Here’s a fairly neat item that came from that Mysterious Benefactor. Campbell, John W. A Facsimile of the July 1939 Issue of Astounding Science Fiction. Southern Illinois University Press, 1981. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with slight bump at head, slight bend at heel and a trace of wear to bottom boards, in a… Continue reading Library Addition: Hardback Facsimile of July 1939 Issue of Astounding
Author: Lawrence Person
Lawrence Person is a science fiction writer living in Austin, Texas. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's, Analog, Postscripts, Jim Baen's Universe, Fear, and several anthologies. He also edits the Hugo-nominated SF critical magazine Nova Express, and runs the Turkey City Writer's Workshop. His non-fiction has appeared in National Review, Reason, Whole Earth Review, The Freeman, The World & I, Science Fiction Eye, The New York Review of Science Fiction, and Slashdot.org. He owns such a large library (mostly science fiction first editions) he had to buy a two-story house to put it in, and then adopted a golden retriever to drag him out of his house on a regular basis. He also makes a mean batch of salsa.
Library Addition: Signed First of Jack Williamson’s The Reign of Wizardry
Another small press book from that Mysterious Benefactor: Williamson, Jack. The Reign of Wizardry. Phantasia Press, 1979. First hardback edition, a Fine copy in a Fine, Mylar-protected dust jacket, signed by Williamson on the title page. Fantasy set in Minoan Crete. The second Phantasia Press publication. Stephen Fabian dust jacket. Williamson, Wonder’s Child, page 121… Continue reading Library Addition: Signed First of Jack Williamson’s The Reign of Wizardry
Library Addition: Lloyd Arthur Eshbach’s Tyrant of Time
Another day, another Mysterious Benefactor Fantasy Press first. Eshbach, Lloyd Arthur. Tyrant of Time. Fantasy Press, 1955. First edition hardback (in first state cloth binding), a Fine- copy with tiny bump to top front tip and just a trace of foxing to gutters, in a Fine-, Mylar protected dust jacket with just a sliver of… Continue reading Library Addition: Lloyd Arthur Eshbach’s Tyrant of Time
Library Addition: Signed First of Kasey Lansdale’s First Chance
We interrupt our ongoing cataloging of that giant pile of books we were given to catalog a brand spanking new book: Lansdale, Kasey. First Chance. Blackstone Publishing, 2026. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, inscribed to me at BookPeople on September 12, 2026, with a special bookmark laid in. I’ve… Continue reading Library Addition: Signed First of Kasey Lansdale’s First Chance
Library Addition: Lloyd Biggle, Jr.’s A Galaxy of Strangers
Another book from that Mysterious Benefactor: Biggle, Lloyd Jr. A Galaxy of Strangers. Doubleday, 1976. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with slight bumping at head, heel and points, in a Fine- dust jacket with pinpricks of wear at head and heel. Short story collection. I read a fair number of Biggle’s novels in my… Continue reading Library Addition: Lloyd Biggle, Jr.’s A Galaxy of Strangers
Library Addition: Raymond F. Jones’ The Toymaker
Another book from that Mysterious Benefactor: Jones, Raymond F. The Toymaker. Fantasy Publishing Company Inc. (FPCI), 1951. First edition hardback, in the Currey A cloth binding (with “F.P.C.I.” binding at heel rather than Gnome Press), a Fine- copy with slight bend at head and heel, and very slight bumping of points, in a Near Fine-… Continue reading Library Addition: Raymond F. Jones’ The Toymaker
Library Addition: E. E. “Doc” Smith’s Galactic Patrol
Another book from that Mysterious Benefactor: Smith, Edward E., Ph.D. Galactic Patrol. Fantasy Press, 1950. First edition hardback in a first state blue cloth dust jacket, a Near Fine copy with slight wear to gold lettering on spine, slight send at head and heel, and trace of foxing to inside covers and gutters, in a… Continue reading Library Addition: E. E. “Doc” Smith’s Galactic Patrol
Library Addition: Brian Stableford’s Man in a Cage
Another Mysterious Benefactor book. Stableford, Brian. The Man in the Cage. John Day, 1975. First edition hardback (“10 9 8 7 6 6 5 4 3 2 1” on copyright page, as per Currey). First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Replaces an Ex-Library copy. Currey, page 465. Indeed, one of… Continue reading Library Addition: Brian Stableford’s Man in a Cage
Library Addition: Michael Swanwick’s Red Dog
Another Dragonstairs chapbook: Swanwick, Michael. Red Dog. Dragonstairs Press, 2026. First edition chapbook original, #66 of 80 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy. “Red Dog is Michael Swanwick’s collection of essays, some fictional, about life in western Pennsylvania.” Bought from the publisher at the usual discount. Copies of this will be available in the next… Continue reading Library Addition: Michael Swanwick’s Red Dog
Library Addition: George O. Smith’s Path of Unreason
Another book from that Mysterious Benefactor, and another small press book from the 1950s. Smith, George O. Path or Unreason. Gnome Press, 1958. First edition hardback (“First Edition” stated, as per Currey), a Near Fine copy with the start of slight creasing at head and heel, slight bend at head and heel, trace of wear… Continue reading Library Addition: George O. Smith’s Path of Unreason