Comments on: One of Science Fiction’s Most Collectible Set of Books http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:24:10 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Susan J http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/comment-page-1/#comment-16905 Susan J Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:46:47 +0000 http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/#comment-16905 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. 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.

]]> By: John L http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/comment-page-1/#comment-1252 John L Fri, 02 Mar 2007 21:12:25 +0000 http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/#comment-1252 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. 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.

]]> By: Alan Chudnow http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Alan Chudnow Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:48:18 +0000 http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/#comment-162 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. 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.

]]> By: Stephen Lucchetti http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/comment-page-1/#comment-158 Stephen Lucchetti Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:24:58 +0000 http://www.collectingsf.com/bookworm/2007/01/11/one-of-science-fictions-most-collectible-set-of-books/#comment-158 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 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

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