Classic Science Fiction Covers

[VideoChrist]

Originally Posted by dask

Extremely nice collection you have there.

Actually, although I do have all these magazines, the versions I posted here are links from the isfdb website -- I haven't been able to figure out how to upload scans here.

I collected a lot when I was younger, and though I've sold off a fair amount over the years I still have full sets of Unknown (1939-43), Galaxy (1950-80), If (1952-74), Beyond (1953-55), and Galileo (1976-80); a bunch of Astounding/Analogs from the 1930s-70s, and F&SFs from 1949 to the early '80s (and recently started reading it again); and scattered pulps like Startling and Thrilling Wonder Stories from the 1940s and early '50s.

I've tried an attachment -- let's see if that works. It's a Theodore Sturgeon autograph in the first issue of F&SF (though it was still just F then). He signed it for me at a Worldcon in Florida in 1977 (if memory serves -- I could be off by a year or so).

[dask]

From where I sit you never have to buy another book again. You have enough great material to last a lifetime. I'm envious!

Most people here use Photobucket. I don't know how to transfer images any other way. I just scan my book covers, upload them to Photobucket and copy/paste back here. Even that took me a while to figure out.

[J-Sun]

This shouldn't be in this thread, since it's a mystery cover instead of SF and isn't even a real cover - but it'd be a classic if it were and it so should be - I'd buy it. Dunno if the image embedding will work - if not, there's this link.

[Matteo]

Great thread! I'm going to try and scan some of my covers and post them here. I also agree that the new stuff is, by and large, boring photoshop stuff.

The first one posted by VideoChrist was used (altered a bit, I think) on the "News of the World" LP by Queen - that could bethe start of another thread entirely, but maybe not for this forum...

[Southern Geologist]

A fun game--for me, at least--would be to take a look at the Library of America '50s sci-fi collection covers and see what paintings are ripped from the novels of that era. I'll start with the covers:





I have through sheer luck identified the cover on the box set as that of the original release of Childhood's End thanks to Wikipedia, but I am very curious about the others. They're all great covers and I must admit that the building on the cover of the second book makes me think of the Jetsons.

Any knowledgeable people here willing to play?

[J-Sun]

The first one is definitive Powers - I thought the second one was, too, but had to check to make sure. As far as which books the went to originally (assuming they did), I don't know but you can do lotsa clicking at the ISFDB and see great art and maybe find them.

Again, here's the link if the embedding doesn't work but this has to be one of the best (magazine) covers ever. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile.

[Southern Geologist]

Hah! That one is great.

And yes, here is the original:

[J-Sun]

Originally Posted by Southern Geologist

Hah! That one is great.

Glad you liked it.

And yes, here is the original:

Yeah, from what you said, I gather than one is. I meant the first and second of the unidentified ones. I assume those were also used as covers before but don't know. I hope you do find them - I particularly like the first (1953-1956) cover and am curious about it.

[merritt]

Here are a few...

[dask]

Originally Posted by merritt

Here are a few...

NO WAY BACK looks like one of the five best books ever written!

[merritt]

You know those are my Brit paperbacks, of which I only have a few.
But mostly they had Great covers!

I used to have the Through the Barrier - Green head guy as my skype avatar.

[EricWard]

The actual story is crummy, but I love the cover. From 1962.

[dask]

Love this cover:

[dask]

[EricWard]

From 1978 (and a who's who of 1960s-70s sci fi: Joe Haldeman, Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison, Harry Harrison, Ben Bova, Damon Knight, Mack Reynolds)