Story & Significance
By 1950, A. E. van Vogt was one of the undisputed architects of Golden Age science fiction. Masters of Time brings together two of his most celebrated novellas — "Masters of Time" (originally published as "Recruiting Station") and "The Changeling" — in a single volume that showcases the relentless inventiveness and breakneck plotting that made van Vogt a defining voice of the era. Fantasy Press, the Reading, Pennsylvania specialty publisher that served as one of the great custodians of Golden Age SF in hardcover form, produced this edition with illustrations by Edd Cartier, whose work for Unknown and Astounding Science Fiction made him one of the most beloved artists of the pulp era. For collectors of Fantasy Press imprints, van Vogt firsts, or Golden Age SF more broadly, this title checks every box.
Physical Description
First edition, first printing, Fantasy Press, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1950. Illustrations by Edd Cartier. Condition: Near Fine in Very Good dust jacket.
The boards are tan — the second priority issue per Currey. The book itself is a strong example of the grade: binding tight with no lean, corners sharp and unbumped, pages extraordinarily clean — a genuinely uncommon find in a 75-year-old paperstock. The front board carries a very small black spot, noted for transparency; pastedowns show light toning consistent with age. The back board and spine display the slightest amount of soiling.
The dust jacket is unclipped and presents very well, with sunning to the spine — a characteristic and well-documented trait of Fantasy Press jackets from this period, owing to the dye lots used. The sunning here is moderate rather than extreme; the spine retains clear color and has not faded to white.
Collector's Note
Fantasy Press first editions are among the most sought-after artifacts of the Golden Age collecting market, produced in small print runs and increasingly difficult to find in collectible condition. The tan boards identify this as the second priority issue per Currey — a detail serious collectors will want to know. The combination of a tight, near fine book with an unclipped jacket — even one with characteristic spine sunning — represents a solid acquisition. Van Vogt's standing in the canon, and the presence of Edd Cartier's illustrations, add further appeal. Buyers seeking a display-grade copy of a Fantasy Press van Vogt should look carefully; this grade doesn't come along often.
Story & Significance
By 1950, A. E. van Vogt was one of the undisputed architects of Golden Age science fiction. Masters of Time brings together two of his most celebrated novellas — "Masters of Time" (originally published as "Recruiting Station") and "The Changeling" — in a single volume that showcases the relentless inventiveness and breakneck plotting that made van Vogt a defining voice of the era. Fantasy Press, the Reading, Pennsylvania specialty publisher that served as one of the great custodians of Golden Age SF in hardcover form, produced this edition with illustrations by Edd Cartier, whose work for Unknown and Astounding Science Fiction made him one of the most beloved artists of the pulp era. For collectors of Fantasy Press imprints, van Vogt firsts, or Golden Age SF more broadly, this title checks every box.
Physical Description
First edition, first printing, Fantasy Press, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1950. Illustrations by Edd Cartier. Condition: Near Fine in Very Good dust jacket.
The boards are tan — the second priority issue per Currey. The book itself is a strong example of the grade: binding tight with no lean, corners sharp and unbumped, pages extraordinarily clean — a genuinely uncommon find in a 75-year-old paperstock. The front board carries a very small black spot, noted for transparency; pastedowns show light toning consistent with age. The back board and spine display the slightest amount of soiling.
The dust jacket is unclipped and presents very well, with sunning to the spine — a characteristic and well-documented trait of Fantasy Press jackets from this period, owing to the dye lots used. The sunning here is moderate rather than extreme; the spine retains clear color and has not faded to white.
Collector's Note
Fantasy Press first editions are among the most sought-after artifacts of the Golden Age collecting market, produced in small print runs and increasingly difficult to find in collectible condition. The tan boards identify this as the second priority issue per Currey — a detail serious collectors will want to know. The combination of a tight, near fine book with an unclipped jacket — even one with characteristic spine sunning — represents a solid acquisition. Van Vogt's standing in the canon, and the presence of Edd Cartier's illustrations, add further appeal. Buyers seeking a display-grade copy of a Fantasy Press van Vogt should look carefully; this grade doesn't come along often.
