A Science Fiction Book Starter Collection
September 14th, 2006 by Alan Chudnow
A starter pack for the collector on the go?
I ran across the most astonishing thing.
Bernard J Shapero Rare Books, a reputable and generally well know London book dealer is offering a Sci-Fi Starter Collection. For £900 (about $1,700.00) one can buy an assortment of ten books by John Brunner, James Blish and Brian Aldiss from the 1950s to early 1960s. All are First Editions ranging from Very Good to Very Fine with similar dust jackets.The collection consists of the following:
- The Brink Brunner, John, Victor Gollancz Ltd., London, 1959
- Telepathist Brunner, John, Faber & Faber, London 1965
- The Long Result Brunner, John, Faber and Faber, London 1965
- They Shall Have Stars Blish, James, Faber & Faber, London 1956
- Earthman Come Home Blish, James, Faber & Faber, London 1956
- A Life for the Stars Blish, James, Faber & Faber, London 1964
- A Clash of Cymbals Blish, James, Faber & Faber, London 1959
- The Dark Light Years Aldiss, Brian, Faber & Faber, London 1964
- Space, Time and Nathaniel Aldiss, Brian, Faber & Faber, London 1957
- Hothouse Aldiss, Brian, Faber & Faber, London 1962
All excellent and collectible books, the two stars being Aldiss’ Space, Time and Nathaniel along with Hothouse, his 1962 Hugo award winner. After a quick search and a couple of phone calls I managed to find all of these from different sellers in similar condition for a total of about $1,050.00 so Shapero’s collection isn’t exactly a bargain. He does however save you from doing the legwork. But is that really a good thing?
I’m not really so sure how I feel about this. For me, and I know a great many others who feel the same way, an important part of the joy derived from collecting SF books is the hunt. Browsing through shelves, rummaging among bookshops or (less satisfying) searching on the internet, for a rare find or bargain to add to the collection. Somehow Shapero’s starter collection seems more like ordering a combo meal at the local fast food drive-through.
“I’ll have the Sci-Fi Rare Book Combo meal please, and can I have a large dust jacket cover to go with that?”
Maybe it’s me but it just doesn’t seem quite right. What do you think?
I’ll chime in with an agreement. I typically will refuse all offers of assistance. It would deprive me of the pleasure of perusing the shelves. The most I will ask is the location if the science fiction books. I have to qualify that this is partly due to my personality. I generally refuse to ask for directions (not that it matters as I never get lost). But mostly I just like looking through book stores.
The “starter kit” would only be of interest if you were interested in Aldiss, Blish and Brunner or in collecting every scifi author A-Z.
Chuck,
Indeed. The satisfaction of the search and the thrill of the find is, to my mind, a critical part of the joy of collecting. Though the books in Shapero’s starter pack may be wonderful, collectible books I would prefer to discover them myself.
I can, however, understand if others feel differently. Getting a “jump” on a good collection could be just the inspiration someone needs to embark on a very rewarding lifetime of collecting.