Posts Tagged ‘reference works’
Friday, January 10th, 2025
I have a fairly ridiculous amount of non-fiction books by and about Philip K. Dick (essays, bibliographies, critical studies, etc.); I think just shy of three linear feet. But this, which came out in 2016 bearing blurbs from Tim Powers and James P. Blaylock, escaped my attention until this signed copy popped up on eBay at quite a modest price.
(Dick, Philip K.) Maer Wilson. The Other Side of Philip K. Dick: A Tale of Two Friends. No publisher listed (but Amazon lists CreateSpace), 2016. First edition trade paperback original (stated; it has a POD barcode on the last page), a Fine copy, inscribed by Wilson: “To Karl,/Thanks so much for/your support! I/hope you enjoy The/Phil I Knew./Happy Reading/Maer Wilson/[squiggle]/ 8/27/16”. Biography of Dick from someone who knew him for the last decade of his life. Introduction by Tim Powers. Bought off eBay for $16.99, which I think is only a buck or two more than what it goes for on Amazon (I’m not seeing a price on the book).
Tags:biography, Philip K. Dick, reference works, Science Fiction, Tim Powers
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2024
Two more Half Price Books purchases from the Metroplex, these being science fiction reference works.
(Bradbury, Ray) Jonathan R. Eller and William F. Touponce. Ray Bradbury: The Life of Fiction. Ken State, 2004. First edition hardback (“08 07 06 05 04 5 4 3 2 1” numberline), a Fine- copy with a small binding flaw where a small rectangle of the black endpaper covering is missing from the top of the rear inside cover near the gutter, in a Fine dust jacket. Massive 570-page biography of Bradbury. Eller and Touponce are the ones editing the Critical Editions of Bradbury stories. This has had at least one printing since. Bought for $38.
(Heinlein, Robert A.) James Gifford. Robert A. Heinlein: A Reader’s Companion. Nitrosyncratic Press, 2000. First edition trade paperback original (“First Edition/First printing, 8 May 2000”) on copyright page, presumably simultaneous with the hardback edition (also listed on the copyright page), a Near Fine+ copy with slight crease to bottom front corner. Critical companion covering all of Heinlein’s works. Hugo Award nominee. Bought for $9.99.
Tags:biography, Books, Half Price Books, James Gifford, Jonathan R. Eller, Ray Bradbury, reference works, Robert A. Heinlein, Science Fiction, William F. Touponce
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Thursday, November 14th, 2024
This popped up on an Arkham House group, and I knew that I had to pick up a copy. Not because I collect Arkham House ephemera, but because I collect Arkham House reference books. I think this one is the fifth I own.
Herron, Don, and John D. Haefele. Arkham House Ephemera: The Classic Years 1937 —1973: A Pictorial History & Guide For Collectors. Cimmerian Press, 2024. First edition trade paperback original (a POD books, with “version 1.1 (November 2024)” on the copyright page and “Made in the USA/Coppell, TX/08 November 2024” on last (barcode) page), a Fine copy. Just what the title says, a pictorial history of Arkham House ephemera (catalogs, review slips, etc.) issued from the press’s founding up through 1973. The book is actually useful even if you don’t collect ephemera, as the full catalogs show when books went out of print and how much they were going for, etc.
This was published at $40. I put it in my basket where it sat for a bit until I had enough other items to make it worth an order, whereupon I found it had dropped in price to $29.33! If you want a copy, click on the Amazon link above, by which time the price will no doubt have fluctuated up or down due to their mysterious algorithm…
Tags:Arkham House, Books, Horror, Print-on-Demand, reference works
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Wednesday, September 18th, 2024
Three more very cheap purchases from that storage locker sale:
Anderson, Poul. The Last Viking Book 3: The Sign of the Raven. Zebra Books, 1980. First edition paperback original (no other date or printing, as per ISFDB), a Near Fine- copy with one spine crease, one crease along front spine join, small bend to top front corner, and mild edgewear. Bought for 50¢.
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. Harper Perennial, 2006. Trade paperback reprint, a Very Good copy with writing to heel and general wear. Just a reading copy of a book I’ve long heard good things about. Lots of academic essays at the back I think I’ll feel free to skip. Bought for 50¢.
Frances Leonard and Ramona Cearley, editors. Conversations With Texas Writers. University of Texas Press, 2005. First edition trade paperback original (simultaneous with the hardback edition), a Near Fine copy with phantom crease to rear cover and slight wear to tips. Interviews with and essays on Texas writers, including Joe R. Lansdale, Bruce Sterling and Robert E. Howard. Bought for 50¢.
Not a bad haul for $1.50…
Tags:Books, Bruce Sterling, Fantasy, Horror, interview, Joe R. Lansdale, Poul Anderson, reference works, Science Fiction, Texas, Zora Neale Hurston
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Monday, June 10th, 2024
Two critical companions, both bought at Half Price Books.
(Heinlein, Robert A.) J. Neil Schulman. The Robert Heinlein Interview and Other Heinleiniana. Pulpless.com, 1999. First edition trade paperback edition thus (there was a previous digital edition, but this is the first hardcopy version), a Near Fine- copy with creases to both rear corners. Long interview with Heinlein conducted in 1975, along with reviews of his works, letters, etc. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a copy of this before. Bought for $8.99.
(Pratchett, Terry) Burrows, Marc. The Magic of Terry Pratchett. White Owl, 2020. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Critical companion to Pratchett’s works. Bought for $6.29.
Tags:Books, Fantasy, Half Price Books, J. Neil Schulman, reference works, Robert A. Heinlein, Science Fiction, Terry Pratchett
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Thursday, September 28th, 2023
This was another Kickstarter purchase.
Adams, Douglas (edited by Kevin Jon Davies). 42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams. Unbound, 2023. First edition hardback (number line ending with 1), a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. A compendium of scripts, drafts, notes, sketches etc. from the archives of this Dr. Who and Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy writer. I backed this on Kickstarter, and my name can be found on page 315. This book was actually a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. I’m not sure if this Kickstarter edition differs from the trade edition, though I count 320 pages, while Amazon UK says 336 pages, so, maybe?
I will have exactly one copy of this available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.
Tags:Books, Douglas Adams, reference works, Science Fiction
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Monday, August 28th, 2023
Here’s a Kickstarter project that was a long time in coming that finally shipped earlier this year.
Lovecraft, H. P. Miskatonic Missives. Helios House, 2022 (actually 2023). First edition hardback, one of 521 Limited Collector’s Edition sets (given the number of kickstarter backers), containing three volumes, plus a fake box that’s actually a traycase to contain the ephemera extras, all Fine copies, sans dust jacket, as issued, in a Fine slipcase.
Each volume contains a reprint of one of H.P. Lovecraft’s most interesting letters, presented alongside related archival material such as contemporary short stories, art, maps, etc., as well as original art and new scholarship.
Each volume is also packaged with a set of exclusive extras—replicas of related contemporary materials such as photos, maps, ticket stubs, postcards, news clippings, and diary pages. The Collector’s set packages all of these extras in a custom box which nests in the slipcase alongside the three books. Each Limited Edition Collector’s set is supplied with a Certificate of Ownership signed by editors Andrew Leman and Sean Branney of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, and a collectible enamel pin.
This is just the loose extras; there are additional extras for each volume, in their individual envelopes in the Ephemera traycase.
with
Lovecraft, H. P. (Sean Branney and Andrew Lman, editors and annotators). The Spirit of Revision: Lovecraft’s Letters to Zeila Brown Reed Bishop. Helios House, 2022. Second Edition hardback (I believe the first edition was trade paperback only), a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Bought with the above as an add-in.
It’s an impressive assemblage, and one legions of Lovecraft fans will be kicking themselves over not picking up in years to come.
Total price for both with shipping was $203.50.
Tags:Books, H. P. Lovecraft, Helios House, Horror, Kickstarter, reference works, small press publishers
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Wednesday, August 9th, 2023
Two more items from that Forum Jack Vance lot.
(Vance, Jack) Hewitt, Jerry, and Daryl F. Mallett. The Work of Jack Vance: An Annotated Bibliography & Guide. Borgo Press/Underwood -Miller, 1994. First edition hardback, #121 of 200 numbered copies signed by Vance, introduction author Robert Silverberg, Hewett and Mallett, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued, in a Fine- slipcase with a bump to the top rear that I probably inflicted myself. The definitive Vance bibliography. Supplements a trade copy. Hewitt, M166 (yes, a reference to the book in the book itself). Cunningham E.2. Jerry tells me that Mallett was actually the editor rather than co-compiler, and on my trade copy he’s crossed out “Borgo” and written in “Bozo” on the title page. I sense some tension there…
(Vance, Jack) Temianka, Dan. The Jack Vance Lexicon: From Ahuloh to Zipahgote. Underwood-Miller, 1992. First edition hardback, #87 of 200 numbered copies signed by Vance and Temianka, a Fine- copy with a slight bit of bend at heel, sans dust jacket, as issued, in a Fine slipcase. Just what it says, a Lexicon of Vancian vocabulary. Supplements a trade copy. Hewitt, M163. Cunningham I.3.
These two books alone are probably worth more than I paid for the entire lot.
Tags:bibliography, Books, Borgo Press, Jack Vance, Jerry Hewitt, reference works, Science Fiction, science fiction bibliography, Underwood/Miller
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Wednesday, July 12th, 2023
As part of (I assume) it’s ongoing sale of the Gary Monson collection, Heritage Auctions offered up a lot of oversized and non-fiction works. Of those, this title was one I was most interested in, and is the reason I bid. I won the lot for $240 plus shipping.
Locke, George. Voyages in Space: A Bibliography of Interplanetary Fiction 1801-1914. Ferret Fantasy, 1975. First edition hardback, #17 of 18 signed, numbered hardback copies (plus an additional 10 copies not for sale), a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. The definitive bibliography on early space travel fiction. Chalker/Owings, page 527. Tymn/Schlobin/Currey A Research Guide to Science Fiction Studies 47. Barron mentions this in Anatomy of Wonder 4 7-7 (on Currey’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors), but does not have a separate listing for it. Not in Justice. Supplements an inscribed copy of the trade paperback.
Tags:Books, Ferret Fantasy, Gary Munson, George Locke, Heritage Auctions, reference works, Science Fiction, science fiction bibliography
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2023
Another addition to the reference work library:
(Vance, Jack) Jean Luc Esteban. Jack Vance: Works published in PULPS magazines 1945-1975. LuLu, 2023. First edition (POD) hardback, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued. An odd reference work, showing the full-color cover illustrations, title pages, first few story pages, and interior black and white illustrations, for every story Jack Vance published in pulp magazines for the covered period. (Never mind that by the 1970s, the magazines publishing Jack Vance weren’t pulps and hadn’t been for some time.) Sort of an strange work, with high production values (all the page are slick stock, not just the ones for the color illustrations) and odd editorial choices (the Table of Contents is at the rear, and there are a lot of pages left unnecessarily blank). Also, there is no magazine or illustrator index. But buying this is a whole lot less expensive than tracking down every single issue covered. If this is the sort of reference work you think you need, then you need it, and if you don’t, you don’t. Note also that there are four slightly variant titles this could be known under: the spine says Jack Vance in Pulps 1945-1975, the front cover says Jack Vance in Pulps First issues 1945-1975, the half-title page says Jack Vance Pulps Editions 1945-1975, and the title page says Jack Vance: Works published in PULPS magazines 1945-1975. Yeah, the book could have used an editor…
Tags:Books, Jack Vance, reference works, Science Fiction
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