, 2021. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Another big Subterranean career retrospective. Trade edition. $45.
LP3057. Sterling, Bruce. Robot Artists & Black Swans: The Italian Fantascienza Stories. Tachyon, 2021. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. His latest short story collection. Introduction by Neal Stephenson. $25.95.
LP3058. Straub, Peter. The Complete Short Fiction of Peter Straub Volume One with The Complete Short Fiction of Peter Straub Volume Two. Borderlands Press, 2021. First edition hardbacks, one of 350 signed, numbered copies, Fine copies in Fine dust jackets. Already out of print from the publisher. $245.
LP3059. Stross, Charles. The Atrocity Archives. Golden Gryphon, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with promotional postcard for the book laid in. The first of the Geek/Cthulhu Mythos Laundry Files books. Recommended. $49.
LP3060. Sturgeon, Theodore. Alien Cargo. Bluejay, 1984. First edition hardback, a Near Fine copy with bumping at head and heel and slight abrasion of letters on spine with a Good only dust jacket that is complete, but has a 3″ tear down the top front cover outer corner right through the Mylar, plus other touches of wear. Short story collection, including great Sturgeon stories “It,” “Microcosmic God” and “Bright Segment.” Reading copy only. $5.
LP3061. Turtledove, Harry. The Best of Harry Turtledove. Subterranean Press, 2021. First edition hardback, one of 1,000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. The usual big Subterranean retrospective collection. $45.
LP3062. Vance, Jack. Night Lamp. Tor, 1996. First edition hardback (Cunningham notes that this trade edition actually precedes the Underwood limited edition), a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Vance. A really beautiful signed copy of one of the best of Vance’s later novels. Recommended. I also have a copy of the Underwood limited edition for sale on the website. Cunningham B61a. $95.
LP801B. Waldrop, Howard (with Bruce Sterling, George R. R. Martin, Leigh Kennedy, Steven Utley, Buddy (Jake) Saunders, and A. A. (Al) Jackson, IV. Custer’s Last Jump and Other Collaborations. Golden Gryphon, 2003. First edition hardback, Fine in a Fine dj. New and unread. Signed by Waldrop and Al Jackson. In addition to the swell title story, there’s an 11th century Japanese detective story written with Bruce Sterling (“The Latter Days of the Law”) original to this volume, “Black as the Pit From Pole to Pole” (Frankenstein’s Monster in the Hollow Earth, with Utley), and tons more neat stuff. Highly Recommended. You need it. Howard was just awarded the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award. $25.
LP2799. Waldrop, Howard. Night of the Cooters. Ursus/Ziesing, 1990. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with red spine title lettering slightly faded and just the barest bit of wrinkling at head and heel, signed by Waldrop. Great short story collection, including the title story (Slim Pickins vs. Martians), “Fin de Cycle,” and “Do Ya, Do Ya, Wanna Dance.” Highly Recommended. $20.
LP3064. Wilkins-Freeman, Mary. Collected Ghost Stories. Arkham House, 1974. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket with $8.95 price sticker pasted over price (Arkham did this for some books they had in inventory for a while). Collection of acclaimed ghost stories from this turn-of-the-century new England writer. Joshi, 60 Years of Arkham House, 128. Jaffery, Horrors and Unpleasantries, 132 (“The stories are good!”). Nielsen, Arkham House Books, 134. $20.
LP3065. Williams, Liz. Comet Weather. NewCon, 2020. First edition hardback, #92 of 100 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. “Practical Magic meets The Witches of Eastwick.” By the author of the Detective Inspector Chan novels, which I rather like. $49.00
LP3066. Willis, Connie. The Winds of Marble Arch. Subterranean Press, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a tiny bit of bend at head and heel and slight bumping at bottom points, in a Fine dust jacket, inscribed by Willis: “To Mark,/May the/winds be/ever at your/back! Connie Willis”. Another huge Subterranean career retrospective collection, with tons of Hugo and Nebula winners, long out of print. $125.
Trade Paperbacks (including chapbooks)
Note: Both the Armchair Fiction and Hippocampus Press books are stated first editions (or First Thus), but also essentially print on demand books. I tend to have only one copy each of those titles in stock.
LP3067. Anderson, Poul. Masters of Science Fiction, Volume 9: Poul Anderson: “The Star Beast” And Other Tales. Armchair Fiction, 2014. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Short story collection. “The Long Return” and “World of the Mad” haven’t been reprinted since their original magazine appearances. $16.
LP3068. Anderson, Poul with Lester Del Rey and Frederik Pohl. A Twelvemonth and a Day b/w Preferred Risk. Armchair Fiction, 2016. First edition trade paperback original (POD) for the Anderson, a Fine copy. $12.
LP3069. Campbell, John W. and Aladra Septama. When the Atoms Failed b/w The Dragons of Space. Armchair Fiction, 2016. First edition trade paperback original (POD), a Fine copy. Contains “When the Atoms Failed” (one print reprint) and “The Metal Horde” (no print reprints) from Campbell, and the Septama has never been reprinted previously. $12.
LP3070. Chambers, Robert W. (S. T. Joshi, editor). The Harbor-Master: Best Weird Stories of Robert W. Chambers. Hippocampus Press, 2021. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Includes some supernatural stories not in The King in Yellow. $20
LP3071. Gaiman, Neil. Anansi Boys. Harper Perennial, 2007. Trade paperback reprint, a Fine- copy with slight waviness to first few pages, and a slight bit of edgewear, but otherwise unread, signed by Gaiman. Novel set in the same universe as American Gods, but not a direct sequel (and I think a better book), about two sons of an African trickster spider god. $25.
LP3072. Gaiman, Neil. Fragile Things. Harper Perennial, 2007. Trade paperback reprint, a Near Fine copy with crease running the length of the first ten pages, signed by Gaiman. Short story collection. Not a lot of signed copies of this title online in any state. $25.
LP3073. (Howard, Robert E.) Charles Hoffman and Marc Cerasini. Robert E. Howard: A Closer Look. Hippocampus Press, 2020. First edition trade paperback original thus, a Fine copy. Critical companion on Howard’s work greatly expanded and revised from a 1987 Starmont Reader’s Guide. $20.
LP3074. Lansdale, Joe R. The Hungry Snow. Death’s Head Press, 2021. First edition trade paperback original (a side-sewn chapbook), one of 500 numbered copies, a Fine copy, new and unread, with signed Lansdale signature plate laid in. A Reverend Jedidiah Mercer story. Illustrated by Tim Truman. Now sold out from the publisher. Limit one copy per order. First two orders will get a Death’s Head Press card laid in. $25.
LP3075. Lovecraft, H.P. (S.T. Joshi and David E. Schultz, editors). Letters to Alfred Galpin and Others. Hippocampus Press, 2020. First edition trade paperback original thus, a Fine copy. “A new edition, augmented here with over 200 new pages of material.” Primarily letters Lovecraft wrote to his amateur press association correspondents. $25.
LP3076. Lovecraft, H.P. (S.T. Joshi and David E. Schultz, editors). Letters to E. Hoffman Price and Richard F. Searight. Hippocampus Press, 2020. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Hoffman was an acclaimed Weird Tales writer in his own right, and also friends with Robert E. Howard (who is a frequent topic in these letters). Searlight also had pieces appear in Weird Tales. $25.
LP3077. Lovecraft, H.P. (S.T. Joshi and David E. Schultz, editors). Letters to Family and Family Friends Volume 1 with Letters to Family and Family Friends Volume 2. Hippocampus Press, 2020. First edition trade paperback originals, both Fine copies. Over 1,000 pages of letters, with page numbers across both volumes, plus a Glossary, an Index, etc. $60.
LP3078. Lovecraft, H.P. (S.T. Joshi and David E. Schultz, editors). Letters to Rheinhart Kleiner and Others. Hippocampus Press, 2020. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. “A new edition, augmented here with nearly 250 new pages of material.” Letters Lovecraft wrote to one of his oldest friends, having known Kleiner since 1915. Other correspondence includes letters to other amateur journalists and members of the New York City-based Kalem Club. $25.
LP3079. Shaver, Richard S. The Shaver Mystery Books One through Eight. Armchair Fiction, 2011-2020. First edition trade paperback originals, all Fine copies. Collects stories and ancillary material from the “Shaver Mystery,” Shaver’s weird, strangely compelling conspiracy theory/alternate reality in which a hateful race of “deros” (“detrimental robots”) lived inside the earth, beaming mind-control rays at surface dwellers (and occasionally kidnapping them for torture, food, or sport). Shaver’s elaborate, unhinged vision brought a vast legion of cranks out of the shadows and onto the subscriber ranks of Amazing, whose editor Ray Palmer started publishing Shaver’s stories in 1947, which was to have a considerable impact on SF fandom. I doubt much of this has seen print since original appearances in Amazing, or in Palmer’s subsequent The Hidden World. If you’re a connoisseur of crank literature, Shaver is up there with the wackiest. $95 for the set.
LP3080. Shirley, John. A Sorcerer of Atlantis with A Prince in the Kingdom of Ghosts. Hippocampus Press, 2021. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Shirley doing weird adventure pulp! The first story features two adventurers in Atlantis battling bizarre monsters accompanied by a Princess of Mu. The second features a murdered Korean American who finds himself a prince in the afterlife. Looks like great fun. $20.
LP3081. Silverberg, Robert, and Randall Garrett, and Laurence Manning. The Beast With 7 Tails b/w The Wreck of the Asteroid. Armchair Fiction, 2021. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. The Silverberg/Garrett “The Beast With 7 Tails” has never been reprinted since it’s appearance in Amazing Stories in 1956, and The Wreck of the Asteroid has not been reprinted since being serialized in Wonder Stories in 1932-3. Bleiler’s Science Fiction: The Gernsback Years says that the Manning is “A competent adventure story with reasonable development.” $12.
LP3082. Smith, Clark Ashton, and August Derleth. Eccentric, Impractical Devils: The Letters of August Derleth and Clark Ashton Smith. (David E. Schultz and S.T. Joshi, editors). Hippocampus Press, 2020. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Derleth, of course, published many of Smith’s collections at Arkham House, and both men were appearing in the pages of Weird Tales in the 1920s, but they didn’t correspond until Lovecraft introduced them to each other in 1930. $30.
LP3083. (Smith, Clark Ashton) S.T. Joshi, David E. Schultz and Scott Conners. Clark Ashton Smith: A Comprehensive Bibliography. Hippocampus Press, 2020. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Much-needed comprehensive bibliography for Smith’s works, especially since Donald Sidney-Fryer’s Emperor of Dreams is not only out of date, but so poorly organized as to be nearly useless. $30.
LP3084. Swanwick, Michael. The Book of Blarney. Dragonstairs Press, 2021. First edition chapbook original, one of 50 signed, numbered copies, this one in solid emerald green wraps (call it state B, no precedence), a Fine copy. Sold out the same day they were offered for sale. $49.
LP2859. Swanwick, Michael. The Death of Aubrey Darger. Dragonstairs Press, 2020. First edition chapbook thus, one of 100 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy. Excerpted from the 2015 novel Chasing the Phoenix. Just went out of print from the publisher, but still available from me at cover price. $12.
LP3085. Swanwick, Michael. Five Rings. Dragonstairs Press, 2021. First edition chapbook original, one of 32 signed copies, a Fine copy. Five vignettes on the Olympics, “Gold,” “Silver,” “Bronze,” “Last Place” and “Also There.” Sold out within minutes of being made available for sale. 32 is a pretty insanely small run. $49.
LP3086. Swanwick, Michael. Reindeer Season. Dragonstairs Press, 2019. First edition chapbook original, one 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. $35.
LP3088. Waldrop, Howard. Going Home Again. Eidolon Publications, 1997. First edition trade paperback original (TPO), a Fine- copy with just a tiny bit of wear at points, otherwise new and unread, signed by Waldrop. This Australian trade paperback original preceded the St. Martin’s hardback. Another bag of Waldropian weirdness, with stories featuring Thomas Wolfe, Charles Dickens, Peter Lorre and Shemp Howard (same story), and masked Mexican wrestlers. $25.
LP3089. Williams, Liz. A Glass of Shadow. NewCon Press, 2011. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Short story collection by the author of the Detective Inspector Chan novels. $25.
Mass Market Paperbacks
LP813. Boyett, Steven R. The Architect of Sleep. Ace, 1986. First edition paperback original (PBO), Near Fine+ with some very slight wear at head and along spine, otherwise seemingly unread. Celebrated novel of a man transported to an alternate Earth where raccoons evolved as the planet’s sapient species. Named by Orson Scott Card as one of the best SF novels of the 1980s. $7.
LP3090. Clement, Hal. Natives of Space. Ballantine Books, 1965. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Very Good+ copy with slight spine creasing and moderate abrasion along spine, with a little bend to upper outer front corner, otherwise nice and square. Three novellas: “Assumption Unjustified,” “Technical Error” and “Impediment.” Currey, page 468. $5.
LP3091. Gaiman, Neil. Neverwhere. HarperTorch, 2001 (stated). Paperback reprint, a Fine- copy with a few touches of edgewear, otherwise apparently new and unread, signed by Gaiman. His first novel, also a BBC serial. Recommended. This edition also has an excerpt from Anasi Boys. Not seeing a lot of signed copies for the paperback. $35.
LP3092. Gaiman, Neil. Smoke and Mirrors. Avon Books, 2005 (stated). Paperback reprint, a Very Good+ copy with 1/4″ tear about 1 1/2″ inches from bottom outer edge, with associated crease, small wrinkle at heel, and slight edgewear, signed by Gaiman. Short story collection, including the superb “Murder Mysteries.” Recommended. This edition also has an excerpt from Anasi Boys. $20.
LP3093. Garton, Ray. Dark Channel. Bantam, 1992. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with small crease at top front cover edge, foxing to inside covers, and touches of edgewear. New age cult = actual old-fashioned evil cult. $7.
LP3094. Green, Roland and Jon F. Carr. (H. Beam Piper) Great King’s War. Ace, 1985. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Very Good+ copy with slight spine creasing, slight age darkening and dust soiling to white portions of cover, small crease on bottom front outer cover corner, and some edgewear. Sequel to H. Beam Piper’s Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, which featured a Pennsylvania state trooper accidentally transported to another timeline who uses his knowledge of gunpowder and modern military tactics to take down an evil theocracy. Copies of this have gotten harder to find. $15.
LP3095. Kurtz, Katherine. Deryni Rising. Ballantine, 1970. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Very Good+ copy with slight bumping and associated abrasion at head and heel, slight edgewear, and usual age darkening to pages, otherwise nice and square. The true first edition of the first book in the long-running Deryni fantasy series. $5.
LP3096. Leinster, Murray. Land of the Giants. Pyramid, 1968. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine+ copy with a small abrasion to rear bottom corner tip, a touch of edgewear, slight foxing to inside covers, and slight glue bunching to pages, otherwise a tight, square, apparently unread copy. Based on the Irwin Allen TV show. $5.
LP3097. Mac Rauch, Earl. Buckaroo Banzai. Pocket Books, 1984. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine- copy with a crease across the top front corner, slight spine creasing, and edgewear. Novelization of the cult film, and somewhat hard to find. $20.
LP3098. Martin, Jack. Halloween II. Zebra Books, 1981. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Very Good+ copy with moderate spine creasing, two small hairline scratches at top of front cover, slight wear at head and heel, and general edgewear. Decent copy of this scarce novelization of the second movie in the Halloween series. $75.
LP3099. Matheson, Richard. The Memoirs of Wild Bill Hickok. Jove, 1996. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine- copy with wear at heel, a 1/4″ non-breaking indentation to front cover right where Hickok’s bowtie is, so you don’t really notice it, a phantom crease on the top half of the rear cover, and some edgewear, otherwise a nice tight, square copy of this western. $8.
LP3100. Merz, Jon F. The Destructor. Kennsington Pinnacle, 2003. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a trace of edgeware, one tiny nick affecting the S in “Destructor” on the spine and faint foxing to inside covers, otherwise tight, square and apparently unread. Lawson vampire novel, about a vampire who keeps other vampires in line. $7.
LP3101. Merz, Jon F. The Syndicate. Kennsington Pinnacle, 2003. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a trace of edgewear and faint foxing to inside covers, otherwise tight, square and apparently unread. Lawson vampire novel. $20.
LP3102. Shea, Michael. In Yana, the Touch of Undying. DAW, 1985. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine copy with faint, almost invisible spine creasing, and just a little foxing/age darkening to the very tops of inner covers and pages, otherwiase nice and square. Dark fantasy novel by this deeply underappreciated writer. $35.
LP3103. Smith, L. Neil. Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon. Del Rey, 1983. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a trace of edgeware and faint foxing to very tops of inside covers, otherwise tight, square and apparently unread. Star Wars spinoff novel, the second Lando Calrissian novel from this Prometheus Award-winner. $8.
LP3104. Smith, L. Neil. Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu. Del Rey, 1983. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine copy with slight spine creasing and lean, touch of edgewear, and slight foxing to inside covers. Star Wars spinoff novel, the first Lando Calrissian novel from this Prometheus Award-winner. $5.
LP3106. Vance, Jack. The Houses of Iszm/Son of the Tree. Ace, 1964. Paperback reprint, a Very Good copy with wrinkling/war to top 1″ of Houses of Iszm side of spine, uniform creases along both spine joins, previous owner’s name and address crossed out on inside front cover (Son of the Tree) and title page (Houses of Iszm), and maybe some faint spine fading, otherwise a nice, square copy of these two short Vance novels. Hewett, A13ab. $5.
LP3108. Zelazny, Roger. Creatures of Light and Darkness. Avon, 1970 (stated; actually 1978). Avon paperback reprint (Seventh Printing), a Near Fine- copy with slight spine creasing, light, tiny creases to front and back bottom covers, a pinhead sized black dot to bottom page block, and slight edgewear, signed by Zelazny. Black Walotsky cover. Bob Pylant told me signed copies of this were harder to find than Zelazny’s other titles. Levack, 8j. Kovacs, I9d. $35.
LP3109. Zelazny, Roger. Creatures of Light and Darkness. Arrow Books, 1972. First UK paperback edition, a Near Fine- copy with crease to top front corner, slight spine fading, slight edgewear, and a touch of rubbing. Levack, 8e. Kovacs, I9e. $6.
LP3110. Zelazny, Roger. Damnation Alley. Berkley Medallion, 1977. First movie tie-in edition, a Near Fine- copy with slight spine creasing and slight spine lean, traces of a small sticker remnant to bottom rear of cover near spine, and a 1/2″ crease on back cover near upper middle of spine, signed by Zelazny. Features 24 pages of B&W still from the Jan-Michael Vincent movie made from Zelazny’s novel. Levack, 9m. Kovacs, I10h. $35.
LP3111. Zelazny, Roger. The Dead Man’s Brother. Hard Case Crime, 2009. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with a short, slight cease at heel, otherwise apparently new and unread. Posthumously published crime novel. In his postscript, son Trent Zelazny estimates this was probably written around 1970-71. Kovacs, I13b. $10.
LP3112. Zelazny, Roger. The Doors Of His Face, The Lamps Of His Mouth. Avon, 1974. First paperback edition, a Near Fine copy with one faint spine crease and just a trace of edgewear and a pencil price on blurb page, inscribed by Zelazny: “For Sandra -/all best/Roger Zelazny.” Highly recommended. Levack, 12f. Kovacs, V9e. $25.
LP3113. Zelazny, Roger. The Illustrated Roger Zelazny. Ace, 1979. First mass market paperback edition, a near Fine- copy with bookstore stamp inside front cover, a half-tackhead sized abrasion along rear
spine join next to the “IL” in illustrated, plus two more much smaller abrasion, along with a moderate 1″ crease near bottom outer cover corner, and very slight age darkening to white cover portions, otherwise a tight, square, apparently unread copy, signed by Zelazny. A fairly nice signed copy of a book prone to having the color page portions fall out. Levack, 20d. Kovacs, V14d. $40.
LP3114. Zelazny, Roger. Jack of Shadows. Signet, 1972. Paperback reprint, Very Good+ with some small spots of light staining near the spine, non-breaking spine crease, slight age-darkening along spine, and touches of edgewear. Levack, 22a. Kovacs, I26c. $20.
LP3115. Zelazny, Roger. Knight of Shadows. Avon Books, 1990. First paperback edition, a Near Fine+ copy with tiny corner crease on top front corner, and some pinhead spots of rubbing along the spine, signed by Zelazny. With letter from the bookseller Bob Pylant bought it from laid in. Ninth Amber novel. Kovacs, I27e. $15.
LP3116. Zelazny, Roger. Lord of Light. Avon, 1969. First paperback edition, a Very Good copy with spine creasing and lean, a slight crease on bottom back cover near spine, and slight edgewear. Black Walotsky cover. Hugo winner and nebula finalist. One of Zelazny’s best. Highly recommended. Kovacs, I29d. $10.
LP3117. Zelazny, Roger. Lord of Light. Avon, 1976. Paperback reprint (Eleventh printing), a Fine- copy with slight edgewear and slight age darkening to pages, otherwise tight, square and unread, inscribed by Zelazny: “All good wishes/Roger Zelazny,” with a small cursive “MP” on the blurb page in the same color ink as the signature. Hugo winner and Nebula finalist. Probably Zelazny’s best novel. Highly recommended. Levack, 25g. Kovacs, I29d. $49.
LP3118. Zelazny, Roger. Nine Princes in Amber. Corgi/Transworld, 1974. First UK paperback edition (35p price, as per Levack and Kovacs), a Near Fine+ copy with two small wrinkles on spine and a trace of wear at points, otherwise nice and square. Not seeing any nice copies of this online. Levack, 28g. Kovacs, I34d. $20.
LP3119. Zelazny, Roger. Roadmarks. Orbit/Macdonald Futura, 1981. First UK paperback edition, a Fine- copy with slight age darkening, a trace of edgewear, and usual slight darkening to pages. Levack, 31e. Kovacs, I37c. $20.
LP3120. Zelazny, Roger. Sign of Chaos. Avon, 1988. First paperback edition, a Fine copy (with the characteristic slight age darkening to pages), signed by Zelazny. A tight, square, perfect copy. Kovacs,
I38d. $49.
LP3121. Zelazny, Roger. Sign of the Unicorn. Sphere Books, 1985. UK paperback reprint, a Near Fine copy with small, thin, faint crease near top of front cover, bottom 1/8″ corner tip a tiny bit chewed, a few other traces of wear, otherwise a nice, square copy, signed by Zelazny. “Reprinted 1982, 1983, 1985.” Third Amber novel. All five of the original Amber novels are Highly Recommended. Kovacs, I39d. $25.
LP3122. Zelazny, Roger. This Immortal (AKA …And Call me Conrad). Ace, 1966. First edition paperback original (F-393, 40¢ price on cover, as per Levack), an expanded form of the serialized …And Call Me Conrad, a Near Fine- copy with very slight spine lean, a slight crease to top rear outer corner, a 1/2″ wrinkle at top near spine, and slight edgewear, signed by Zelazny. Gray Morrow cover. First book edition of …And Call Me Conrad, which won the Hugo Award for Best Novel (tied with Frank Herbert’s Dune). A very nice signed copy of the true book first of Zelazny’s first novel. Levack, 34a. Kovacs, I40a. $75.
LP3123. Zelazny, Roger. To Die In Italbar. DAW Books, 1974. First paperback edition (DA No. 117, 95¢ on cover, full numberline starting with 1), a Fine- copy with slight edgewear at head and heel, and a trace elsewhere, otherwise tight and square, signed by Zelazny. (Note: “Printed in U.S.A.” notice at bottom of back cover is chopped off at the edge. I note that the ISFDB example of the front cover cuts off the “UQ1129” code at the top of the cover, but that is present in full with a slight black border above here. I gather there were some cover registration issues with this run…) Sequel to Isle of the Dead, but not as good. Levack, 35c. Kovacs, I41c. $35.
LP3124. Zelazny, Roger. To Die In Italbar. Corgi, 1977. Corgi/Transworld, 1977. First UK paperback edition, a Fine- copy with slight bumping at top points and slight age darkening to pages, otherwise tight, square and unread. Levack, 35i. Kovacs, I41e. $10.
LP3126. Zelazny, Roger. Wizard World. Baen, 1989. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine copy with non-breaking spine creasing (hard to see at first glance) and just a trace of edgewear, otherwise tight and square, since by Zelazny and cover artist David Mattingly. Omnibus edition of Changeling and Madwand. Not seeing any signed copies online. Kovacs, I5e. $49.
LP3127. Zelazny, Roger and Fred Saberhagen. The Black Throne. Baen, 1990. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine+ copy with one faint, non-breaking spine crease, foxing to inside covers and the barest trace of edgewear, otherwise tight, square and apparently unread. Kovacs, I1b. $5
LP3128. Zelazny, Roger (“Created by”) (Jane Liskold, David Drake, Michael A. Stackpole, and Robert Lynn Asprin). Forever After. Baen, 1995. First edition paperback original, a near Fine copy with a faint 1″ non-breaking creasing at bottom front cover, slight waviness to first few pages (no sign of dampstaining, so possibly slight glue-bunching), slight age darkening to pages, and a touch of edgewear, otherwise a nice, square copy. Fixup fantasy novel set just after a climatic triumph centered around four objects of power. Zelazny wrote four segments before he died, and his collaborators did the rest. Kovacs, IIXb. $5.
LP3129. Zelazny, Roger, editor (Harlan Ellison, Samuel R. Delany, Michael Moorcock, J. G. Ballard, Fritz Leiber, etc.). Nebula Award Stories Number Three. Pocket Books, 1970. First mass market paperback edition, a Very Good+ copy with thin 3/4″ crease on rear cover outer edge, a faint sticker indentation (but no pull or residue) and two faint non-breaking roller machine lines (running parallel the entire length) on the front cover, previous owner name and date in red ink on blurb pages, and slight edgwear. Still a nice, square copy. Includes a lot of very good-to-great science fiction stories, including Moorcock’s “Behold the Man,” Leiber’s “Gonna Roll the Bones,” Ballard’s “The Cloud Sculptors of Coral D,” and Ellison’s “Pretty
Maggie Moneyeyes.” Levack, 1c (under edited books). Kovacs, I2c. $5.
LP3130. (Zelazny, Roger) Carver, Jeffrey A. Roger Zelazny’s Alien Speedway: Clypsis. Bantam Spectra, 1987. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with a trace of edgewear and slight age-darkening of pages, otherwise tight, square and apparently unread. First in a series about spaceship racers. “A Byron Preiss Book.” One of those Big Name/Little Name “collaborations” that popped up in the 1980s where the big name provided a rough outline and the little name actually wrote the book. I think book buyers quickly caught on to what they were getting. Do they even still do that anymore? Zelazny evidently knew Carver, as he typed some of his own work on the backs of pages from a Carver manuscript. Kovacs, XIC1b. $5.
LP3131. (Zelazny, Roger) Wylde, Thomas. Roger Zelazny’s Alien Speedway: Pitfall. Bantam Spectra, 1988. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine- copy with a serious 2″ crease to bottom rear cover, some edgewear, foxing to inside covers, and slight age darkening to pages. “A Byron Preiss Book.” Second book in the series. Kovacs, XIC2b. $5.
Five more items for my Joe Lansdale collection:
Two more books came in from Centipede Press:
The white square visible on the front is a numbered card inside the shrink wrap that will get laid in when it’s opened.
I will have copies of both of these in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog (currently in progress).