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For book collectors, vintage science fiction titles hold a special appeal. They're not just portals to different worlds — all fiction can do that — but time-traveling excursions into the past to see how the greatest visionaries of the day imagined the future.
Whether it is a leather-bound copy of Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea from 1870, a well-thumbed paperback of Philip K. Dick’s 1968 dystopian nightmare Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, or a beautifully preserved copy of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation from 1951, vintage sci fi classics provide both glimpses of the future and windows on the past. The fact that authors like Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Frank Herbert (Dune), and Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land) were also amazing writers is simply icing on the cake.
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Dell 305, Invasion from Mars: Interpl…
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Victorian Science Fiction~ Etidorpha~…
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Interviews & Articles
Daniel H. Wilson on Robot Uprisings and Hollywood Sci-Fi Blockbusters
As a kid, I played with lots of robot toys, like Gobots and Transformers. Of course, robots are up there in the pantheon of pop cu… [more]
Rare Books: The Time Machine
One of my favorite "books as objects" is the first edition of H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine: an Invention.” Published in 1895, it … [more]
To Catch A Thief: A Rare Book Expert on His Literary Obsessions
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t read books. In grade school, I devoured library books. I also loved comic books, and was whe… [more]
An Interview on First Editions with Vintage Book Appraiser Matthew Haley
Strictly speaking, a book’s edition refers to the setting of the text. So the first time you set the text and print a book with it… [more]
An Interview With American Cookbook Expert and Rare Book Curator Peter Berg
Special collections is where we keep non-circulating rare materials which have to be used in the reading room. Our holdings range … [more]
Rita Smith on the Story of Children’s Books
I started working as the curator of the Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature in 1994, but I’d worked with the mater… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
The Art of Penguin Science Fiction
James Pardey's ode to Penguin science fiction book covers may take a while to load, but the wait is worth it. He's … [read review or visit site]
ERB Firsts
Patrick Ewing's great guide to first edition books by Edgar Rice Burroughs is filled with photos and detailed descr… [read review or visit site]
Google Book Search
Want to do one quick search and pull up the mother lode of vintage books? Try Google Book Search, a database filled… [read review or visit site]
Baldwin Library of Childrens Literature
If you’re interested in collectible childrens books, check out this special digital collection from the Universit… [read review or visit site]
Feeding America
This archive of 76 influential American cookbooks from the late 1700s to early 1900s, assembled by the Michigan St… [read review or visit site]
Gallery of Book Trade Labels
Greg Kindall's collection of over 2100 colorful and historic book labels, pasted into books by publishers, printers… [read review or visit site]
Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves
This great blog, by an anonymous mom in Texas, is an ongoing bibliography of hundreds of vintage childrens books, c… [read review or visit site]
Vintage Cookbooks Photo Pool
This Flickr photo pool features over 2,000 photos and scans of vintage cookbooks and old recipes from the 1940s to … [read review or visit site]
Rare Karate Book Collection
This visually interesting and highly specialized collection from the Hawaii Karate Museum focuses on rare and histo… [read review or visit site]
Czech Book Covers
This Smithsonian microsite showcases Czech avant-garde book cover designs from the 1920s and 30s, complete with hig… [read review or visit site]
Bookscans.com
Bruce Black's gallery of paperback book covers from the 1940s and 50s. With help from numerous contributors, he's a… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Books
- Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
- Bibliographical Society of America
- American Society of Bookplate Collectors
- The Bookplate Society
Other Great Reference Sites: Books
Top eBay Auctions
Jules Verne - 20'000 Leagues Under The Sea - 1875
Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury Ralph Steadman Fantasy Sci Fi Deluxe Ltd Ed Signed
Jules Verne Mysterious Island/around The World/journey Center Earth Easton Press
Jules Verne Easton Leather 5 Books! Rare!!
Robert A. Heinlein-the Notebooks Of Lazarus Long- 1st Ed.- Vassallo Illustrated
Vintage April 1954 Playboy Magazine Original Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451 & Jazz
Ray Bradbury, Signed First Edition, Death Lonely Business, Leather Franklin Mint
Ray Bradbury Signed Twice Fahrenheit 451 2001 Special Edition + Life Profile 
Huge Lot Of 87 Vintage Doctor Who Target Paperback Books Science Fiction Sci Fi
Easton Press ~ Around The World In 80 Days Jules Verne Collector Ed Leather 
Ray Bradbury Limited Edition Fahrenheit 451 Signed/autographed 1910/2000
Easton Press The Mysterious Island By Jules Verne Like New
Signed X3 Ray Bradbury, Joe R. Lansdale William Nolan Masques 1st Hcdj 1984 Rare
(29) Vintage A E Van Vogt Science Fiction Books
Futuristic Science Fiction 16 John Spencer British Sf Pulp Badger Book Aj Merak
3d World 3d Artist Hdri 3d Magazine Back Issue Lot Digital Fantasy Sci Fi Art Nr
7th Dimension Victor La Salle John Spencer British Science Fiction Pulp Sf Pb
Old Time Radio Ray Bradbury 60 Greatest Science Fiction Shows, 30 Cd Set
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Isaac Asimov Collection Of Classic Science Fiction Book Lot
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14 By David Drake Paperback Sci Fi Books Lot Hammers Slammers, Grimmer Than Hell
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Omni Magazine Year 1 First Issue October 1978 To September 1979 Science Fiction
Lot Of 5 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Paperbacks, Valis, Time Out Of Joint....
Lot Of 5 Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Paperbacks, Ubik, A Scanner Darkly.....
Sci-fi Bonanza, 23 Paperbacks, Book, Magazines, Bonus
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Jules Verne 1917 Illustrated Photo Play Edition
Lot 12 Omni Science Fiction Magazines 1982 Jan.-dec Excl. Cond.
Lot 12 Omni Science Fiction Magazines 1983 Jan.-dec Excl. Cond.
Astounding Stories Science Fiction Sept 1936 Murray Leinster Rz Gallun D Wandrei
Groff Conklin (ed,) - Science Fiction Adventures In Mutation - 1st Ed. In Jacket
Lot Of 29 Star Wars Science Fiction Paperback Books ~ New Jedi Order ~ X-wing
Worlds Of Tomorrow Science Fiction June August October December 1963 Philip Dick
Lot Of 15 R.a. Salvatore - Forgotten Realms -sci-fi Fantasy Fiction Juvenile
'dr Who Annual' 1974 Scarce Vg++ Condition!! [bbc Tv] [sci-fi]
Lot Of 11 Fantastic Science Fiction & Fantasy Stories 1974 1975 1976
Lot Of 10 Fantastic Science Fiction & Fantasy Stories 1972 1973
Lot Of 10 Fantastic Science Fiction & Fantasy Stories 1972 1973
Amazing Stories Science Fiction July August September December 1964 Jose Farmer
Lot Of 92 Science Fiction Fantasy Sci-fi Paperback Books ~ Star Wars Larry Niven
Hard To Find Horror & Sci-fi - Clark Ashton Smith And Dean Koontz - Rare
Michael Crichton Signed Autographed State Of Fear 1st Edition Hc/dj Sci Fi Book
Astounding Science Fiction May 1950 - L Ron Hubbard Dianetics - Scientology
Lot Of 92 Science Fiction Fantasy Sci-fi Paperback Books ~ Arthur C. Clarke
Hg Wells The Time Machine Hardcover No Slip Case Illustrated 1931 Very Good
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea By Jules Verne, 1946, Ill. By W.j. Aylward
Edgar Rice Burroughs The Venus Series 5 Books Ace Science Fiction 1979 Paperback
Modern Fantasy: 100 Best Novels (1989): King, Zelazny, Heinlein, Le Guin, Farmer
Editor's Choice In Science Fiction (1954 Hc/dj): Clarke, Long, Chambers, Kline
Robert A. Heinlein / Citizen Of The Galaxy: Full Cloth Scribner Hbdj
Dungeons & Dragons Illustrated Fantasy Sci Fi 9 Pbs Published 1982-1987
Robert A Heinlein Moon Is A Harsh Mistress Hc Book Dj 1st Edition 5th Print 1966
Stephen King Gunslinger: Original Publications. Fantasy And Science Fiction
Worlds Of Tomorrow Science Fiction November April 1964 + January March 1965
Worlds Of Tomorrow Science Fiction April 1963 + February June August 1964
Amazing Stories Science Fiction December Nov 1963 + May 1965 + September 1961
Fantasy And Science Fiction January May July August 1960 Leiber Young Barr Suter
Fantasy And Science Fiction February December 1951 + January 1954 + Dec 1952
Fantasy And Science Fiction August July August 1964 + October November 1963
Recent News: Science Fiction Books
Source: Google News
Last Chance to Become a Literary Evangelist for World Book Night
The Atlantic Cities, February 6th
Do you love forcing your favorite books upon strangers even more? Then you might be perfect for World Book Night, a globe-spanning reading initiative designed to press 1 million free books into the grubby hands of the uncultured on April 23,...Read more
Sci-fi from 1890 Revived in FRANK READE
Newsarama, February 6th
We spoke with Guinan and Bennett about their new book, updates on the Boilerplate movie, and more. Newsarama: Guys, tell us about Frank Reade and his adventures. Anina Bennett: Frank Reade Jr. is loosely based on a 19th-century dime novel hero,...Read more
Science Fiction Author Gene Wolfe To Receive A Hall Of Fame Award
Science Fiction, February 6thWolfe was chosen because of his “critically acclaimed collection of work in various genres, such as science fiction and fantasy.” Best known for his 'The Book of the New Sun' series, Wolfe has written over 100 books and short stories spanning a career...Read more
102 (or more) worthy sci-fi books
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (blog), February 6th
By Jim Higgins of the Journal Sentinel At Wired.com's GeekDad blog, Erik Wecks has posted a list of "102 Essential Science Fiction Books for Your Kindle." You don't have to read on a Kindle to enjoy this entertaining, helpful and discussion-worthy list...Read more
E-Books Allow the Return of the Pulps
Forbes, February 6thSci-fi and self-help. Even paranormal romance, where vampires seduce virgins and elves bonk trolls. The ebook world is driven by so-called genre fiction, categories such as horror or romance. It's not future classics that push digital sales,...Read more
Chicago Literary Hall of Fame honors science fiction writer Gene Wolfe
Chicago Tribune, February 5th
While he typically is known as a science fiction and fantasy writer, his books often blend and merge with themes from other genres. For example, his 2007 novel "Pirate Freedom," one of his personal favorites, is at its core a pirate tale, but it blends...Read more
Book Review: Throne Of The Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog), February 5thSo being an unabashed admirer of both science fiction and fantasy hasn't prevented me from seeing how, aside from a few notable exceptions, both genres are lily white and Euro-centric. While apologists can probably make a case for writers like Tolkien...Read more
Follow Science Fiction and Fantasy
Salon, February 5th
It's a book whose pages cannot be turned fast enough; a mystery with just a dash of science fiction and plot twists ripped from the business news headlines of the past year. Beware taking this book to bed with you, because you will stay up too late...Read more
