Star Maker [Wrappers Issue]
by STAPLEDON, Olaf (1886-1950); Bip Pares [illustrates]
- Used
- Fine
- first
- Condition
- Fine
- Seller
-
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Methuen, 1937. First Edition. Pictorial Wrappers. Fine. First Impression, Third Issue, of this cornerstone of mystical fiction, "probably the most powerful work of imagination ever written" (Arthur C. Clarke) and "the one great grey holy book of science fiction." (Brian Aldiss). 8vo (197 x 130mm): xii,339 [1,printer's imprint]pp, including three plates. Publisher's cream card covers with pictorial paper overlay (front panel of first-issue Bip Pares dust jacket affixed to front cover), priced 2/- on spine. Currey Binding B. A superb example, virtually pristine (likely unread), tightly bound and clean throughout. Satty & Smith A7.1.1.3. Currey, p. 468. Bleiler (Supernatural Fiction) 1514 ("one of the richest books in fantastic literature"). Anatomy of Wonder (1987) 2-112 ("A magnificent work by any standards; the most important speculative work of the period."). Pringle (Ultimate Guide), p. 296. ("the ultimate vision of the end of all things. An essential work.") Roberts (History of Science Fiction), p. 170 ("a novel for which even the most extravagant superlatives are insufficient"). Locke I, p. 205 (a "panoramic and fantastically imaginative history of the universe"). A masterwork by one of the giants of science fiction, a history of intelligence in the universe and the quest for ultimate meaning, "Star Maker tackles philosophical themes such as the essence of life, of birth, decay and death, and the relationship between creation and creator. . . . The disembodied travelers encounter many ideas that are interesting from both science-fictional and philosophical points of view. These include the first known instance of what is now called the Dyson sphere." (Wikipedia) Ethel "Bip" Pares (1904-1977) is "a name seen so often on some of the most eye-catching designs of the nineteen-thirties and forties. . . . She has long been admired and collected—she is said to have designed some 600 dust-jackets in all . . . " (blog post by Laurence Worms, Ash Rare Books) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).
Synopsis
Star Maker is an influential science fiction novel by Olaf Stapledon, written in 1937.
Reviews
On Dec 6 2021, a reader said:
How does a man describe the surfaces of moons, and interstellar travel as if he had actually done it? The sheer intellect of Mr. Stapledon is daunting, his writing style effusive, and compelling. If you love science fiction, you cannot overlook Olaf Stapledon. A man whom influenced some of our Golden Age Giants. Starmaker is a psychedelic, Transcendant voyage of discovery through the cosmos that will whisk you away as if you were born to it.
The way that Shakespeare understood the human condition as if connected to several older minds, Mr. Stapledon describes things he could not possibly know, let alone imagine, and leads me to believe that he was similarly attuned to reality, and truth. Get the book, and read it as soon as possible!
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Details
- Bookseller
- Fine Editions Ltd (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- BB2350
- Title
- Star Maker [Wrappers Issue]
- Author
- STAPLEDON, Olaf (1886-1950); Bip Pares [illustrates]
- Format/Binding
- Pictorial Wrappers
- Book Condition
- Used - Fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Publisher
- Methuen
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1937
- Bookseller catalogs
- MODERN FIRSTS;
Terms of Sale
Fine Editions Ltd
We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Biblio web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you have any questions, please contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days.
About the Seller
Fine Editions Ltd
Biblio member since 2005
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
About Fine Editions Ltd
Fine Editions specializes in First Editions of English and American Literature, Landmarks In Science and the History Of Ideas, Natural History and Color-Plate books, Travel and Voyages, and books on Gardening and Landscape Design. Our hallmark is condition: with few exceptions (mostly relating to our antiquarian stock), all books sold are in Near Fine or better conditions and all are highly collectible.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Wrappers
- The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...