A.E. van Vogt was one of the defining voices of Golden Age science fiction, a writer whose best work combined labyrinthine plotting with ideas that felt genuinely unsettling. The Mind Cage, published by Simon & Schuster in 1957, is a later novel but a characteristic one: a story of identity exchange set against a future totalitarian state, expanding themes van Vogt had worked with since his earliest pulp fiction. It’s not Slan or The World of Null-A, but for readers who came to van Vogt through those books and wanted more, it delivered exactly what they were looking for.
This copy is inscribed “sincerely, Lydea and A.E. van Vogt” in a single hand on the title page, almost certainly Lydea’s. Lydea van Vogt was not simply a spouse in the background: she co-wrote several titles with her husband, published under the byline E. Mayne Hull, and was a working collaborator in the fullest sense. A copy bearing both names is a genuine association item from the van Vogt household.
Per Currey’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors, the first edition was published by Simon & Schuster, New York, 1957, with “first printing so stated on copyright page.” The copyright page of this copy confirms that statement.
Physical Description
The book is quarterbound in yellow cloth with dark green boards and black spine lettering, as issued. The text block carries a black topstain. Internally, pages are tanned, consistent with the acidic paper stock typical of the period and noted in other copies of this title. There is writing on the front free endpaper. The dustjacket artwork is credited to Signature Studio. The book is in very good condition, with minor corner bumping and light shelfwear.
The dustjacket is near fine and unclipped, retaining the original printed price of $3.50 on the front flap.
Collector’s Note
The inscription “sincerely, Lydea and A.E. van Vogt” appears on the title page in a single hand; photographs are included in the listing images. There is also writing in very light pencil on the front free endpaper, also shown in photographs. The near fine, price-intact dustjacket is a genuine plus for a 1957 title; copies in this condition with original flap pricing intact are less common than the condition grades alone might suggest.
For a collector focused on van Vogt’s career, or on signed and inscribed copies of mid-century Simon & Schuster science fiction, this is a copy worth serious consideration. Buyers who prefer a completely unmarked copy should note both the title page inscription and the front free endpaper writing before purchasing.
A.E. van Vogt was one of the defining voices of Golden Age science fiction, a writer whose best work combined labyrinthine plotting with ideas that felt genuinely unsettling. The Mind Cage, published by Simon & Schuster in 1957, is a later novel but a characteristic one: a story of identity exchange set against a future totalitarian state, expanding themes van Vogt had worked with since his earliest pulp fiction. It’s not Slan or The World of Null-A, but for readers who came to van Vogt through those books and wanted more, it delivered exactly what they were looking for.
This copy is inscribed “sincerely, Lydea and A.E. van Vogt” in a single hand on the title page, almost certainly Lydea’s. Lydea van Vogt was not simply a spouse in the background: she co-wrote several titles with her husband, published under the byline E. Mayne Hull, and was a working collaborator in the fullest sense. A copy bearing both names is a genuine association item from the van Vogt household.
Per Currey’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors, the first edition was published by Simon & Schuster, New York, 1957, with “first printing so stated on copyright page.” The copyright page of this copy confirms that statement.
Physical Description
The book is quarterbound in yellow cloth with dark green boards and black spine lettering, as issued. The text block carries a black topstain. Internally, pages are tanned, consistent with the acidic paper stock typical of the period and noted in other copies of this title. There is writing on the front free endpaper. The dustjacket artwork is credited to Signature Studio. The book is in very good condition, with minor corner bumping and light shelfwear.
The dustjacket is near fine and unclipped, retaining the original printed price of $3.50 on the front flap.
Collector’s Note
The inscription “sincerely, Lydea and A.E. van Vogt” appears on the title page in a single hand; photographs are included in the listing images. There is also writing in very light pencil on the front free endpaper, also shown in photographs. The near fine, price-intact dustjacket is a genuine plus for a 1957 title; copies in this condition with original flap pricing intact are less common than the condition grades alone might suggest.
For a collector focused on van Vogt’s career, or on signed and inscribed copies of mid-century Simon & Schuster science fiction, this is a copy worth serious consideration. Buyers who prefer a completely unmarked copy should note both the title page inscription and the front free endpaper writing before purchasing.
Image 1 of 12
Image 2 of 12
Image 3 of 12
Image 4 of 12
Image 5 of 12
Image 6 of 12
Image 7 of 12
Image 8 of 12
Image 9 of 12
Image 10 of 12
Image 11 of 12
Image 12 of 12
