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.

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]

The Last Word on First Editions

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]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

The Art of Penguin Science Fiction

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]

Google Book Search

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]

Bookscans.com

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

Other Great Reference Sites: Books

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 99 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Rare Signed Robot Dreams Asimov, Isaac 1/300 Signed First Edition MintEaston Press - Bradbury Stories - Signed First EditionWorks Of Jules Verne Limited Edition #15Signed Limited Edition Nemesis Isaac Asimov, FineMartian Chronicles Easton Press Ray Bradbury * Signed * Sealed1875 Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Seas, Early Edition, IllustThe Mysterious Island By Jules Verne Hc Book & Dj-1925 Scribner's-wyeth ArtEaston Press - Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ray Bradbury - Very RareJourney To The Center Of The Earth Easton Press Jules Verne Sealed Rare!Arthur C. Clarke Signed 2010: Odyssey Two Classic Sci Fi Trilogy True First EditIsaac Asimov Foundation First Edition Gnome Press 1951 Binding AVintage Lot 9 Lurid Spicy Sci Fi Pulp Magazines Space Age Covers Complete TitlesHave Space Suit - Will Travel, By Robert Heinlein, 1958, Hb/dj2000ad Prog 1! The First Issue Of The Classic British Sci-fi Comic!Planet Stories Summer 1948 Pillar Of Fire By Ray Bradbury Nice Squarebound SpineSigned 1st Edition Ray Bradbury From The Dust ReturnedLot Of 101 Science Fiction Fantasy Vintage Rare Books Paperback Pbs Sci-fi NrFahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury - Folio Society Edition, 2011 Rare Sf Wonder Stories Sep 1935 Editor Hugo Gernsback Pulp Science Fiction Mag.Easton Press - Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury - Signed 1st Ed - Very Rare4 Troubador Press Coloring Books Science Fiction Anthology Book +Lost Worlds - The Journal Of Clark Ashton Smith Studies #1 Sci-fi Pb MintBig Lot Of (21) Jerry Pournelle Science Fiction Sci Fi Books There Will Be WarWeird Tales Pulp March 1945 Classic Ray Bradbury & Great Cover Art!Five Weeks In A Balloon Jules Verne C1900 Decorative HardbackLot Of 45 Vintage Daw Science Fiction Books, Yellow Spines, Most 1st PrintingsEaston Press - From The Dust Returned - Ray Bradbury - Signed 1st Ed - Very RareAstounding Science Fiction Aug August 1939 - Robert E Heinlein's 1st Story Robert A Heinlein - The Menace From Earth - 1st Uk Hc 1966Robert A Heinlein - The Past Through Tomorrow - 1st Uk Hc/dj 1977Lot Of 20 Vintage Science Fiction Anthologies / Pbks / GoodEaston Press Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea By Jules Verne 100 GreatestLot Of 11 Vintage Science Fiction Paperbacks- Ace Doubles +The Mysterious Island Jules Verne Edward Wilson The Easton Press Famous EditionsIsaac Asimov Foundation Trilogy One Volume Signed And Dated 1957!Jules Verne - A Floating City 1876 Part Leather Hb With Illustrations - 1st Ed'?Vtg Lot Of 5 1952 Fantasy Science Fiction Pulp Fantasy Magazine Lot 7Lot Of 48 Del Rey (ballantine) Is Publisher , Science Fiction Paperback BooksVtg Lot Of 12 1960's Fantasy Science Fiction Pulp Fantasy Magazine Lot 8Vtg Lot Of 9 1958 Fantasy Science Fiction Pulp Fantasy Magazine Lot 2Sf News Letter #22 (10/51): Robert A. Heinlein, Campbell, Brown, Simak, TuckerVtg Lot Of 6 1962's Fantasy Science Fiction Pulp Fantasy Magazine Lot 10Vtg Lot Of 12 1961's Fantasy Science Fiction Pulp Fantasy Magazine Lot 9Lot Of 13 Lin Carter Vintage Pb - Science Fiction - Jandar - Thongor - Callisto~ Rare First Edition Science Fiction The Ant Men Eric North 1955 W/ Dust Jacket17 Science Fiction Books. Asimov. Ringo. Pournelle, And MoreAstounding 9/41 Pulp Magazine, Asimov, Heinlein, Campbell Jr1957 Robert Heinlein Door Into Summer Sci-fi Hardcover In Dust JacketAstounding 10/41 Pulp Magazine, Asimov, Heinlein, De Camp, SturgeonWorks Of Jules Verne #10 Dick Sands & Measuring A Meridian Hc (1911)Astounding 8/41 Pulp Magazine HeinleinAstounding 7/41 Pulp Magazine, HeinleinScarce Vintage - Lot Of 20 - Ace Double Novels - Sci Fi - D Series - Reading Copies - Ace DoublesLot Of 9 Annual Worlds Best Sf Science Fiction 73-83 Hardcover BooksIsaac Asimov - Foundation Trilogy, Stars, Naked Sun & I, Robot - Hc/dj - F/f Science Fiction Book Lot All Ace Books 60s-90s 20+books25 Science Fiction And Fantasy Books, Novels - Sci Fi - Paperback LotA Touch Of Lilly By Nina Pierce Erotic Futuristic Sci-fi Menage Mfm Romance 4/13Franklin - Quicker Than The Eye - Ray Bradbury - Signed 1st Edition - Very Rare

Recent News: Science Fiction Books

Source: Google News

Independent Sacramento-based Publisher to produce horror anthology
Examiner.com, May 20th

There is a new independent publisher in town calling themselves Vile Press. Their main goal is to seek out the current unknown Sacramento writers in the area to accept and distribute their short horror stories to be available to the public as a free e...Read more

David Hunter: Library book launch completes the circle
Knoxville News Sentinel, May 20th

The first book I checked out was Isaac Asimov's “A Pebble in the Sky.” It turned me into a diehard fan of science fiction, opened up my small world and transformed me into a voracious reader. Furthermore, the women who ran that branch library turned a...Read more

Motor City Comic Con Draws thousands of science fiction lovers, two R2 units ...
MLive.com, May 19th

They came to the event strangers but formed a lasting bond exploring the huge science fiction and comic book expo together, each of them first-time attendees. "It was the best weekend of my life," said Katie Horace, 23, of Highland Township, wearing a...Read more

Monroe author is making millions online with 'Wool'
Charlotte Observer, May 19th

Why did it succeed when most books don't? There are many possible reasons. The stories, priced at 99 cents, encouraged impulse buys. The cryptic title, “Wool,” didn't sound like science fiction and may have attracted non-sci-fi fans. And the fact that...Read more

Tulare library hosts new science fiction book club
Visalia Times-Delta, May 16th

Brian is a Library Assistant in the Research and Information Department of Tulare Public Library. Find out more information about the Library's clubs and events, such as Brian's Sci/Fi Book Club at tularepubliclibrary.org or by calling 559-685-4500...Read more

Science fiction – review roundup
The Guardian, May 8th

The Best of All Possible Worlds (Jo Fletcher Books, £20) is a planetary romance that tells the tragic story of the Sadiri people, a telepathic strain of humanity whose race was almost wiped out before the novel opens. Grace Delerua, a Terran...Read more

Geek's Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Drop - May 2013 - Geek Magazine
Geek Magazine (blog), April 24th

You've got some epic and urban fantasy, but quite a bit of military science fiction alongside some collections of critically acclaimed authors. It looks to be a good blend of the fantastic to look forward to. Here's a handful of books for you to...Read more

New Sci-Fi Comic Book Embraces Gay Romance
Advocate.com, April 22nd

Comic fans who love sci-fi, action, and gay romance won't want to miss Alex Woolfson and Winona Nelson's new graphic novel Artifice. Not only because the story features gay protagonists, but because the comic portrays their relationship as completely...Read more