Leigh Brackett, the "Queen of Space Opera" and acclaimed screenwriter of The Big Sleep and The Empire Strikes Back, showcases her mastery of planetary romance in The Starmen (1952). Originally serialized as "The Starmen of Llyrdis" in Startling Stories, this narrative follows a protagonist who discovers his heritage among a race of interstellar travelers. Brackett’s signature style—blending high-stakes adventure with evocative, noir-tinged prose—is on full display here. This Gnome Press first edition is an essential volume for collectors tracking the transition of "soft" science fiction into the hardcover market.
Binding: Original gray cloth boards with black-stamped spine lettering. Boards are square with sharp corners; the cloth remains clean and well-preserved.
Dust Jacket: Features the iconic, vibrant wrap-around artwork by Ric Binkley. The jacket is unclipped and presents in very good condition. There is a small tear present to the bottom of the front of the jacket and typical shelf wear.
Internal State: First Edition, First Printing (one of 5,000 copies). The text block is bright and clean with no significant foxing or toning. The binding is tight and the hinges are strong, suggesting very careful storage over the years.
Points of Issue: This copy features the gray cloth binding variant. Notably, the spine features the "Gnome Press" text imprint only, without the "pick and shovel" logo found on other states. The copyright page contains no subsequent printing statements.
This is a superlative example of a foundational Gnome Press title. Brackett’s work is currently seeing a significant resurgence in collector interest, and finding a Ric Binkley jacket in this state—without the usual rubbing or chipping to the spine ends—is a rare occurrence. This copy serves as a centerpiece item, representing the peak of 1950s small-press production values. It is a "collector-grade" specimen for the serious SF bibliophile.
Leigh Brackett, the "Queen of Space Opera" and acclaimed screenwriter of The Big Sleep and The Empire Strikes Back, showcases her mastery of planetary romance in The Starmen (1952). Originally serialized as "The Starmen of Llyrdis" in Startling Stories, this narrative follows a protagonist who discovers his heritage among a race of interstellar travelers. Brackett’s signature style—blending high-stakes adventure with evocative, noir-tinged prose—is on full display here. This Gnome Press first edition is an essential volume for collectors tracking the transition of "soft" science fiction into the hardcover market.
Binding: Original gray cloth boards with black-stamped spine lettering. Boards are square with sharp corners; the cloth remains clean and well-preserved.
Dust Jacket: Features the iconic, vibrant wrap-around artwork by Ric Binkley. The jacket is unclipped and presents in very good condition. There is a small tear present to the bottom of the front of the jacket and typical shelf wear.
Internal State: First Edition, First Printing (one of 5,000 copies). The text block is bright and clean with no significant foxing or toning. The binding is tight and the hinges are strong, suggesting very careful storage over the years.
Points of Issue: This copy features the gray cloth binding variant. Notably, the spine features the "Gnome Press" text imprint only, without the "pick and shovel" logo found on other states. The copyright page contains no subsequent printing statements.
This is a superlative example of a foundational Gnome Press title. Brackett’s work is currently seeing a significant resurgence in collector interest, and finding a Ric Binkley jacket in this state—without the usual rubbing or chipping to the spine ends—is a rare occurrence. This copy serves as a centerpiece item, representing the peak of 1950s small-press production values. It is a "collector-grade" specimen for the serious SF bibliophile.
