I just sent out a new Lame Excuse Books catalog filled with interesting science fiction, fantasy, and horror first editions. Once again there’s lots of great stuff, including new books from Joe R. Lansdale, Jay Lake, Henry Kuttner, Charles Stross, Neal Stephenson, a Tim Powers Charnel House book, a signed Roger Zelazny limited edition, a desirable Jack Vance first, and numerous small press books from Subterranean, Haffner, PS Publishing, and Night Shade, among others. Let me know if you’d like me to email you a copy.
Posts Tagged ‘first editions’
New Lame Excuse Books Catalog Available
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011Most Significant Book Acquisitions in 2010
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011You may have noticed that I bought a lot of books last year. Since I’m getting ready to do another “this is what I bought recently” post, I thought I would do a recap of my most significant acquisitions in 2010. These may be significant for being important, valuable, cool, beautiful, hard to find, or some combination therefore. As usual, all of these are Fine/Fine copies unless otherwise listed. Ala George Locke’s Spectrum of Fantasy volumes, I’m listing where I got them and how much I paid, plus occasional notes on the books (with links if I’ve already described them before).
- Bear, Greg. Sleepside Story. Cheap Street, 1988. One of 52 signed and numbered, traycased “publisher’s edition” copies, a fine copy in tray case, sans dust jacket. For full details see here. Bought for $175 from a notable SF book dealer having a 50% off sale.
- Bradbury, Ray. Dark Carnival. Arkham House, 1946. First edition hardback, good only, with lettering on spine almost completely worn away, spine lean, general wear, and lacking the dust jacket. Bought from someone selling their late father’s collection (mostly, alas, book club editions) for $20.
- Brunner, John. Stand on Zanzibar. Doubleday, 1968. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with just the tiniest bit of wear. Replaces an ex-library copy. (I bought this online back in June for $199.99 and forgot to list it last time around.) Brunner’s undisputed masterpiece.
- Dick, Philip K. Eye in the Sky. Gregg Press, 1979. First hardback edition. Fine-, with a tiny bit of crimping at head, sans dust jacket, as issued. Bought from a notable SF dealer having 50% off sale. Replaced an Ex-library copy in my collection.
- Dick, Philip K. Vulcan’s Hammer. Gregg Press, 1979. First hardback edition. Fine, sans dust jacket, as issued. Replaced an Ex-library copy in my collection.
- Hill, Joe. Horns. PS Publishing, 2010. First UK and first limited edition hardback, one of 200 copies signed by both the author and artist Vincent Chong in traycase with three extra chapters not in the trade edition, extra art not in any other edition, etc. a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and traycase. Notably thicker than the slipcased edition. Bought at a pre-publication dealer discount from the publisher.
- Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Chatto & Windus, 1932. VG- only, lacking the dust jacket. Bought for $35 from a notable SF book dealer having a 50% off sale. I don’t usually buy books without dust jackets, but the price was right for this space-filling copy of this famous dystopia.
- Lafferty, R. A. The Devil is Dead. Gregg Press, 1977. First hardback edition, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. Found at Recycled Books in Denton for $36. Replaces a more worn copy in my library. For a while this wasn’t too hard to find, but recently copies have become scarce. In fact, it seems like a lot of the rarer Lafferty books have gotten scarce as of late. Looks like years of just about every SF writer talking up Lafferty have finally paid off…
- Lovecraft, H.P. Collected Poems. Arkham House, 1963. VG/VG, with top inch of boards discolored and sun-fading to dj spine. Bought at auction for $75.
- Oliver, Chad. The Wolf is My Brother. Herbert Jenkins, 1968. First UK and first hardback edition, a Near Fine copy in a Good+ only dust jacket, missing an irregular 3/4″ x 1/2″ chip at head, and shallow chipping and edgewear. I didn’t even know there was a hardback until I chanced across this copy (though it is in Currey). No other copy online as of this writing. Bought for $50 during a Half Price Books coupon sale.
- Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. Secker & Warburg, 1949. See here for full details. Arguably the most important novel of the 20th century. Bought from a notable SF book dealer for $500.
- Powers, Tim. Deliver Us From Evil. Charnel House, 2010. One of 100 signed, numbered copies in slipcase with accompanying manuscript page. See here for full details. Bought at a pre-publication dealer discount from the publisher.
- (Powers, Tim) Berlyne, John, editor. Powers: Secret Histories: A Bibliography. PS Publishing, 2009. One of 26 signed, lettered Deluxe copies in slipcase with two companion volumes, The Waters Deep, Deep, Deep and bound, photographic reproduction of the original hand-written manuscript for The Anubis Gates, not included with the trade or Slipcased editions. Slipcase and Anubis Gates volume very slightly bumped, otherwise Fine/Fine.
- Temple, William F. 88 Gray’s Inn Road. Sansato Press (AKA Ferret Fantasy), 2000. Roman-a-clef that features a thinly-disguised Arthur C. Clarke (who provides the introduction) as a character, with Clarke’s signature plate affixed to the FFE, reportedly one of only 50 such copies. Found at Recycled Books in Denton, priced the same as the non-signed edition (I paid $32 for it). Replaced a non-signed copy in my collection.
- Vance, Jack. Bird Isle/Take My Face. Underwood/Miller, 1988. One of 500 signed, numbered sets in slipcase. Found at Recycled Books in Denton for $160 for the set.
- Vance, Jack. The Dark Side of the Moon. Underwood/Miller, 1986. One of 200 signed/numbered copies. One of the rarest Underwood/Miller Vance books. (Are they being snapped up by Pink Floyd fans?) Found at Recycled Books in Denton for $160. Replaced a trade copy in my library.
- Wells, H. G. The World of William Clissold. Published by Ernest Benn (UK) 1926 in three volumes, one of 198 copies signed by Wells on the title page. For full details see here. Bought at the main Austin Half Price Books for $175, marked down from $350, during their coupon sale. Scott Cupp told me this copy formerly belonged to him, and that he obtained it at one of UT’s library sales.
H. G. Wells: The World of Williams Cissold, three volume set of the first edition, signed by Wells
The limitation page, with H. G. Wells' signature
- Zelazny, Roger. Bridge of Ashes. Gregg Press, 1979. (Replaces my Ex-Library copy.) Found at Recycled Books in Denton for $40.
- Zelazny, Roger. Hymn to the Sun: An Imitation. NA Publications, 1996. Poetry chapbook, a Near Fine- copy with some rubbing to price code on rear cover, spot on front cover, and black dot at heel. I missed this when it came out, and it’s been devilishly hard to find. Bought it off a dealer on Amazon, of all places, for abut $25. (99 times out of 100, Amazon is going to be higher than buying directly from a dealer on Bookfinder for collectible books.)
- Zelazny, Roger. Nine Princes in Amber. Doubleday, 1970. An Ex-Library copy, but cleaner than the Ex-Library copy previously in my collection. Reportedly Doubleday ordered their warehouse to pulp all Zelazny’s books the same day this came in from the printer, so only review copies, pre-orders, and library copies escaped the pulper, which is why non-Ex-Library copies are exceedingly rare. The first Amber novel, and one of Zelazny’s best. Found at Recycled Books in Denton for $160.
Recent First Edition Acquisition: George Orwell’s 1984
Thursday, December 30th, 2010You might have noticed that I buy a few books. I’m trying to assemble a library of every important (IMHO) science fiction book ever published in first edition hardback (plus selected fantasy and horror titles to boot), but I’m also doing it on the budget of someone who is not made of money. With one exception (a pre-publication Stephen King ultralimited), I’ve never paid more than $400 for any given book. But recently I had to break that rule to buy a copy of not just one of the most important science fiction novels of the 20th century, but one of the most important books ever published: The true Secker & Warburg first edition hardback of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, in an imperfect (but unclipped and almost entirely intact) dust jacket. I bought it from a noted science fiction book dealer for $500 (discounted down from considerably more).
Here are a two scans of the book:
Flaws include slight spine lean, hint of fading to spine panel at top and bottom edges, else fine in a good-only example of the green dust jacket (the other, and generally more desirable cover variant is red, but there’s no priority between the two), with blind-side masking tape reinforcements along portions of top and bottom edges, with show through, most noticeably along top edges of rear panel and flaps and lower edge of rear panel, and shelf wear at head and heel of spine panel, corner tips and along front flap fold.
It’s hard (but obviously not impossible) to find a decent true first of Nineteen Eighty-Four in dust jacket for under a grand.
Now to save up my pennies for a copy of H. P. Lovecraft’s The Outsider and Others…
An Amazing Jack Vance Collection
Saturday, October 16th, 2010While I do have the Vance integral edition, which he doesn’t, I still don’t have a lot of the stuff shown here. Vance collectors are so fanatical that they make my bibliomania look relatively sane by comparison…
(Hat Tip: Mike Berro)
The Lame Excuse Books August Catalog
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010Since I’m sick today, here’s something from the Lazy School of Bookseller Blogging: the text of my latest catalog, just dumped out on the page willy nilly, sans formatting.
Greetings, and welcome to Lawrence Person’s Lame Excuse for a Book Catalog! Once again there’s lots of great stuff, including new books from Joe R. Lansdale, Alastair Reynolds, Jack Vance, Greg Egan, Fritz Leiber, Thomas Ligotti, limited and ultra-limited editions of Joe Hill’s new novel, fine first editions of John Scalzi and Paolo Bacigalupi’s scarce first novels, a first edition of Nine Princes in Amber, a few sale books, a few important non-fiction and critical books, and numerous small press books from Subterranean, PS Publishing, Hippocampus, Underland and NESFA, among others. Most of these start at $3 off cover price, and as usual I only have one or two copies for many titles, so you might want to act quickly.
Before we get to the books proper, please note that I’m now using this Gmail account (lawrenceperson@gmail.com) as my primary email due to increasing unreliability from Roadrunner. Along the same lines, the URL for the main Lame Excuse Books webpage has changed and is now:
https://www.lawrenceperson.com/lame.html
I’m still doing a Lame Excuse Books Twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/LameExcuseBooks
Payment, Contact & Shipping Information
E-mail me at lawrenceperson@gmail.com. I can hold books ten days on e-mail or phone requests (please leave a message on my voice mail 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, Global Priority starts at $13.00). 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 to this e-mail address (lawrenceperson@gmail.com), at http://www.paypal.com, and I can take MC and Visa directly through my merchant account.
Please mail checks to:
Lawrence Person
Lame Excuse Books
P.O. Box 27231
Austin, Texas 78755
Note that Armadillocon is this weekend in Austin, so there might be a slight delay in mailing out books.
Finally, if you want me to take you off this mailing list, please let me know. I hate spam just as much as the next person.
Now the books!
Hardbacks
LP835. Asaro, Catherine. The Quantum Rose. Tor, 2000. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a black remainder mark to heel, in a fine DJ. Novel of the Skolian Empire. Nebula Winner for Best Novel. Signed by Asaro. $10.
LP1324. Asimov, Isaac. Foundation. Gnome Press, 1951. First edition hardback, first state (blue cloth, as per Currey (1978), P. 17), an Ex-Library copy with all the usual flaws (including stamps on top and bottom page edges, pocket, tape marks on FFE, etc), as well as spotting to cloth; call it Good+), in a VG-, first state (price of $2.75 intact, red lettering on black and white background, 3 books and a calendar advertised on the back cover) dj that would be NF save for three flaws: the letters “FA” have been written vertically (about a half-inch square each) at the bottom of the dj spine in what looks to be some sort of white ink (possibly very thin liquid paper or equivalent), a dime-sized sticker pull at the top of the spine, and the dust jacket appears to have been trimmed by about an 1/8th of an inch at top, not affecting any text; save for a couple of 1/18th inch chips at head joins, the dust jacket is otherwise complete and quite attractive. Far from perfect, but much better than a placeholder copy of the true first of the fist volume of Asimov’s masterpiece, and one of the most desirable Gnome Press titles. $200.
LP1772. Bacigalupi, Paolo. The Windup Girl. Night Shade Books, 2009. First Edition hardback (stated), a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Nebula Award Winner for Best Novel and Hugo Award Finalist. $250.
LP1115. Baker, Kage. Mother Aegypt and Other Stories. Night Shade Books, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. Includes an original, never before published novella. $12.
LP1773. Brown, Frederic. Space on My Hands. Shasta Publishers, 1951. First edition hardback (stated, as per Currey), a VG- copy with spine lean, small name stamped on inside front cover and written on FFE, and top edge dusty, lacks the dust jacket. Solid reading copy, or something to marry with a dust jacket (and I see someone has just the dust jacket online). $20.
LP1774. Brunner, John. Stand on Zanzibar. Doubleday, 1968. First edition hardback (as per Currey, P. 73), an ex-library copy with most of the usual flaws, otherwise VG- with wear to bottom board edges, gutters repaired, pocket on FFE and internal stamps, tapes ghosts and general wear, in a NF- dj with shallow chipping at top of rear flap and tape ghosts to blind side, plus minor creasing at front head join inside of dj protector; the jacket is actually fairly presentable, with exterior stickers, etc. Formerly my own personal copy, since replaced with a nearly pristine example, Brunner’s classic novel of overpopulation, his best and a truly great novel. Hugo Award winner. SF 100 List. Nice space-filler or reading copy. $40.
LP1775. Campbell, Ramsey. Creatures of the Pool. PS Publishing, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dj, as issued. His latest novel, about something nasty living under Liverpool. For some reason this interests me more than most of Campbell’s recent output. Only have one. $29.
LP1434. Card, Orson Scott. Space Boy. Subterranean Press, 2007. First edition hardback, one of 2000 copies signed by Card, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. A boy-meets-alien novella. Already sold out from the publisher. Only have one. $45.
LP1776. Clute, John, and John Grant, editors. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. Orbit, 1997. First edition hardback (preceded the St. martin’s edition), a NF copy with slight dust soiling to some page edges, slight bumping at head and heel, and a few faint indentations on rear boards, in a VG+ dust jacket with rubbing, curl and small closed tears at head, 1/2″ closed tear at heel, and general scratches and wear. Immensely useful 1,000+ page reference work covering fantasy authors, themes, movies, etc. Pretty much the definitive work on the subject, and one any serious (or even semi-serious) SF/F reader should have on their shelves. The exterior of this copy is a bit worn, but the interior looks unread. Original price was £50, so I’m offering this at about 1/5th cover price. Heavy, so $7 domestic shipping, quite a bit more overseas. $15.
LP1777. De Lint, Charles. Eyes Like Leaves. Subterranean Press, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread, signed by De Lint. New novel. $32.
LP1261. Drake, David (Gene Wolfe). The Complete Hammers Slammers. Night Shade Books, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. First of three volumes of linked stories of future tank warfare. Gene Wolfe provides the introduction. If you think that’s odd, Barry Malzberg is penning the intro to one of the subsequent volumes… $19.
LP1780. Duncan, Andy. Night Cache. PS Publishing, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dj, as issued. “A new novelette about lesbian love, cryptography, and signals from beyond the grave.” World Fantasy Award nominee. Only have one. $11.
LP1781. Effinger, George Alec. Maureen Birnbaum, Barbarian Swordsperson. Guild America (Book Club), 2003. First hardback edition, following the SWAN Press trade paperback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dj with three small closed tears, one at top front edgefold, the two others at bottom front middle. Features Muffy Birnbaum, George’s hilarious preppie adventuress, galavanting around various universes while, like, totally saving the world. Recommended. $5.
LP1782. Ellison, Harlan, ed. (Larry Niven, Poul Anderson Frank Herbert, Thomas M. Disch, Frederik Pohl, Jack Williamson, Hal Clement, Kate Wilhelm, Theodore Sturgeon). Medea: Harlan’s World. Phantasia Press, 1985. First edition hardback, an Ex-Library copy with all the usual flaws, otherwise Fine/Fine, with a tiny bit of soiling to head. Fold-out artwork intact. Shared world anthology built by some of the best in the business from the ground up. $10.
LP1782. Egan, Greg. Dark Integers. Subterranean Press, 2008. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Short story collection that’s now out of print. recommended. Only have one. $49.
LP1264. Etchison, Dennis. Fine Cuts. PS Publishing, 2006. First edition hardback, one of 500 copies signed by Etchison, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. Short story collection. $30.
LP1785. Gentle, Mary. Ash: A Secret History. Gollancz, 2000. First edition hardback (the American edition was broken up into four paperback volumes, the first volume of which preceded this), a Fine- copy with a few pinhead sized spots of black ink to the front free endpaper (transfer from a former magic marker over the price on the dust jacket that wiped right off, leaving no sign on the dust jacket itself) and one page with the very tip slightly dog-eared, in a Fine- dust jacket with one tiny wrinkle at head, and one very faint brownish spot, smaller than a half dime, at the top of the inner flap; just short of a perfect copy, as these are all extremely minor flaws. Huge (1,110+ page), ambitious fantasy (with science fiction elements) about a female mercenary captain in a middle ages very different from our own (a world where a Visigothic Carthage not only never fell, but which lives under the Penitence, a sort of supernatural perpetual twilight), framed by a scholar reading the manuscript of same, only to find elements of this divergent reality leaking into our own. Recommended. $70.
LP1404. Hand, Elizabeth. Illyria. PS Publishing, 2006. First edition hardback, one of less than 400 signed copies (limited to Postscripts subscribers, plus 200 unnumbered copies, of which this is one), Fine in decorated boards, sans dj, as issued. This year’s Postscripts Christmas special. Only have one. $30.
LP795. Harrison, M. John (China Mieville, Simon Inge). Things That Never Happen (w/ The Rio Brain). Night Shade Books, 2003. First edition hardback, one of only 150 copies signed by Harrison and introduction author China Mieville, Fine in a Fine dj, new and unread. Also included with the limited edition is the chapbook The Rio Brain by Harrison and Simon Inge. (The latter features a photo of Samuel Beckett on the cover, and seems to revolve around theater.) Harrison has long been a critical favorite for his Virconium sequence, among other works, but the recent popularity of Light and his influence on Mieville has raised his visibility considerably. Sold out from the publisher and already very hard to find. The minuscule limited edition all but guarantees this to be one of the more difficult items for the Mieville completist to obtain in coming years. (Note: Originally this edition was supposed to be slipcased, but Night Shade substituted the chapbook when they were unable to obtain the slipcases for the limited.) $80.
LP1786. (Herbert, Frank) McNelly, Willis E. The Dune Encyclopedia. Berkley, 1984. Book club edition (the trade paperback was the true first), a NF- copy with dust soiling, a thin stray pencil line to head and inner hinge cracking, in a Good+ dj missing a 3/4″ cheap at head, and 1/4″ shallow chipping on top front cover (with associated tears), otherwise intact and only slightly worn. Many list this book club edition as the only hardback, but the Locus database lists a Putnam trade hardback. Either way, neither hardback edition is terribly common. $49.
LP4000. Hill, Joe. Horns. PS Publishing, 2010. First UK and first limited edition hardback, one of 200 copies signed by both the author and artist Vincent Chong (who didn’t sign the slipcased edition), in traycase with three extra chapters not in the trade edition, extra art not in any other edition, etc. a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and traycase. Notably thicker than the signed, slipcased edition. A very elaborate edition for a very collectable author. Long sold from the publisher, and I only have one. $495 Net.
LP1788. Hill, Joe. Horns. PS Publishing, 2010. First UK and first limited edition hardback, one of 500 copies signed by Hill, with an extra chapter not in the trade edition, e etc. a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and slipcase. Only have one. $117.
LP1637. Hodgson, William, Hope. The Collected Fiction of William Hope Hodgson Volume 5: The Dream of X and Other Fantastic Visions. Night Shade Press, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dj, as issued. Fifth and final volume of the collected Hodgson. The first printings of all the rest are out of print. $32.
LP1789. Hughart, Barry. The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox (Bridge of Birds, The Story of the Stone, Eight Skilled Gentlemen). The Stars Our Destination, 1998. Book club edition, a Fine- copy in a Fine- dj with just a tiny bit of bending at heel and a phantom crease to first two pages (including FFE). Very attractive omnibus reading copy of three funny, brilliant books. Highly recommended. $40.
LP1790. Hughart, Barry. The Story of the Stone. Doubleday/Foundation, 1988. Book club hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. And here’s a nice reading copy of just the second book in the series. Highly recommended. $10.
LP1791. Joyce, Graham. How to Make Friends With Demons. Night Shade Books, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. $20.
LP1792. King, Stephen. The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah. Grant/Scribner, 2004. First edition trade hardback (preceded by the grant limited editions), a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Not a book of exceeding rarity, but this is a very nice copy. $9.
LP672. Lansdale, Joe R. By Bizarre Hands. Mark V. Ziesing, 1989. First edition hardback, Fine in a Fine- dj with a tiny wrinkle at dj head. Short story collection with lots of Joe’s best stories in here, including “Tight Little Stitches in a Dead Man’s Back,” “On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert With Dead Folks” and “Night They Missed the Horror Show.” Highly recommended. Signed by Lansdale. $20.
LP1794. Lansdale, Joe R. and Keith Lansdale, editors. (Joe R. Lansdale, Harlan Ellison, David J. Schow, William F. Nolan, Mike Resnick, Cherie Priest, etc.) Son of Retro Pulp Tales. Subterranean Press, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Another collection of pulp goodness, and I enjoyed the first one. All of these are new except the Ellison. And how often do you see a new William F. Nolan story these days? Signed by Lansdale. $37.
LP124. Lansdale, Joe R., editor (Neal Barrett, Jr., Chad Oliver, Loren D. Estleman, William F. Nolan, etc.) The Best of the West. Doubleday, 1986. First edition hardback, an ex-library copy, with all the usual flaws, otherwise Neat Fine-/Fine, with some wear at head and heel. Anthology of original western fiction, including work by Chad Oliver, Neal Barrett, Jr., and several others. Inscribed to me by Joe Lansdale. (I’ve since found an affordable non-ex-library copy for my personal collection.) Since Joe was my writing instructor at a workshop before I sold my first story, this is actually an association copy…$19.
LP1795. Leiber, Fritz. Selected Stories. Night Shade Books, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Something of a Best of collection, with gems like “Gonna Roll the Bones,” “Belsen Express,” “Smoke Ghost,” “Catch that Zeppelin”…yeah, you need it. Only have one. $21.
LP1797. (Lovecraft, H. P.) Joshi, S. T. (editor) (William Browning Spncer, Michael Shea, David J. Schow, Brain Stableford, Michael Marshall Smith, Ramsey Campbell, etc.) Black Wings: Tales of Lovecraftian Horror. PS Publishing, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Anthology of Lovecraftian horror featuring lots of very solid writers. $37.
LP1798. Martin, George R. R. A Game of Thrones. Bantam, 1996. First U.S. edition hardback (the British precedes slightly), a Near Fine copy with slight bumping at head, a tiny bit at heel, and slight dust soiling of top edge, in a Near Fine dust jacket with associated crinkling at head and heel, slight inward curling at dj top and bottom, slight rubbing to dust jacket, and a 1/16” closed tear at top front dj flap fold. First volume of the enormously popular A Song of Fire and Ice Fantasy series. $70
LP1471. Moon, Elizabeth. Moon Flights. Night Shade Books, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. Short story collection by the Nebula and Robert A. Heinlein Award-winning author of The Speed of Dark. Specially signed by Moon. $18.
LP1284. Pohl, Frederik. Gateway. St. Martins, 1977. First edition hardback (no statement of printing on copyright page, as per Currey), an Ex-Library copy with all the usual flaws, otherwise VG- with moderate wear at heel, slight bumping to head and heel, and sticker ghosts on covers, in a NF- dj with slight crinkling at head, library sticker on spine, and three tack-head sized spots of wear that may or may not be on the dj itself rather than the protector, not clipped, with price of $8.95 intact. Signed by Pohl. Hugo and Nebula winner. Perhaps the hardest domestic SF novel of the 1970s to find. $145.
LP1799. Powers, Tim. Dinner at Deviant’s Palace. Ace (SFBC), 1985. Book club (and first hardback) edition (printing code P028 on page 218), a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with just the tiniest bit of edgewear at the extremities. Philip K. Dick Award winner, nebula Award finalist. $10.
LP1800. (Powers, Tim) Berlyne, John, editor. Powers: Secret Histories: A Bibliography. PS Publishing, 2009. First edition hardback, one of 1000 copies signed by Powers, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Huge, beautiful, highly-detailed bibliography, with insanely high production values (including full-color pages with photos of all editions of all Powers’ books), and nearly 350 pages of appendices, including hundreds of drawings, never-before published fiction, appreciations by the likes of China Mieville, Karen Joy Fowler, etc. When I first heard the publisher’s price of $60, I thought that was ridiculously high for a bibliography, but when you actually hold the thing in your hands, you go “Oh yeah, now I understand. This is totally worth it.” If you like Powers, you need one, and I only have ONE COPY. Much heavier than usual, so $7 domestic shipping, and probably ludicrous amounts to ship overseas. $49.
LP1801. Prucher, Jeff, editor. Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction. Oxford University Press, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dj with a tiny bit of surface haze and a tiny bit of crimping at head, otherwise new and unread. Basically the OED for science fiction, defining SF-coined neologisms and tracing their history to the first known in-print appearance. I was one of the people that helped contribute cites to this (along with about 200 other people). Hugo Winner for Best Related Book. You probably need a copy if you’re have a serious interest in the history of the field. $12.
LP1802. Queen, Ellery (Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee, originally as by Barnaby Ross). The XYZ Murders (The Tragedy of X, The Tragedy of Y, The Tragedy of Z). Lippincott, no date (but probably 1961). Book club (and presumably first omnibus edition) edition, a Near Fine copy with slight curl at head and heel and small spots of wear along bottom board, in a Good+ dust jacket that is 99% intact (with shallow chipping at head and heel and along front spine join), but with dust jacket front panel mostly separated from spine, but still attached; I’ve now placed it in a Mylar dust jacket protector to prevent further deterioration. Three novels by Dannay and Lee, the original authors behind the Ellery Queen pen name, all three originally published as by Barnaby Ross. Not particularly common. $20.
LP1803. Reynolds, Alastair. Deep Navigation. NESFA Press, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. His first short story collection. $23.
LP1804. Reynolds, Alastair. Terminal World. Gollancz, 2010. First edition hardback (precedes the American edition), a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. His latest novel. Only have one. $35.
LP1805. Saberhagen, Fred. The Lost Swords: The Second Triad. Guild America Books, 1990. Book (and first omnibus) hardback edition, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with one closed 1/16th” tear at top front dj and a tiny bit of edgewear, otherwise quite nice. 4th-6th Book of Lost Swords. $5.
LP1806. Scalzi, John. The Android’s Dream. Tor, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a tiny bit of curl at heel in a Fine- dust acket with just a tiny bit of wrinkling at head; I’m being quite picky here, as this is a pretty nice copy. $15.
LP1807. Scalzi, John. Old Man’s War. Tor, 2005. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with a 1/16th closed tear at top front, and very slight wrinkling at head and heel, otherwise apparently new and unread. Scalzi’s first novel, and first in a very popular series. Very possibly the most collectable SF hardback of the last ten years from a mainstream domestic publisher. I think the last Tor SF novel this hot was Ender’s Game, and I personally liked Old Man’s War better. $300.
LP1478. Shepard, Lucius. Softspoken. Night Shade Books, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. At 179 pages, this is more a short novel than the usual Shepard small press novella. $14.
LP434. Silverberg, Robert. The Secret Sharer. Underwood/Miller, 1988. First edition hardback, an ex-library copy with all the usual flaws, otherwise Fine-/Fine, with barest trace of soiling to book edges and very slight wrinkling to dj head. Except for the ex-lib flaws it’s an attractive copy. $5.
LP687. Simmons, Dan. Worlds Enough & Time. Subterranean Press, 2001. First edition hardback, Fine in Fine dj. Collection of novellas, including “Orphans of the Helix,” set in the Hyperion universe. Signed by Simmons. $35.
LP864. Spencer, William Browning. The Return of Count Electric & Other Stories. The Permanent Press, 1993. First Edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj. Signed by Spencer. His first short story collection. All of Bill’s Permanent Press books are starting to get hard to find. Recommended. $35.
LP1808. Straub, Peter. The Skylark. Subterranean Press, 2010. First edition hardback, one of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. The first draft of what latter became A Dark Matter. I met Straub at last year’s Readercon, and he seemed like a pretty nice guy. Only have one. $47.
LP1809. Tiptree, Jr., James. Crown of Stars. Tor, 1988. First edition hardback, a Near Fine+ copy with slight bumping at head and heel and a sticker ghost on FFE in a Near Fine+ dust jacket with haze rubbing, wrinkling at head and heel, and slight general wear. $5.
LP1810. Utley, Steven & George W. Proctor, editors (Harlan Ellison, Bruce Sterling, Howard Waldrop, Lisa Tuttle, Tom Reamy, Chad Oliver, etc.). Lone Star Universe. Heidelberg Publishers, 1976. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Very Good+ dust jacket with a shallow 1/16″ chip at head, several tiny closed tears along top edge, one long crease along the very bottom of the front cover, and slight darkening in shallow strips along top and bottom edges of front and rear flaps (probably from an old-style dust jacket protector affixed there; despite all the forgoing, this is actually in much better condition than the jacket is usually found (which is usually beat to hell), as the rest of the jacket is quite bright and unrubbed. Original collection of stories by mostly then up and coming Texas writers. Neither the Sterling nor Waldrop stories have ever been reprinted. $75.
LP1811. Vance, Jack. Hard Luck Diggings. Subterranean Press, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. New collection of short stories from the first 12 years of Vance. All the Subterranean vance books have sold out their first printings fairly quickly, so I expect this to as well. $37.
LP1812. VanderMeer, Jeff. Finch. Underlands Press, 2009. One of 350 signed, numbered hardback copies (“The Rebel Samizdat Edition”), with Murder By Death CD laid in, A Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread, in a wax-signet sealed (!) Mylar bag. Nebula Award and World Fantasy Award finalist. $47
LP921. Wellman, Manly Wade. Lonely Vigils. Carcosa House, 1981. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy in a Near Fine- dj with a trace of bumping to book head and heel, in a price-clipped dj with rubbing along the folds of the extremities and a 3/8″ closed tear and small associated crease to the top rear dj, in dj protector. Signed on the publisher’s bookplate by Wellman and illustrator George Evans. I am given to understand that Carcosa House remaindered copies of the signed edition, which explains the corner clip. All of Wellman’s occult detective stories featuring John Thundstone, Judge Pursuivant, and Professor Enderby. A reasonably attractive copy of a very rich and entertaining landmark short story collection. Recommended. $85.
LP698. Wellman, Manly Wade. Fearful Rock and Other Precarious Locales (The Selected Stories of Manly Wade Wellman, Volume 3). Night Shade Books, 2001. First edition hardback, Fine sans dj, as issued, new and unread. Introduction by Stephen Jones. This volume contains some of Wellman’s novella length fiction, including the excellent “Coven.” $22.
LP922. Wellman, Manly Wade (Karl Edward Wagner). Owls Hoot in the Daytime and Other Omens (Selected Stories of Manly Wade Wellman, Volume 5). Night Shade Books, 2003. First edition hardback, a Fine copy, sans dj, as issued. Fifth and final volume of collected Wellman, containing all the Silver John stories. Introduction by Karl Edward Wagner. $22
LP1132. Wellman, Manly Wade. Giants from Eternity (with The Timeless Tomorrow). Night Shade Books, 2004. First edition this, including the first hardback appearance of The Timeless Tomorrow, a Fine- copy in a Fine- dj with a tiny bump at heel, otherwise new and unread. $10.
LP1813. Williams, Liz. The Shadow Pavilion. Night Shade Press, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. New Detective Inspector Chan novel. $15.
LP1553. Williams, Walter Jon. Implied Spaces. Night Shade Books, 2008. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Far future space opera that looks like a cross between Jack Vance and Charlie Stross. Having his latest come from a small press might flat-foot some people, and I’m pretty sure the print run on this will be smaller than his books from Eos or Tor… $12.
LP1814. (Wolfe, Gene). Andre-Druissi, Michael. The Wizard Knight Companion. Sirius Fiction, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Companion to Wolfe’s deeply interesting Wizard Knight duology. Pretty much a must if you’re a serious (no pun intended) Wolfe fan. $26.
LP1815. Zelazny, Roger. Nine Princes in Amber. Doubleday, 1970. First edition hardback (Currey, p. 571, Levack 28a) with First Printing stated and date code L16 on page 188 , an Ex-Library copy with all the usual flaws, including pocket remains to rear, numerous date stamps and paper attachments to FFE, book taped to dust jacket with non-archival tapes, the remains of which have now discolored, with spine lean, worn bottom boards, in a a largely intact but worn dust jacket, with sun-faded spine and stamp at spine heel, numerous white-line creases along spine and at top front of book, a few shallow chips (1/16″) on front dj bottom, small spots of abrasion near the line creasing next to (but not on) the “N” in “Nine” on the front cover, moderate discoloration to white back cover, and general wear; call it a Good/Good Ex-library copy, since the book is very well read, but still structurally sound. The first book in the Amber series. The story is that Doubleday’s warehouse was mistakenly ordered to pulp all Zelazny’s books the same day this one arrived from the printer, which means that only pre-orders and library sales escaped the pulping, and why the vast majority of the very few copies that come up for sale are Ex-Library copies. Normally a book in this condition would only be a space filler copy, but this is so rare that it may have to suffice unless you’re willing to drop a couple of grand for a non Ex-Lib. Highly recommended. $375.
LP1816. Zivkovic, Zoran. Impossible Stories II. PS Publishing, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued, new and unread. His newest collection of stories. $28.
Trade Paperbacks (including chapbooks)
LP456. Barrett, Neal, Jr. Interstate Dreams. Mojo Press, 1999. First edition trade paperback original (TPO), first state with title page facing the wrong direction, Fine, apparently unread. Offbeat story about a vet with the power to pick any lock or slip by any alarm. Signed by Barrett. Back in stock after a long absence. $13.
LP1708. Dick, Philip K. Puttering About in a Small Land. Tor, 2009. Advanced Uncorrected Proof of the first Tor edition, trade paperback format, a Fine copy, new and unread. Good to see Tor bringing back some of the more obscure mainstream Dick titles into print. This edition isn’t scheduled to be published until December. $15.
LP533. (Dick, Philip K.) Levack, Daniel J. H. PKD: A Philip K. Dick Bibliography. First edition trade paperback original (simultaneous with the hardback edition), a Fine copy. Essential and highly recommended if you collect Dick, and increasingly hard to find. $70.
LP1818. Lansdale, Joe R. The Best of Joe R. Lansdale. Tachyon, 2010. First edition trade paperback original (TPO), a Fine copy, new and unread. Joe said he was pissed when Tachyon called this the “Best of,” as that wasn’t on the contract. Chances are pretty good I’ll be able to get Joe to sign this at Armadillocon. $13
LP1819. Lansdale, Joe R. The Complete Drive-In. Underland Press, 2010. All threee of the Drive-In novels, along with an introduction by Bubba Ho-Tep director Don Coscarelli, along with some full-color art in the middle from the never-filmed Drive-In movie. $14.
LP1820. Stephenson, Neil. The Big U. Vintage, 1984. First edition trade paperback original (TPO), a Near Fine copy with thin red remainder line at head, the usual glue bunching to pages (a publisher’s flaw present on every copy examined), a very faint sticker ghost to FFE (you might not see it unless you were looking for it),almost invisible phantom crease at top front cover along spine and a small, slight crease at bottom front corner. A fairly presentable copy of Stephenson’s first novel, which has never had a hardback edition. $49.
LP1821. (Wolfe, Gene) Borski, Robert and Michael Andre-Driussi. Cicerone Sinister: a guide to Gene Wolfe’s The Fifth Head of Cerberus. Sirius Fiction, 2001. First edition chapbook, a Fine copy, new and unread. $5.
LP1822. (Wolfe, Gene) Andre-Driussi, Michael. Synopsis of the Narrative of Severian the Great, Last True Autarch of Urth. Sirius Fiction, 1998. Second edition chapbook, a Fine copy, new and unread. Sirius Fiction Booklet NS-1. Covers events in the Book of the New Sun and The Urth of the New sun. I think I picked up his last copy, and there’s not another copy online. Let me spin the Wheel of Greed here, keeping in mind it’s a critical chapbook….$20.
Mass Market Paperbacks
LP1823. Burroughs, Edgar Rice. The People That Time Forgot. Ace, 1973. Reprint paperback, a NF- copy with slight edgewear, slight spine lean, and a faint crease. Frank Frazetta cover. $3.
LP1824. Campbell, John W. The Black Star Passes. Ace (F-346), 1953. Presumably the first paperback edition (PBO), a Fine- copy with a tiny bit of bumping at head and even less at heel. And Arcot, Wade and Morey space opera adventure. $3.
LP1825. Dozois, Gardner, and Jack Dann, editors (Stephen King, Gene Wolfe, Manly Wade Wellman, Fritz Leiber, etc.). Magicats! Ace, 1984. First edition paperback original (PBO), an Ex_library copy with stamps and removed pocket, otherwise VG- with spine lean and creasing. Contains Stephen King’s “The Cat From Hell,” along with stories by Manly Wade Wellman, Fritz Leiber, Gene Wolfe (twice!), etc. $5
LP1826. Hinz, Christopher. The Paratwa. Tor, 1995. First paperback edition, a VG+ copy with one spine crease and foxing to inner covers. Concluding volume to The Paratwa Trilogy, an excellent action/adventure SF series about pairs of genetically engineered, telepathically-linked assassins, and the hardest volume to find. Highly recommended. $8.
LP1827. Howard, Robert E. Cthulhu: The Mythos and Kindred Horrors. Bean, 1987. First edition paperback original (PBO), a VG+ copy with spine creasing and edgewear. All the Mythos-related tales of Conan-creator (and Lovecraft correspondent) Robert E. Howard. $7.
LP1828. Huff, Tanya. Ravenloft: Scholar of Decay. TSR, 1995. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with just the tiniest bit of edgewear, otherwise new and unread. One of the less common Ravenloft books. $9.
LP1829. Lansdale, Joe R. The Drive In 2 (Not Just One of Them Sequels). Bantam, 1989. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine+ copy with stamp to heel and a touch of edgewear, otherwise apparently new and unread. Another book I plan to get signed this weekend. $9.
LP1831. Shea, Michael. The Mines of Behemoth. Baen, 1997. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a touch of edgewear to extremities and foxing to inner covers. Sequel to Nifft the Lean, not as good (and not as good as the The A’rak, the following volume), but still worth reading, and not as easy to find. $8.
LP1832. Vinge, Vernor. The Witling. Baen, 1987. First Baen edition, a VG paperback copy with notable crease along back cover near spine, spine creasing, stamp to blurb page, and general wear. Probably his most obscure novel; you mention the title to people, and they go “What the hell is that?” $5.
LP1833. Zebrowski, George (Howard Waldrop, James Tiptree, Jr., James Morrow, Rudy Rucker, Marc Laidlaw, etc.). Synergy: Volume Two. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with slight wrinkles to head and heel, otherwise new and unread. So HBJ, not known as an SF publisher, decided to do a series of paperback original anthologies, and then, after disappointing sales for the first one, went “Hey, these aren’t selling! Let’s raise the price!” Which they did, to $8.95, a price completely unheard of at the time. Shockingly, such a bold pricing policy did not cause the books to fly off the shelf, and the series was cancelled after four books. I will say that the books do have much higher production values than the usual paperbacks, with nice, white, acid-free pages. Signed by Waldrop. $8.
LP1834. Zelazny, Roger. The Dream Master. Ace (F-403), 1968. First edition (40¢ on cover, no additional printings stated on copyright page, as per Currey) paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine copy with large bookstore stamp on blurb page, a nick at heel, foxing to insider covers, and touches of edgewear. Expansion of the Nebula-winning “He Who Shapes.” Levack 14a. $5.
LP1835. Zelazny, Roger. Four for Tomorrow. Ace (M-155), 1967. First edition (45¢ on cover, no additional printings stated on copyright page, as per Currey) paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine+ copy with slight mangling to top front corner tip and a tiny bit of edgewear at extremities, otherwise nice and square. Four stories: “The Furies,” “The Graveyard Heart,” “The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth,” and “A Rose for Ecclesiastes”. Recommended. Levack 17a. $4.
Lawrence Person
Lame Excuse Books
New Lame Excuse Books Catalog This Week
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010Maybe as soon as tonight, as it’s just about ready to roll. If you want a copy and are not on my mailing list, drop me a line at lawrenceperson@gmail.com so I can add you. This time around there’s lots of new Joe R. Lansdale, Alastair Reynolds, Jack Vance, etc., and the usual selection of small press first editions, Award winners and rarities.
And in case you hadn’t noticed, the new Lame Excuse Books webpage is now at https://www.lawrenceperson.com/lame.html.
Library Additions, January 25, 2010—July 11, 2010
Sunday, July 11th, 2010It’s been a while since I listed additions to my library, so here’s an update for my fellow bookoholics that includes everything since the weekend of my Archer City trip. All are new and unread Fine first edition hardbacks in Fine dust jackets, unless otherwise noted. Now that I’ve finished staining and varnishing a new bookshelf, and moving books around to accommodate it, I hope to do a more detailed photographic post on my library, since a few people complained that they couldn’t read the spine titles in the last set of pictures.
Books that I have available for sale through Lame Excuse Books are marked LEB (though some of those titles won’t appear on the stock page until after I send out my book catalog later this month), while other current publications contain Amazon links.
- Baker, Kage. Not Less Than Gods. Subterranean Press, 2010. One of 474 signed, numbered copies.
- Barron, Neil, ed. What Fantastic Fiction Do I Read Next? A Reader’s Guide to Recent Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction. Gale Research, 1998. Non-fiction. Issued without dj.
- Bear, Elizabeth. Bone and Jewel Creatures. Subterranean Press, 2010.
- Bear, Greg. Hegira. Dell, 1979. PBO original, NF-.
- Bond, Nelson. Mr. Mergenthwirker’s Lobblies and Other Fantastic Tales. Coward-McCann, 1946. NF in a VG, price-clipped dj. Inscribed by Bond.
- Campbell, Ramsey. Creatures of the Pool. PS Publishing, 2009. LEB
- Chabon, Michael. The Final Solution. Fourth Estate, 2004. One of an undetermined number of copies signed on a special limitation page issued by the publisher.
- Datlow, Ellen and Teri Windling, editors. The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror: Thirteenth Annual Collection. St. Martins, 2000. Inscribed to me by Datlow.
- Datlow, Ellen, Gavin Grant and Kelly Link, editors. The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror 2007: Twentieth Annual Collection. St. Martins, 2007. Inscribed to me by Datlow.
- Datlow, Ellen, Gavin Grant and Kelly Link, editors. The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror 2008: Twenty-First Annual Collection. St. Martins, 2008. Inscribed to me by Datlow.
- Del Rey, Lester. Mortals and Monsters. Ballantine Books, 1965. PBO, Fine-.
- (Dick, Philip K.) Williams, Paul. Only Apparently Real: The Life of Philip K. Dick. Arbor House, 1986. Non-fiction. Fine copy in wraps, as issued (no hardback).
- Domenici, Joe. Bringing Back the Dead. Thomas Dunn, 2008. Inscribed to me by the author.
- Duncan, Andy. Night Cache. PS Publishing, 2009. LEB
- Erikson, Steven. Crack’d Pot Trail. PS Publishing, 2009. LEB
- Fernandez-Florez, W[encesiao]. The Seven Pillars. Macmillan and Co., Ltd. (UK), 1934. First edition hardback, a NF/G+ copy.
- Gaiman, Neil. The Facts In The Case Of The Departure Of Miss Finch. Night Horse Comics, 2007. Hardback graphic novel.
- Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. HarperCollins, 2008. Fine in a Fine- dust jacket.
- Harrison, Harry. Bill, the Galactic Hero. Doubleday, 1965. Fine in a Near Fine, slightly spine-darkened dust jacket.
- Hill, Joe. Horns. PS Publishing, 2010. First UK and first limited edition hardback, one of 200 copies signed by both the author and artist Vincent Chong in traycase with three extra chapters not in the trade edition, extra art not in any other edition, etc. a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and traycase. Notably thicker than the signed, slipcased edition. LEB
- Hill, Joe. Horns. PS Publishing, 2010. First UK and first limited edition hardback, one of 500 copies signed, slipcased copies. LEB
- Houdini, Harry. The Right Way to Do Wrong: An Expose of Successful Criminals. Easton Press, no date (probably around 2000); Reprint of the 1906 wraps original done as part of the Treasures of the Library of Congress series. Hardback, no dust jacket, as issued. Non-fiction.
- Howard, Robert E. Cthulhu: The Mythos and Kindred Horrors. Baen, 1987. PBO, Fine (replaces a VG copy). LEB
- Koontz, Dean R./ Bulmer, Kenneth. The Fall of the Dream Machine/The Star Venturers. Ace, 1969. PBO, NF.
- Kowal, Mary Robinette. Scenting the Dark. Subterranean Press, 2009.
- Lansdale, Joe R. The Best of Joe R. Lansdale. Tachyon, 2009. TPO. LEB
- Lansdale, Joe R. and Keith, editor. Son of Retro Pulp Tales. Subterranean Press, 2010. One of 200 signed, numbered copies, signed by all the contributors. LEB
- Leiber, Fritz. Selected Stories. Night Shade Books, 2010. LEB
- Ligotti, Thomas. Songs of a Dead Dreamer. Subterranean Press, 2010. Hardback. First edition thus.
- (Lovecraft, H. P.) Joshi, S. T. Black Wings: Tales of Lovecraftian Horror. PS Publishing, 2010. LEB
- Mitford, Bertram. The Sign of the Spider. Methuen & Co., 1896. VG- copy, no dust jacket (may not have been issued with one).
- Partridge, Norman. Lesser Demons. Subterranean Press, 2010. First edition hardback, one of 200 copies with bonus chapbook.Red Rover, Red Rover.
- (Pohl, Frederik) Hull, Elizbeth Anne, editor. Gateways. Tor, 2010. Tribute anthology.
- (Powers, Tim) Berlyne, John., ed. Powers: Secret Histories. PS Publishing, 2009.
- Reynolds, Alastair. Deep Navigation. NESFA Press, 2010. LEB
- Reynolds, Alastair. Terminal World. Gollancz, 2010. Signed by the author. LEB
- Shea, Michael. The Extra. Tor, 2010.
- Shepard, Lucius. Viator Plus. PS Publishing, 2010. LEB
- Shepard, Lucius. The Tanborn Scale. Subterranean Press, 2010.
- Simmons, Dan. Black Hills. Reagan Arthur Books, 2010. Inscribed to me by Simmons.
- Tymn Marshall B. Horror Literature A Core Collection and Reference Guide. R. R. Bowker, 1981. Non-fiction. No DJ, as issued.
- Vance, Jack. Hard Luck Diggings. Subterranean Press, 2010. LEB
- VanderMeer, Jeff. Finch: The Rebel Samizdat Edition. Underlands Press, 2009. One of 350 signed, numbered copies with a Murder By Death CD laid in, in wax-signet sealed (!) Mylar bag. LEB
- Wellman, Manly Wade. Giants from Eternity. Avalon, 1959. A Fine copy in a Near Fine dust jacket.
- Wilson, F. Paul. The Last Rakosh. Overlook Connection Press, 2008. One of 500 signed/numbered copies.
- Zelazny, Roger. The Dream Master. Ace, 1966. PBO, Fine. LEB
- Zelazny, Roger. Four for Tomorrow. Ace, 1967. PBO, Fine.
- Zelazny, Roger. Hymn to the Sun: An Imitation, DNA Publications, 1996. Poetry chapbook, a Fine- copy with some rubbing to price code on rear cover.
- Zelazny, Roger. This Immortal. Ace, 1964. PBO, Fine. LEB
- Zivkovic, Zoran. Impossible Stories 2. PS Publishing, 2009. LEB
New Page for Lame Excuse Books
Thursday, June 10th, 2010Given TimeWarner’s continued incompetence, I’m slowly pulling all of my website from rr.com over to here. I now have the main Lame Excuse Books page at:
https://www.lawrenceperson.com/lame.html
If you’ve never bought anything from me before, Lame Excuse Books specializes in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and Slipstream first editions, with an emphasis on small press and signed editions. I have lots of books available by the like of Joe R. Lansdale, Howard Waldrop, Neil Gaiman, Charles Stross, John Scalzi, etc.
So update your book marks! And it wouldn’t hurt for you to buy a book or ten…
Recent Book Auction Results of Note
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010You may already have noticed that I buy a lot of books. Many I buy direct from the publisher (many of which I also sell copies of through Lame Excuse Books), some I buy from other book dealers, either off the Internet or at cons, some I buy off eBay (although that’s a lot less common since they drove away a goodly portion of the most interesting items by hiking fees into the stratosphere in their effort to turn themselves into an inferior Amazon clone), and a few I buy through auction houses, like PBA Galleries or Heritage Auctions.
Heritage just completed their 2010 June Signature Rare Books Auction, which, while not focused on science fiction the way the The Ventura Collection auction back in 2007 was, still had a number of notable science fiction and fantasy books up for auction, including a few titles made of Unobtanium. The interesting thing is that the three most notable fantasy titles didn’t sell:
- A Fine/Fine (not really, if you read the description, but close enough for this title) first edition of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit failed to attract the opening bid of $47,500.00.
- Likewise, a very nice set of The Lord of the Rings failed to garner an opening bid of $32,500.00.
- Finally, an Ex-Library first of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone failed to sell.
I thought the price estimate on the Lord of the Rings set was unrealistically aggressive, as decent sets in dust jacket can be had in the $10,000-20,000 range. Nice firsts of The Hobbit in dust jacket are very rare, but I’m seeing a few copies of that available in the $20,000 range as well. (If memory serves, several years ago L. W. Currey had, I think, a signed Fine/Near Fine+ copy in dust jacket listed for $68,000.)
What does all this mean? Who know? Up at the very highest end of the book market, auction prices can be extremely volatile depending on who’s bidding. Maybe the prices were just too high. Or maybe the big money is sitting out in anticipation of prices dropping due to a double-dip recession.