Sunday, 24 February 2008

science fiction work in progress



Science Fiction/ What ever happened to Stuie Steinkritz ?

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

I do not know for certain that each and every one of this group are

for science fiction collectors.The Algot Erikson bookplate was done in

Sweden in 1940 .The Vepstas bookplate has a comic book theme.It was

designed by Henrietta Vepstas for her brother.The Morehouse bookplate

amuses me so I included it.

The Sallume plate was designed for Antioch Bookplate by Ed Emsh.

I do not know if Ray Bradbury uses a bookplate in his own books.When I

wrote to him in 2001 and asked him to send me his own bookplate , this

is what he sent.I have a very special fondness for Ray Bradbury as he

was the very first Science fiction writer I recall reading.Taking a

trip down memory lane I also recall a fellow student in my public

school in Brooklyn, whose name was Stuart Steinkritz ? He was, as I

recall a nephew of Leslie Nielson , the actor. Using a pen name, he

actually got published in one of the Science Fiction pulp magazines.I

think that's pretty impressive for a 12 year old.

Although I can't be sure about the exact spelling of his last name I

do recall the acronym he taught me B.E. M. (Bugged Eyed Monsters)

The late John Brunner used a bookplate designed by Jim Barker.The

designer's name is hard to make out but you can click on the image for

enlargement. Porcupine books in England

websales@porcupine.demon.co.uk has a number of books from Mr.

Brunner's library with his bookplate, priced at $20.00 + They are nice

people to deal with.

Edgar Rice Burroughs' bookplate does not come up for sale very

often.About ten years ago, I tracked down his grandson and was able to

purchase my copy from him. If a copy is offered to you from a

reputable source, buy it.

Arthur C. Clarke's bookplates show up from time to time on Ebay. They

seem to sell in the $25.00 + range.

L.Sprague de Camp used this very distinctive triangular bookplate.I

purchased it from Tom Boss, a bookseller in Wellesley , Mass. several

years ago.He may possibly have more copies.

Harlan Ellison uses a bookplate printed at Gnome press from a design

by Ed Cartier.The late Andre Norton used a similar bookplate.

H.P.Lovecraft- A word of caution if offered an association copy with a

Lovecraft bookplate. Mr. Lovecraft's cousin ,Wilfred B. Talman

originally designed the bookplate. Several years ago The Necronomicon

Press reproduced the plate and distributed it.I see them from time to

time on Ebay. There is no easy way that I know of to distinguish these

reproductions from the originals. Let the buyer beware.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

It is Monday February 5th. I had hoped to complete this posting

yesterday but real life interfered. I want to thank all of you who

participated in my Ebay bookplate auction.The bidding was frantic and

24 of the 25 items listed were sold. I think this blog contributed to

the many new bidders who participated. I plan to have my next

bookplate auction sometime in March.If you would like to be notified

just send me an Email :

Bookplatemaven@hotmail.com

H.G.Wells- He had at least two bookplates.The one he definitely used

is item #44 in London Bookplates by Brian North Lee "From the library

of H.G.Wells at 13 Hanover Terrace Regent's Park London (with

facsimile signature). Label within an ornamental border"

The one illustrated above is from my collection and was designed by

Robert Saldo. I do not know is whether the Saldo plate was ever

affixed to any books in H.G. Wells' library.Some bookplate designers

created "honorarium " plates without the knowledge or consent of the

owner. It gave them a certain amount of prestige to claim they had

designed a bookplate for a well known person. As can be seen from the

Saldo advertisement, he promoted the fact that several celebrities of

the 1930's were his clients.

A final note-This has nothing to do with the science fiction theme.

Quite by chance I discovered several interesting bookplate groups on

the Flickr photo sharing site.If you click on the words Science

Fiction in the title, at the beginning of this posting it will lead

you to the Flickr search engine.


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