SF Masterworks - collecting and reading the Gollancz series

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Hi Richard, a few technical points and additional detail re the Masterworks series, which I'm sure you've seen me speak of on my channel, but I felt viewers here might appreciate a few of these points. Apologies if any of this seems pedantic, but if all SF booktubers were singing from the same hymnbook, we'd all find clear communication and sharing of information and pleasure around SF easier and more fulfilling: 1) The yellow livery is of course based on Gollancz' standard hardcover jacket livery from the 1960s- late 1980s, at which point they began to issue books in pictorial jackets more regularly. The first yellowjacket SF novel was Ballard's 'The Drowned World', though Gollancz had published the odd SF book as far back as the 1960s. Golancz' serious commitment to SF of quality, above all other publishers in the UK hardcover market, resulted in their holding the copyright licenses to a huge number of Modern SF Classics, hence the authority of the Masterworks line. Their crime novels also had yellow liveries. 2) The 86-87 Classic SF line was issued in B Format also, but at that time, the number of specialist SFF shops in the UK was quite high and they generally had their bookcase shelving set up for A fomat books, since genre SF in B Format was uncommon then. This resulted in the series going to A Format and being retitled VGSF and acquiring more traditional SF jacket designs (while continuing the numbering from the Classic SF line). 3) The original black Masterworks were accompanied by around a dozen hardcover format editions in demy size, which were jacketed (these were roman numeral numbered and had white jacket spines) and often different artwork to their paperback equivalents- and some of them were licensed from other publishers, such as 'The Day of the Triffids' and consequently have never appeared in Masterworks in any paperback livery. I have several of these and you will have seen them in my videos. 4) The correct term for hardcovers with illustrative covers without a jacket is 'laminated boards' or where there is no laminate, 'decorated boards'. 5) The correct term for the 'collections' of novels is of course 'Omnibus' - 'collection' should be used strictly for short stories by a single author under one cover. 6) The 'Golden Age Masterworks' are an example of how far editorial standards have slipped at Gollancz- I recorded a video about two years ago entitled 'Not So Golden Age After All' in which I analysed the publication dates of all the titles and fewer than half of them are Golden Age (1939-1950). Two of the C L Moore titles predate the Golden Age and the Harry Harrison ones appear in the 1960s, which is quite frankly absurd. There is no real debate around when the Golden Age started (see the SF encyclopedia), only around its end between 1946-1950. As you've read 'Astounding', the bio of Campbell, Hubbard, Van Vogt and Heinlein, I know you'll be aware of this. 7) Finally, Gollancz were for many decades a publisher of all kinds of fiction and non-fiction and only survived exclusively as an SF imprint from around twenty years ago. They ceased to be fully independent in the late 80s/early 90s from what I recall. Good video!

[@vintagesf]

This is excellent information! Thank you Stephen for taking the time to give context and corrections. Pinned.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

@@vintagesf No problem my friend. At some point I'll film a sequel to your video showing some of the earlier versions referred to!

[@chocolatemonk]

Where do the SF Collector's come in?

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

They don't as such, they were just a marketing project that failed as they were pretty hideous- as Gollancz felt they were books that wouldn't sell that well, they deliberately did them in demy format trade paperbacks and made no effort with the jackets, thinking 'the people who really want these will shell out for them,' which is really daft when they could have knocked them out as A Format paperbacks for around £5.99, which would have resulted in better sales.

[@JulesBurt]

Thanks Richard, I have a growing collection of these myself. The hardback Steve refers to are beautiful. Just ten to collect but pricey🙂 Enjoyed the video!

[@classicsfwithandyjohnson]

Gollancz is totally vital to the availability of classic SF in the UK. I have my frustrations with the Masterworks (much of the cover art today is lazy edits of stock images, and Gollancz have released some fantasy in the series for some reason) but it is a great way to build an SF collection.

[@vintagesf]

Completely agree. I think the frustration stems from keeping the line economical. I can live with it if it means more vintage SF continues to be printed.

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

This is such a wonderful collection!

[@andrewsstuffy]

My copy of Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End with the yellow spine and laminated boards has the logo reversed at the bottom just like Aldiss' Greybeard.

[@vintagesf]

This is the third one now. Theories are that it is done to avoid unfortunate cropping of cover art or it represents a certain print run.

[@andrewsstuffy]

@@vintagesf unfortunate cropping of cover art is rather unconvincing. Childhood's End has no real detail that the normallogo orientation would cover or distort.

[@variibsu]

Great to see your collection grow over time, Richard. A yellow sea of SF Masterworks.

[@vintagesf]

Now to keep the spines from fading. DAW books come to mind.

[@variibsu]

Haha, I think keeping them out of the sun should help. I covered all of mine with non-adhesive covering material, but I think I just did it because it was therapeutic.

[@StevenEverett7]

I've been wondering about the collection behind you. Now I'm satisfied. Thank you Richard!

[@vintagesf]

📔📚😀

[@LiminalSpaces03]

I'm always eyeing that shelf in your videos. Good to see a video about them!

[@vintagesf]

Yellow is a warm, happy colour. Perfect for the vintage SF stronghold.

[@oc99crazy]

Another great video! I’m also collecting SF masterworks. How many do you have now? I found a great place in the UK that has most of the titles available. I’m looking forward to you reviewing this awesome collection.

[@vintagesf]

So fun to collect! I don’t have a firm count on the books and some are in the mail. I’d guess about 80 including the Golden Age Masterworks. Lots of good reading ahead!

[@isam.2653]

Can I ask where this place is? I also live in the UK 😊

[@vintagesf]

@@isam.2653 Not sure if @oc99crazy saw this message. Perhaps with this mention it will come to their attention.

[@thekeywitness]

I first encountered the SF Masterworks 10 years ago in Bangkok of all places -- there is an outstanding Japanese, multi-lingual bookstore chain there called Kinokuniya that has a special section for SF Masterworks. I was immediately hooked and now have 46 titles, not counting other print editions of books that appear in the series. I just wish they were more widely available. They look great on your shelf (and my shelf). I don't understand why some people dislike the series other than some of the artwork is ugly and the recent redesign is boring. Otherwise, kudos to Gollancz for keeping these books in print.

[@vintagesf]

Glad to hear you enjoy the design as well. It’s so great to have these works in print. Gollancz is introducing new generations to, well, vintage SF and I think an attraction is collecting books in the same livery. Reminds me of collecting classics in the Penguin black livery.

[@Xoguran]

Seeing that gorgeous completed Gollancz collection does bring me the frustration that I'd be unable to complete mine due to the shipping costs and other issues that came from the UK ceasing being a member of the EU.

[@vintagesf]

@@Xoguran I’m always watching for sales from some UK dealers and bookoutlet.com. World of Books is a used book dealer often carrying SFMW of varying conditions. Be careful of their descriptions. Books often don’t match the pictures. Look for publication dates or even ISBNs. Shipping rates for multiple books is more reasonable per book.

[@Xoguran]

@vintagesf thanks for your recommendation, Richard. I may have now a chance to finish (and continue) my SF Masterwork collection.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Really interesting video Richard! Great info on the Masterworks and awesome collection!

[@wonderworld1928]

Great work!

[@vintagesf]

Thank you!

[@TauZeroSF]

A fantastic looking collection! I only have a handful of Masterworks (plus a VG SF classics of Bob Shaw’s A Wreath of Stars). Looking forward to this series!

[@vintagesf]

Besides the yellow spines I also have many of the books in vintage copies. I don’t plan to duplicate by buying a yellow spine unnecessarily but will include those reviews in the playlist.

[@isam.2653]

I am also collecting these and it’s so exciting to see someone with so many titles who is also reviewing the books! Thank you so much for doing this 😊 I have recently started to collect ‘the best of’ as well, I think they look so nice and given how short the list is it seems more manageable 😅 Do you collect any of those? They look so nice on the shelf! My main complaint with the SF Masterworks is that they are now publishing shinier and cheaper-looking paperbacks that don’t really match the others, have you noticed this? I hate it 😢

[@vintagesf]

Welcome! I have Karen Joy Fowler's 'Sarah Canary' in the best of SF Masterworks. It will be featured in a book haul coming Monday, July 22nd. I will compare the first and second editions of SF Masterworks along with the best of in that episode. Haven't noticed a difference in quality in the paperbacks with the yellow spine. May investigate.

[@JosephReadsBooks]

I didn't realize they reprinted Hiero's Journey. That is great news! It has been out of print for a long time. This was a great video! Thanks for all the cool information.

[@vintagesf]

Be sure to check the pinned comment for even more info and corrections from the Outlaw Bookseller.

[@SamuelTyree1]

Hiero's Journey is a must read. Glad to see it back in print.

[@vintagesf]

Video on the book coming out tomorrow!

[@SamuelTyree1]

@@vintagesf Do you know if Unforsaken Hiero is due to be published? It's a shame Lanier never wrote the 3rd book.

[@vintagesf]

@@SamuelTyree1 ’Unforsaken Hiero’ is available for presale and is coming out in the fall. I bought mine at rarewaves.com . Apparently the third one might come out. Someone is completing the manuscript. At least that is what I read somewhere online.

[@mattbaldwin1150]

The Greybeard cover’s artwork is very busy where the SF Masterworks logo would normally sit. I’m guessing they switched it to the bottom so the logo is still legible. I’m a graphic designer and that’s what I’d do. But it is just a guess.

[@vintagesf]

The window would be obscured on that cover. I’ve noticed the bottom SFMW logo also on ‘Inverted World’ by Priest (strangely appropriate for the title), ‘The Time Machine’ by Wells, and ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep’ by PKD. I think an argument can be made that this positioning was done for graphic design reasons to avoid detracting from the cover art.

[@rickkearn7100]

Did not know about this masterworks playlist! Thanks for pointing that out, Richard. BTW, I think the black-spined edition of the collection has more desirable livery. Also, your pointing out certain things about how the publishing industry works, such as "if contracts change" and the original series numbers are removed, I find very interesting. Cheers.

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

Great overview Richard. I have read many and own many and it's interesting how I'm getting a variety of experiences - some are my favourite books and some I think are bad books...hahaha - always interesting though....

[@vintagesf]

I do sometimes wonder about the selection process or contract negotiations for the rights to works.

[@kennyrh9269]

Hi Richard. A lot of booktubers don't like these but, as ably demonstrated by your display, I think they look great on the shelves. I don't actively collect these myself because I already have many of them in vintage paperback - however . . . .I do pick up the black spines when I see them because, guess what?, they're numbered. And you have it right there - the lunacy of being a collector. Actually HMV in the UK do a special offer on their books which comprise a lot of these Masterworks. 2 for £7.

[@vintagesf]

Wonder if HMV ships to Canada. Will have to check it out. Thanks Kenny.

[@PaulSaether]

Interesting and enjoyable post, as usual. Could you explain why I can't find the 2 follow-ups to Colossus for anything but extremely high prices? Also be interested to hear any comments on shipping costs. These vary so much and I guess sometimes they are just a booksellers way of disguising the full cost of a book. What would be the actual cost to post 1, 2, 3 standard A format paperbacks to the UK from Canada/USA? Thank you for your time.

[@vintagesf]

Not sure about posting to the UK. Don’t know if you know Jules Burt. He has an excellent collector’s channel and I would bet he could answer your questions. Supply and demand ebb and flow. Don’t know of any specific reason the Colossus books would cost more. I agree with you that some people charge too much for shipping to hide a profit.

[@PaulSaether]

@@vintagesf Ta.

[@paulcooper3611]

I have heard about SF Masterworks for a long time, but have never seen any of them in stores, even SF specialty stores. British books don't get sold much in the US. That's one place you Commonwealth guys have an advantage over us. Well, that's not quite true. The Barnes & Nobel in Vestal, New York, used a distributer in Ottawa, Ontario, so they would sneak British editions onto the their shelves. I kept getting asked how I got books that weren't supposed to be sold in the States. 'Dark Benediction' was the second book I bought by Walter M. Miller, Jr. It made me an instant fan of his short fiction. I'm sorry it isn't available in the new edition of SF Masterworks. He only wrote two novels but his shot fiction is remarkable.

[@vintagesf]

I’ve read one or two collections of Miller. One collection was called ‘Conditionally Human’. I’d love to get my hands on the collection ‘Dark Benediction’ but it is priced ridiculously high at this time. Fortunately I’ve read the short “Dark Benediction” in ‘Conditionally Human’. Wish NESFA could publish a collection of all Miller’s short fiction.

[@vintagesf]

‘A View from the Stars’ was the second Miller collection.

[@paulcooper3611]

@@vintagesf It would be nice if NESFA Press published his short fiction. Unfortunately, we don't know the state of his estate. Clifford D. Simak died in 1988. The executor of his estate was a friend and a competent man but it still took nearly 30 years before they started publishing h=all his short stories. In fact, the fourteenth volume is not going to be available until next year.

[@chocolatemonk]

Oh my god. Look at that shelf! OCD love. I have been collecting the SF Masterworks and the SF Collectors edition. Have you seen in your hunts the "SF Collector's" I just got one Best of SF Masterworks, Gibson's Nueromancer

[@vintagesf]

I have seen the yellow SF collectors. Gollancz is really claiming this genre and its catalog.

[@unstopitable]

How's the book-picking/-selling going? Are you still doing selling books? Just curious. I'm a sucker for uniform editions like this. I look forward to watching your videos. I really enjoy your reading of the Carr-edited line. Thanks for the video, Richard.

[@vintagesf]

I continue to collect old Aces and have recently picked up 5 of 10 Crown Classic Science Fiction books. Future book haul set to explain. I haven’t been selling books. Thinking about passing them on to my KZbin subscribers through memberships. Stay tuned.

[@unstopitable]

@@vintagesf Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. Cheers.

[@AlienBigCat23]

PKD Androids also has the SF logo from the bottom. I suspect its just an older edition.

[@vintagesf]

Hmmm.

[@AlienBigCat23]

@@vintagesf 2007

[@vintagesf]

@@AlienBigCat23 Will explore.

[@AlienBigCat23]

​@@vintagesfI've just realised my copy of Priest's Inverted World is printed same with sf to the bottom of cover - my ed. 2009

[@vintagesf]

@@AlienBigCat23 I’m leaning more to a graphic design decision due to cover art. Either the top left is busy or there is a lower horizon emphasizing the open space in the top left.

[@ashradiohead1]

One possible explanation - The logo in the top left corner would have covered the artwork for Greybeard

[@vintagesf]

I will explore. Apparently there are more.

[@niriop]

Perhaps it’s nostalgia for my early teenage SF purchases-I remember the day I bought my first PKD from Waterstones; still have that copy-but I have a strong preference for the old black spines, and will pay more for one rather than settle for the new edition. Also: all that tinting was a terrible aesthetic choice. Took great artwork and washed it out cold and pneumonic.

[@vintagesf]

There are definitely some strange tints applied to the original art of the black-spined SFMWs. I think some of the new books are better. ‘Hiero’s Journey’ cover art is reminiscent of ‘A Canticle for Liebowitz’.

[@niriop]

@@vintagesf My own impression was that of The Exorcist-not a bad thing for sure.

[@SciFiScavenger]

I MUCH prefer the black spine SFMW. i have a good few of the yellow ones too, but i don't like the way they look on the shelf. Something about that shade of pale yellow grinds my gears. I suppose the important thing is what's inside the books, but still. No-one said I had to be 100% rational 100% of the time! Good luck with this challenge Richard. Do you feel compelled to get the full set? 🤔

[@vintagesf]

I do not feel compelled to get the full set. Unusual for me. For example, I have a great set of H.G. Wells’ works so I’m not picking them up in the SFMW. I find the Masterworks to be great reading copies, ones that look really good on the shelf. You and I will have to disagree about the yellow and black spines. My preference for livery actually is the Golden Age Masterworks. It combines the best of both series.

[@SciFiScavenger]

@@vintagesf makes sense, I'd much rather have a nice vintage pb or hb copy, and I've moved on several SFMW yellows where I've found a more interesting copy. I have a few of the golden age books and i do prefer that livery to the pale yellow. Each to their own!

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

I agree with Richard re the full set: I always say to novice SF readers 'If you read them all, you'll get an excellent overview of Genre SF, but you will probably only love 80% of them and some will appeal to you, some won't. I've read a good three quarters of them, but lots of my copies predate Masterworks- and even Gollancz Classic SF- but if I were to go completist on a series, this is the one I'd go for. My preferred livery was the Gollancz Classic SF B Formats, the classiest looking Genre SF series EVER anywhere and I was very sad when the series was reconfigured. Until the end of the 1980s, despite Gollancz coming into the paperback market in 1986, Grafton was still the supreme SF paperback publisher in the UK, with the backlist of Panther and Mayflower (which merged into Granada in the 1970s before being renamed Grafton in 1985). Their catalogue was always the first one I'd reach for when reordering, followed by Orbit (Macdonald/Futura). Gollancz were still auctioning paperback rights to to other publishers as late as 1986- they'd issued the World First Hardcover of 'Neuromancer' in 1984 and let Grafton have the paperback rights for 1986- nuts!