One of Science Fiction’s Most Collectible Set of Books
January 11th, 2007 by Alan Chudnow
A noteworthy update to my recent discussion on Fantasy Press was kindly provided by Fred Reynolds. It’s an amazing six-volume boxed set of E.E. “Doc” Smith’s Lensman books titled The History of Civilization. Limited to only 75 copies, the set includes Triplantary, First Lensman, Galactic Patrol, Gray Lensman, Second Stage Lensman, and Children of the Lens. Each volume is bound in quarter leather and has special “subscriber” title and limitation pages with numbered bookplates. The volumes were issued in clear plastic dust jackets instead of printed ones. Each set was packed in a lidded gift box. It is arguably one of the rarest sets of books in the Science Fiction genre.
As you might expect the set is extremely collectible and very pricey. Currently Barry R. Levin has volume 6, Children of the Lens available priced at $995.00 for the single volume and Fathead Books has volume 5, Second Stage Lensman listed at $500.00. The Fine Books Company is listing all the books together but state that two of the six volumes are signed trade editions while the other four are the subscribers editions with the limited bookplates. They list the set at $2343.32. (Now where did they get that number?)
Fred also pointed me to a web page with an excellent picture of the six books of the set (the above is a thumbnail); however the web site appears to have a severe bandwidth limit and is not always available. Or perhaps I was just unlucky in my timing. You can try your luck here.
Now if I only had a spare $2,400.00 lying around!
Always interesting to read about Doc Smith rarities!
A friend and fellow Doc Smith collector was able to purchase a very nice set of the leather bound History of Civilization for a good price a while back. I’ve got quite a few nice pictures of the set and am thinking of doing a write-up/full description of the set. It is indeed one of the rarest sets of Science Fiction books. Interesting (and hard to believe NOW) that all 75 of the sets never sold! Evidence indicates that a few sets were never sold and eventually got broken up and sold volume by volume.
BTW — not sure if you REALLY want the $2,400 set which fails to include even a single leather bound copy.
Are you aware that there have been TWO other specially hardbound sets of Smith’s “History of Civilization”? Currently a very nice leather bound set (unfortunately NOT really duplicating the original set) is available from Easton Press. ALSO several years ago Old Earth Books as they began reissuing paperback copies of the Lensman series created a nicely boxed leather-bound “History of Civilization” set (again NOT replicating the original) in what I believe was a run of less than 100 sets.
– Stephen Lucchetti
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Stephen,
I was aware of the Easton Press set but not of the Old Earth Books editions. A check of their web site shows the six trade paperback facsimile editions are still available. The leather-bound sets are long gone I’m afraid.
I’d love to see the pictures you have. When you write up your piece on your friend’s set perhaps you’d be kind enough to let me post it here or on the Collecting SF site.
Interesting enough, I happen to own one of the 75 sets, passed on to me from my grandfather. I have the box, but unfortunately do not have the clear dust covers for the books. They are definitely a nice part of my collection. I remember reading them when I was younger and staying at his house.
My late husband purchased set #3 about 12 years ago, shortly before he passed away. It was the centerpiece of his book colection. The books and plastic covers are in fine condition. The box is in poor condition and the cover is missing.