The Story & Significance
The Story & Significance
Originally serialized in Astounding Science Fiction in 1948, Dreadful Sanctuary is a core work of Eric Frank Russell’s "Fortean" era, exploring the haunting premise that Earth is an asylum for the cosmic insane. This copy features a significant association inscription in blue ink: "To Ken Johnson / Cordially and with best wishes / Eric F. Russell." Research identifies the recipient as Leslie J. (Ken) Johnson, the Liverpool-based fan who co-authored Russell's first professional story in 1937 and was a key figure in the early British Interplanetary Society.
Physical Description & Provenance
This is the 1951 Fantasy Press first edition, bound in the publisher's original, first priority, blue cloth with gilt spine lettering (Currey (revised ed.), p. 344). The book is in Near Fine condition with a tight, square binding and clean internal pages. There is minor bumping to the corners, as well as slight fading to the cloth at the top of the spine. The unclipped dust jacket ($2.75) features iconic art by Edd Cartier and is in Good condition. The jacket shows chipping at the spine ends, bumped corners, and rubbing to the panels. The top of the text block shows heavy soiling consistent with age and storage, which has not affected the interior pages.
Collector’s Note
For the specialist, this copy hits the essential points of issue for the Fantasy Press first printing: the blue cloth boards and the $2.75 unclipped jacket price. While the jacket shows wear, the value of this volume lies in the verified association to Russell's first collaborator. Inscriptions to members of the "Liverpool Group" are rare, marking this as a foundational artifact of mid-century British science fiction history.
The Story & Significance
The Story & Significance
Originally serialized in Astounding Science Fiction in 1948, Dreadful Sanctuary is a core work of Eric Frank Russell’s "Fortean" era, exploring the haunting premise that Earth is an asylum for the cosmic insane. This copy features a significant association inscription in blue ink: "To Ken Johnson / Cordially and with best wishes / Eric F. Russell." Research identifies the recipient as Leslie J. (Ken) Johnson, the Liverpool-based fan who co-authored Russell's first professional story in 1937 and was a key figure in the early British Interplanetary Society.
Physical Description & Provenance
This is the 1951 Fantasy Press first edition, bound in the publisher's original, first priority, blue cloth with gilt spine lettering (Currey (revised ed.), p. 344). The book is in Near Fine condition with a tight, square binding and clean internal pages. There is minor bumping to the corners, as well as slight fading to the cloth at the top of the spine. The unclipped dust jacket ($2.75) features iconic art by Edd Cartier and is in Good condition. The jacket shows chipping at the spine ends, bumped corners, and rubbing to the panels. The top of the text block shows heavy soiling consistent with age and storage, which has not affected the interior pages.
Collector’s Note
For the specialist, this copy hits the essential points of issue for the Fantasy Press first printing: the blue cloth boards and the $2.75 unclipped jacket price. While the jacket shows wear, the value of this volume lies in the verified association to Russell's first collaborator. Inscriptions to members of the "Liverpool Group" are rare, marking this as a foundational artifact of mid-century British science fiction history.
Image 1 of 10
Image 2 of 10
Image 3 of 10
Image 4 of 10
Image 5 of 10
Image 6 of 10
Image 7 of 10
Image 8 of 10
Image 9 of 10
Image 10 of 10
