Archive for the ‘Fantasy’ Category
Tuesday, June 14th, 2022
I don’t pick up a lot of Folio Society books because they tend to do post-first limiteds (which I’m generally not wild about), but I picked this one up because: A.) The selection differs from the previous book with this title, making this a true first, B.) It’s a really attractive volume, and C.) A lot of the science fiction The Folio Society has been doing as of late has gone through the roof. So I decided to pick this up.
Dick, Philip K. Selected Short Stories. The Folio Society, 2022. First edition hardback (“First Printing 2022”), a Fine copy in decorated boards and a decorated, die-cut slipcase that even sports a full-color illustration printed inside the slipcase, sans dust jacket, as issued. The pageblock edges even include a dye-pattern image of two eyes (appropriate to Dick’s frequent theme of paranoia). Plus a Jonathan Lethem introduction and a full-color illustration for each story from 24 different artists (include Dave McKean). It’s a very attractive package.
I will have one copy of this available for sale in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog, currently in progress.
Tags:Books, Dave McKean, Fantasy, Folio Society, Jonathan Lethem, Limited Editions, Philip K. Dick, Science Fiction
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Monday, June 13th, 2022
Another limited edition Neil Gaiman book (this one of Sherlockian interest):
Gaiman, Neil (Gary Gianni, illustrator). The Case of Death and Honey. Arte Editions, 2022. First edition hardback, #254 of 500 numbered copies signed by Gianni (plus an additional 70 publisher’s copies), a Fine copy in a Fine slipcase, sans dust jacket, as issued. A very attractive book, stamped in gold and black on full red cloth binding, black and red printing, numerous black and white (and one color) illustrations from Gianni. A Sherlock Holmes story from Gaiman. There were numbered and lettered editions signed by Gaiman in different bindings that were already sold out by the time I found out about this book. Bought from the publisher at a thin discount. Note: The slipcase was extra, and is not included in every copy of this edition.
I will have a very few copies available for sale (with the slipcases) in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog, currently in progress.
Tags:Arte Editions, Books, Fantasy, Limited Editions, Mystery, Neil Gaiman, Sherlock Holmes, small press publishers
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Monday, June 6th, 2022
Now the trilogy is complete:
Powers, Tim. Stolen Skies. Charnel House, 2022. First limited edition hardback, #54 of 150 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. The third in the trilogy started with Alternate Routes and Forced Perspectives. The usual beautiful Charnel House edition.
I will have one set of this trilogy available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
Tags:Books, Charnel House, Fantasy, Limited Editions, small press publishers, Tim Powers
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Tuesday, May 31st, 2022
Here’s a case of replacing an unsigned copy with a signed copy:
Farmer, Philip Jose. Tarzan Alive: A Definitive Biography of Lord Greystoke. Doubleday, 1972. First edition hardback, a Near Fine+ copy with bumping at head, heel and top front corner, in a Very Good+ dust jacket with several small closed tears (and associated creases) at heel, slight dust soiling to white portions of dust jacket, and a few other touches of wear, inscribed by Farmer: “To Mitchell Haneson/from/Philip Jose Farmer/Oct 21,/1989/Chicago.” Fictional biography of Tarzan, and a central text in Farmer’s “Wold Newton Universe,” which ties a vast array of fictional heroes, from Sherlock Holmes to Doc Savage, into one extended family. Brizzi, Philip Jose Farmer, page 72. Currey, page 185. Bought off eBay for $39.99. Replaces an unsigned copy.
Tags:Books, Fantasy, Philip Jose Farmer, Tarzan, Wold Newton
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Monday, May 30th, 2022
Back when James P. Blaylock made it to Armadillocon more regularly than he does now, I got him to sign most of his early work, but neglected to pick up The Elfin Ship, The Disappearing Dwarf and The Stone Giant because I wasn’t yet the completest I am now and they looked a bit “Elfy Welfy” for my tastes. I’ve picked up a couple since, but haven’t had a chance for Blaylock to sign them. These are from the estate of editor and publisher John Pelan (Axolotl Press, Silver Salamander, etc.), sold through Centipede Press, each a price of about $5 each. Since Pelan published several Blaylock books through Axolotl, these are interesting associational copies.
Blaylock, James P. The Digging Leviathan. Ace, 1984. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with a tiny flake from the bottom front corner tip, inscribed by Blaylock: “To John Pelan,/the favorite of my/own books./Cheers/James P. Blaylock.” Replaces an unsigned copy and supplements an inscribed first of the Morrigan hardback.
Blaylock, James P. The Disappearing Dwarf. Del Rey, 1983. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with edgewear and flake chips to outer rear corners, inscribed by Blaylock: “To John,/on the first anniversary/of a hell of a good idea./Cheers,/Jim,/aka James P. Blaylock.” Sequel to The Elfin Ship. Replaces an unsigned copy.
Blaylock, James P. The Elfin Ship. Del Rey, 1983. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine- copy with slight spine creasing, inscribed by Blaylock: “To John Pelan,/My first book, but/not a bad one, I/hope./Best wishes/James P. Blaylock.
Blaylock, James P. The Stone Giant. Ace, 1989. First edition paperback original, a Fine copy with the barest trace of edgewear. Inscribed by Blaylock: “James P. Blaylock/For John,/I hope this is readable./I write it about 5 years/ago and don’t rightly/remember./Cheers/Jim.” Sequel to The Disappearing Dwarf. Replaces an unsigned copy.
Tags:Associational Copy, Books, Fantasy, James P. Blaylock, John Pelan, PBO, signatures, Steampunk
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Friday, May 20th, 2022
Another addition to the signed Ray Bradbury reference works collection:
(Bradbury, Ray) Sam Weller. Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews. Stopsmling Books, 2010. First edition trade paperback original (simultaneous with a small hardback run), a Fine copy, signed by Bradbury. Collection of interviews Weller did with Bradbury, plus a previously unpublished Paris Review interview. Bought for $40 from an online bookseller.
Tags:Books, Fantasy, Horror, Ray Bradbury, reference works, Science Fiction
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Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
Various books I’ve bought in various places:
Bester, Alfred. Virtual Unrealities: The Short Fiction of Alfred Bester. Vintage/Random House, 1997. First edition proof, trade paperback format, a Fine- copy with a tiny chip to tip of bottom front corner, gold “A Vintage Original” sticker on front cover and accompanying review page. Supplements a copy of the trade paperback original. Bought off eBay for $10.97.
Davidson, Avram. Beer! Beer! Beer! Or All The Seas With Oysters Publishing (OATSWOP), 2021. First edition print-on-demand trade paperback (the only print edition offered), a Fine copy. An original prohibition tale unearthed by the Davidson estate and offered through Amazon, which is the only place it’s available.
Howard, Robert E. The Iron Man. Donald M. Grant, 1976. First edition hardback, a Near Fine copy with a 1/2″ high area of abrasion across bottom of front and back boards near spine (but not at the spine itself), in a Fine- dust jacket with slight touches of wear at points and elsewhere. Howard’s boxing stories. Obtained as a throw-in freebie on another order.
Tiptree, Jr. James. Up the Walls of the World. Berkley Putnam, 1978. First edition hardback (no statement of printing on copyright page, as per ISFDB), a Fine- copy with slight bending at head and a small ding to top front board, in a Near Fine- dust jacket with a long crease along bottom front cover and associated 1/4″ closed tear. Tiptree’s only novel. Bought as part of a four book lot for $15.
Wellman, Manly Wade. The Haunts of Drowning Creek. Holiday House, 1951. First edition hardback, a Good only copy with cracked front and rear inner hinges, a 1/4″ triangular board loss at heel, pocket removal, former owner’s name on inside front cover, bumped corners, and general spotting and wear. Reading copy only, but this is possibly the hardest Wellman Young Adult novel to find. Bought off eBay for $15 as part of a two book Wellman lot.
Tags:Avram Davidson, Books, Donald M. Grant, Fantasy, James Tiptree Jr., Manly Wade Wellman, Robert E. Howard, Science Fiction
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Saturday, April 23rd, 2022
I ordered copies of both the trade and limited edition of The Best of Lucius Shepard Volume 2. The trade came in first.
Shepard, Lucius (edited by Bill Sheehan). The Best of Lucius Shepard Volume 2. Subterranean Press, 2021. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Huge, 800+ page collection.
Shepard, Lucius (edited by Bill Sheehan). The Best of Lucius Shepard Volume 2. Subterranean Press, 2021 (seen 2022). First edition hardback, #160 of 200 numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread.
Shepard, Lucius. Youthful Folly and Other Lost Stories. Subterranean Press, 2021 (seen 2022). First edition hardback, #160 of 200 numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Companion volume “which contains an additional 400 pages of previously uncollected fiction,” only available with the limited edition, much like Skull City, the companion volume to the limited edition of the first The Best of Lucius Shepard volume. Alas, unlike that set, there’s no slipcase for the two books.
I already have the trade edition available through Lame Excuse Books. The limited edition set will be available in the next catalog.
Tags:Books, Fantasy, Limited Editions, Lucius Shepard, Science Fiction, Subterranean Press
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Friday, April 22nd, 2022
All of these were bought at various Half Price Books locations with 10% off coupons.
Gaiman, Neil. Trigger Warning. HarperCollins, 2015. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with a tiny bit of crimping at head. Short story collection. Bought for $12.14
Lake, Jay. Last Plane to Heaven. Tor, 2014. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Short story collection. Foreword by Gene Wolfe. Bought for $7.19.
McCrumb, Sharyn. Bimbos of the Death Sun. TSR, 1987. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine- copy with a dime-sized sticker pull on the top left front cover, foxing to inner covers, and touches of edgewear. Her acclaimed, Edgar-Award winning murder mystery set at a science fiction convention. Replaces a less attractive copy. Bought for $2.24.
Morrow, James. Reality By Other Means: The Best Short Fiction of James Morrow. Wesleyan University Press, 2015. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. I’ll have one of these available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
Stephenson, Neal. The System of the World. William Morrow, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with trace of crimping at head, a couple of small spots of dust staining to boards and a small bump along bottom front board, in a Fine- dust jacket with slight crimping at head and touch of crimping at points, inscribed by Stephenson: “To Harris,/Neal Stephenson.” Bought for $7.19.
Twain, Mark. Autobiography of Mark Twain Volume 2. University of California Press, 2013. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine, Mylar-covered dust jacket. The second massive volume in Twain’s anecdotal autobiography, the one he insisted not be published until 100 years after his death. Supplements a copy of Volume 1. Bought for $8.99.
Tags:biography, Books, Fantasy, James Morrow, Jay Lake, Mark Twain, Mystery, Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, Science Fiction
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Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
Another Dragonstairs chapbook:
Swanwick, Michael. Fantasia Romantica. Dragonstairs Press, 2022. First edition chapbook original, #9 of 48 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy. “Fantasia Romantica is Michael Swanwick’s witty take on the romantic lives of six fictional heroines. Was Rosie waiting when Sam Gamgee came home? And what was going on with Susan Pevensie?” Out of print almost instantly upon publication.
I will have copies available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
Tags:Books, chapbooks, Dragonstairs Press, Fantasy, Michael Swanwick, small press publishers
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