Hudson Fine Books

Groff Conklin (Editor) "Operation Future" Vintage Paperback 1955

Operation Future Edited by the legendary anthologist Groff Conklin, *Operation Future* is a mid-century science fiction compilation featuring seventeen stories and two short novels by the genre's founding giants. This vintage collection showcases early works by Isaac Asimov, Theodore Sturgeon, Clifford D. Simak, and Murray Leinster, exploring the frontiers of space travel, robotics, and telepathy. With its iconic cover art depicting a retro-futuristic lunar exploration, this paperback captures the golden age of science fiction optimism and imagination.

A perfect gift for any devotee of mid-century speculative fiction!

#### **Book Details** * **Author:** Groff Conklin (Editor) * **Illustrator:** Robert Schulz (Cover Artist) * **Publisher:** Permabooks * **Binding:** Paperback * **Edition Points:** Permabook Edition (M-4022), First Printing, May 1955. Cover price 35¢. ---

**Condition Report** * **Overall Grade:** Very Good - to Very Good * **Cover & Spine:** Front cover art by Robert Schulz is colorful and bright, slight hint of light soiling along upper edge, glossy surface still quite nice.  Back cover shows some surface rubbing in white area, but overall still quite crisp.  Spine is just so slightly cocked, but smooth, not curled or creased. * **Dust Jacket:** N/A (Paperback) * **Text Block & Pages:** Text block exhibits uniform, light age-toning typical of 1950s stock, remaining clean and entirely supple. Interior pages are unmarked.  No loose, torn or folded pages. * **Binding:** Tight and structurally sound.

Overall an above average 70+ year old paperback. ---

Robert Sheckley "Shards of Space" Vintage Paperback anthology 1962

Shards of Space Robert Sheckley's *Shards of Space* is an exceptional collection of eleven witty, satirical, and deeply imaginative short stories from one of science fiction’s premier humorists. Accompanied by surrealist cover design, Sheckley’s fractured views of future technologies and cosmic absurdity presents an informative view into New Wave speculative writing. This Bantam vintage paperback will be a well remembered read.

#### **Book Details** * **Author:** Robert Sheckley * **Illustrator:** Richard Powers (uncredited) * **Publisher:** Bantam Books (Bantam J2443) * **Binding:** Paperback * **Edition Points:** First Bantam Edition, published 1962. Cover price 40c.

#### **Condition Report** * **Overall Grade:** Very Good Minus (VG-) * **Cover & Spine:** Minor rubbing to extremities with small chips along the cover hinges. Spine is cocked with a light crease but solid, not cracked. Linear horizonal rub along top edge of back cover * **Text Block & Pages:** Lightly age-toned text block, with clean and crisp internal margins. No writing or labels, no loose, torn or folded pages. * **Binding:** Complete, cocked but solid.. ---

Fritz Leiber "The Mind Spider / The Big Time" Vintage Paperback 1961

The Mind Spider / The Big Time This "Ace Double" features Fritz Leiber’s Hugo Award-winning masterpiece *The Big Time* paired with *The Mind Spider and Other Stories*. Leiber's avant-garde approach to the "Change War" and cosmic horror redefined the narrative boundaries of science fiction in the mid-20th century. Wrapped in iconic dual-sided cover illustrations, this volume is a wonderful time capsule of speculative fiction.

#### **Book Details** * **Author:** Fritz Leiber * **Illustrator:** Ed Emshwiller (uncredited) * **Publisher:** Ace Books (Ace Double D-491) * **Binding:** Paperback * **Edition Points:** First publication thus, Ace Double D-491 (1961). Cover price 35c.

#### **Condition Report** * **Overall Grade:** Good plus * **Cover & Spine:** Covers show edge wear with chipping all around.  Transparent tape applied at the spine at bottom of The Big Time.  Cover hinges weak. * **Text Block & Pages:** Lightly age-toned pages, remaining clean and supple without any sign of brittleness. * **Binding:**  Block out of square a bit due to age warping of the spine glue  Block is complete, solid not cracked.  Delicate but whole. ---

James Blish "A Case of Conscience" Vintage Paperback 1979

A Case of Conscience James Blish’s Hugo Award-winning masterpiece is a foundational work of theological science fiction that remains as provocative today as it was in 1958. Through the eyes of Jesuit biologist Father Ruiz-Sanchez, Blish explores the collision of faith, cold logic, and alien evolution on the planet Lithia. This Del Rey edition is an essential addition for any collector of mid-century speculative fiction interested in the philosophical depth of the Golden Age.

#### **Book Details** * **Author:** James Blish * **Illustrator:** Darrell Sweet * **Publisher:** Ballantine Books / A Del Rey Book * **Binding:** Paperback * **Edition Points:** Ballantine 28023, fifth printing (April 1979).  Somewhat scarce edition.

#### **Condition Report** * **Overall Grade:** Very Good+ * **Cover & Spine:** Vibrant cover art; spine is clean with minimal shelf-wear and no reading creases.  Some minimal surface wear on covers if held to the light.  Orange dot label on upper part of the spine, likely a used book color coded pricing tag.  "BC" initialed inside front cover * **Text Block & Pages:** Cream-toned paper; standard for this vintage.  Block edge uniform and bright all around.  No loose, torn or folded pages. * **Binding:** Square and tight, no creasing. ---

See accompanying images for full condition details.

Otis Adelbert Kline "The Outlaws of Mars" Vintage Paperback 1961

The Outlaws of Mars Otis Adelbert Kline’s thrilling *The Outlaws of Mars* remains a high watermark in the classic planetary romance tradition popularized by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Originally serialized in *Argosy Weekly* in 1933, this planetary adventure delivers mind-swapping, exotic alien beasts, and high-stakes swordplay on the Red Planet. This incredibly clean copy is ideal for collectors of vintage Martian sci-fi and classic mid-century paperbacks.

#### **Book Details** * **Author:** Otis Adelbert Kline * **Illustrator:** Ed Valigursky (Cover Art) * **Publisher:** Ace Books, Inc. (Ace Book, D-531) * **Binding:** Paperback * **Edition Points:** First Ace Edition (1961), D-531. Original cover price 35¢.

#### **Condition Report** * **Overall Grade:** Very Good (VG) * **Cover & Spine:** Front and rear cover panels are exceptionally bright and clean. Minor rubbing to extremities with small pinpoints of white showing at the edges. Spine is flat, square, and free of reading creases. * **Dust Jacket:** N/A (Paperback as issued) * **Text Block & Pages:** Text block edges and pages are fairly age-toned (a uniform light wood-color), as are the insides of the covers.  No writing, no loose, torn or folded pages. * **Binding:** Tight, unread feel, square spine.

A.E. van Vogt "The Voyage of the Space Beagle" Vintage Paperback 1981

The Voyage of the Space Beagle

A.E. van Vogt's foundational science fiction fix-up novel, *The Voyage of the Space Beagle*, famously served as a primary inspiration for legendary sci-fi franchises like *Alien* and *Star Trek*.

Following the journey of the scientific vessel *Beagle* through deep space, the crew must rely on "Nexialism"—the integration of all scientific disciplines—to survive terrifying encounters with hostile cosmic entities.

This gorgeous 1981 Timescape edition features stunning, evocative cover art that perfectly captures the eerie atmosphere of classic space exploration.

---

#### **Book Details**

* **Author:** A.E. van Vogt

* **Illustrator:** Gerry Daly

* **Publisher:** Timescape Books / Pocket Books

* **Binding:** Paperback

* **Edition Points:** First Timescape Books printing, July 1981. Complete number line "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" present on the copyright page. Cover price of $2.50. ISBN 0-671-48993-3.

#### **Condition Report**

* **Overall Grade:** Very Good

* **Cover & Spine:** Covers are bright and lustrous with exceptional color vibrancy. Spine is flat with a light crease, but solid. There's a surface dent at the back cover spine edge, some light tanning to light background at spine edge on the back cover.

* **Dust Jacket:** N/A (Paperback)

* **Text Block & Pages:** Vibrant yellow-sprayed edges applied by the publisher are clean and uniform. Internal pages are off-white/cream with with a little tanning at outer edges. No loose, torn or folded pages.

* **Binding:** Extremely tight and square; appears unread.

See accompanying images for full condition details.

Charles L. Harness "The Ring of Ritornel" Vintage Paperback 1968

The Ring of Ritornel

A brilliant, mind-bending blend of space opera, poetic allegory, and cosmological speculation by one of science fiction’s most underrated stylists.

Charles L. Harness constructs an intricate universe trapped in a grand cyclical battle of cosmic forces, perfect for readers of deep, philosophical speculative fiction.

Complete with iconic surrealist cover art, it represents the literary maturation of late-1960s science fiction.

#### **Book Details**

* **Author:** Charles L. Harness

* **Illustrator:** Richard Powers (cover art)

* **Publisher:** Berkley Medallion Books (X1630)

* **Binding:** Paperback

* **Edition Points:** Berkley Medallion Edition, November 1968. Stated cover price 60¢.

#### **Condition Report**

* **Overall Grade:** Very Good (VG)

* **Cover & Spine:** Two short color-breaking horizontal creases at front cover spine edge. General surface wear on covers and edge wear. Back cover mildly tanned

* **Text Block & Pages:** Internally, the pages are all bright, no writing or marks. No loose, torn or folded pages.

* **Binding:** Tight and square, very slight creasing in spots. There is a numeric publisher or bookstore mark "4" on bottom of the text block edge.

See accompanying images for full condition details.

A.E. van Vogt "The Weapon Shops of Isher" Vintage Paperback 1977

The Weapon Shops of Isher

Part of A.E. van Vogt's highly influential *Isher* series, *The Weapon Shops of Isher* is a landmark of Golden Age science fiction that explores the tension between an authoritarian empire and a mysterious network of weapon shops providing defensive technology to the citizenry.

Famously championing the phrase "The right to buy weapons is the right to be free," this classic narrative of time-travel and political intrigue remains one of speculative fiction's most debated and enduring classics.

#### **Book Details**

* **Author:** A.E. van Vogt

* **Illustrator:** Gerry Daly

* **Publisher:** Pocket Books

* **Binding:** Paperback

* **Edition Points:** First Pocket Books edition, 2nd printing. Number line "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2" present on copyright page. Cover price of $1.95. ISBN 0-671-83429-0.

#### **Condition Report**

* **Overall Grade:** Very Good +

* **Cover & Spine:** Cover colors are deep and rich. Spine is remarkably clean and flat with no reading creases. Faint reading crease near the hinge of the front cover and minor rubbing to extremities. Inside front page features small, neat hand-written initials "BC" in ink. Very faint diagonal crease on back cover at spine corner.

* **Dust Jacket:** N/A (Paperback)

* **Text Block & Pages:** Publisher-applied yellow-sprayed edges are vibrant and uniform. Internal pages are clean, supple, and off-white/cream.

* **Binding:** Tight, solid, and square.

"The Colophon: A Quarterly for Bookmen (Autumn 1936)" Vintage hardcover

The Colophon: A Quarterly for Bookmen (Autumn 1936) An exquisite artifact of mid-century bibliophilia, this edition of *The Colophon* serves as a magnificent window into the world of fine printing, book collecting, and typographic art from the late depression era. As a dedicated quarterly for bookmen, it showcases a beautiful curation of essays, historical studies, and original print illustrations. This volume is an essential piece for any serious collector of vintage print media, graphic design history, or classic bibliophilic literature. ---

#### **Book Details** * **Author:** Various Contributors (including John Atlee Kouwenhoven, Sculley Bradley, Lawrence Thompson, and William H. McCarthy Jr.) * **Illustrator:** Emil Ganso (featuring an original wood engraving "Still Life") and various typographic designers. * **Publisher:** Pynson Printers, New York * **Binding:** Hardcover (without dust jacket, as issued) * **Edition Points:** Volume II, New Series, Number 1. Published Autumn 1936. ---

#### **Condition Report** * **Overall Grade:** Near Fine (NF) / Book: NF * **Cover & Spine:** Pictorial cloth boards are remarkably clean with exceptional color vibrancy. Spine shows crisp typography and minimal rubbing to extremities with minor shelf-wear at the head and tail.  Some tanning along board upper edges * **Dust Jacket:** N/A (As issued without a jacket). * **Text Block & Pages:** Pages are clean and crisp, showing a natural uniform off-white/cream tone standard for high-quality vintage rag paper of this era.  No writing or marks, block upper edge tanned. * **Binding:** Tight, square, and structurally sound; hinges are completely intact and firm. ---

Patricia Bartels Miller "Timbers of Time" First Edition Vintage Paperback 1977

Timbers of Time

Delve into the rustic charm and architectural history of New York's Hudson Valley with this beautifully compiled guide to the historic covered bridges of Ulster County.

Published in 1977, this booklet features detailed local maps, construction techniques, and archival photographic prints of these iconic wooden structures.

An essential addition for local historians, architectural enthusiasts, and collectors of Catskills Americana.

---

#### **Book Details**

* **Author:** Patricia Bartels Miller

* **Illustrator:** Patricia Bartels Miller (Cover illustration)

* **Publisher:** The Erpf Catskill Cultural Center, Inc.

* **Binding:** PAPERBACK

* **Edition Points:** First Edition, First Printing (stated "Copyright © April, 1977"). Cover shows the original price of $2.95.

---

#### **Condition Report**

* **Overall Grade:** Very Good plus

* **Cover & Spine:** Soft cream cardstock covers are clean with sharp brown lettering and artwork. Stapled fold spine is square, firm, and uncreased with only minor rubbing to extremities.

* **Text Block & Pages:** Pages are clean, off-white/cream, matching standard paper stocks of this era. Absolutely no toning, tanning, or brittle edges.

* **Binding:** Tight staple-bound binding is square, uncreased, and secure.

---

Chas. V. Arnold "Tiny Power: Steam Models and Supplies" 1956 Catalog

Tiny Power: Steam Models and Supplies (1956 Catalog) An incredibly scarce and highly detailed 1956 trade catalog from Charles V. Arnold, the legendary model engineer of Corvallis, Oregon. Filled with precise schematics, pricing lists, and photographic plates of miniature marine, horizontal, and traction steam engines, this catalog is a holy grail for steam engine hobbyists, model engineering collectors, and industrial history enthusiasts. It offers an invaluable, highly collectible window into mid-century American hobbyist craftsmanship and precision machining. ---

#### **Book Details** * **Author:** Chas. V. Arnold * **Illustrator:** Not credited (includes detailed technical photographs and schematics) * **Publisher:** Chas. V. Arnold, Corvallis, Oregon * **Binding:** PAPERBACK * **Edition Points:** 1956 Catalog edition, with the original cover price of $1.00 printed at the top right. ---

#### **Condition Report** * **Overall Grade:** VG+ * **Cover & Spine:** Clean, bright white cardstock covers with minimal shelf-wear. Faint ink notation ("CA") at the top right corner of the front cover. The staple-bound spine is secure, clean, and completely free of rust or splitting. * **Text Block & Pages:** Pages are clean and crisp, displaying standard off-white/cream paper color. No tanning, foxing, or brittle edges present. High-contrast printing of mechanical parts and diagrams remains incredibly sharp. * **Binding:** Very tight, square, and secure. Staples are completely intact and firm. ---

"The Inner Light: Saybrook Point, Old Saybrook, Conn. - 1949" Vintagecommunity sourcebook

The Inner Light: Saybrook Point, Old Saybrook, Conn. - 1949

A charming and scarce local history booklet detailing the historic lighthouse and settlement of Saybrook Point, Connecticut, printed in 1949.

Filled with local business advertisements, historic tide tables, and community information, it offers a fascinating mid-century time capsule of coastal New England life.

Perfect for regional historians and collectors of vintage Americana.

---

#### **Book Details**

* **Author:** Giles Blague

* **Illustrator:** Cover photograph by Gordon W. Haynes; features retro local business graphics.

* **Publisher:** Locally published for Bennie's Farm Market and local advertisers.

* **Binding:** Paperback

* **Edition Points:** First Edition, dated 1949 on front cover.

---

#### **Condition Report**

* **Overall Grade:** Very Good

* **Cover & Spine:** The paper wrappers show minor rubbing to extremities, with light age-toning typical of 1940s cardstock. No structural peeling or deep creases. Fair amount of tanning along cover spine edge and some foxing on outer edge.

* **Dust Jacket:** N/A

* **Text Block & Pages:** Lightly age-toned but clean, uniform, and entirely free of interior markings or annotations.

* **Binding:** Stapled booklet binding remains secure, tight, and completely intact with minimal oxidation to the staples.

---

Andrew R. Howard "Covered Bridges of Virginia: A Guide" First Edition Vintage smalll press paperback 1999

Covered Bridges of Virginia:

A Guide A wonderfully detailed regional guide to the historic covered structures of the Old Dominion state.

Ideal for history enthusiasts, architectural students, and road-trippers, this volume features photographic plates, detailed maps, and structural schematics of Virginia's remaining historical bridges.

A perfect niche addition to any Virginiana or American architectural collection. ---

#### **Book Details** *

**Author:** Andrew R. Howard *

**Illustrator:** Andrew R. Howard (Photographer) *

**Publisher:** Private Press of Andrew R. Howard (Avon, CT) *

**Binding:** PAPERBACK *

**Edition Points:** First Edition, Copyright 1999. Original cover price of $6.95 printed on rear. ---

#### **Condition Report** *

**Overall Grade:** Very good plus *

**Cover & Spine:**Exceptionally clean white cardstock covers with vibrant red and black print. Cover art is intact, minor rubbing to extremities. Spine is crisp, completely square, and free of reading creases. *

**Text Block & Pages:** Off-white/cream paper throughout, clean and completely unmarked. *

**Binding:** Tight, square, and solid. ---

See accompanying images for full condition details.

W. Stanley Moss "Ill Met by Moonlight" Vintage Folio Society Hardcover 2001

Ill Met by Moonlight

W. Stanley Moss's thrilling World War II memoir of the abduction of General Kreipe in Crete comes alive in this exquisite Folio Society edition.

Featuring striking cover designs of Cretan mountains under moonlit phases, this volume is packed with historic photographs documenting the daring resistance operation.

An essential piece for military history buffs and collectors of beautiful fine-press editions.

---

#### **Book Details**

* **Author:** W. Stanley Moss

* **Illustrator:** Illustrated with historical photographs.

* **Publisher:** The Folio Society

* **Binding:** Hardcover

* **Edition Points:** Folio Society edition published in 2001.

---

#### **Condition Report**

* **Overall Grade:** Book: Fine / Slipcase: Near Fine

* **Cover & Spine:** Pristine pictorial buckram boards featuring a silver-and-white moon-phase motif. Absolutely no fading or rubbing to the gilt spine.

* **Dust Jacket:** N/A (Issued in a slipcase, which remains sturdy with only minimal shelf-wear).

* **Text Block & Pages:** Pages are bright, clean, off-white/cream, and completely free of marks or foxing.

* **Binding:** Extremely tight and square, likely unread.

---