When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Collector Features & Identification
◦ Authors: Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey
◦ Cover Artist: Darrell K. Sweet
◦ Book Series: Standalone (Mazonia)
◦ Publisher & Year: Baen Books (July 1993)
◦ Format: Hardcover with Dust Jacket (Trade Edition)
◦ Edition: First Edition, First Printing (Verified)
◦ Identification: This is a verified First Edition, First Printing of If I Pay Thee Not in Gold, the collaborative fantasy novel by Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey. The copyright page states \"First printing, July 1993\". The dust jacket features the unclipped $20.00 price on the inner flap. The volume is bound in black boards with a black quarter-cloth binding and bright red spine lettering denoting \"Piers Anthony & Mercedes Lackey,\" \"If I Pay Thee Not in Gold,\" and \"Baen.\" Features standard white paste-downs and endpapers.
◦ Signatures & Provenance: This copy is extraordinarily rare as it is signed by all three major contributors: co-authors Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey, as well as the legendary cover artist Darrell K. Sweet. The book is inscribed to a previous owner (\"To Ronald, Enjoy\"). Finding a pristine first printing flatsigned by the entire creative trio is incredibly uncommon and makes this an awesome centerpiece for a fantasy collection.
◦ Genre: High Fantasy, Science Fantasy
◦ Topics:
• Xylina
• Mazonia
• Matriarchal Society
• Magic and Conjuration
• Gender Politics
• Gladiators
• Demons
• Quests and Magic Duels
◦ Exact Page Count:
• If I Pay Thee Not in Gold: 416 Pages
About the Book (Synopsis)
Veteran fantasy authors Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey joined forces for this unique adventure set in the matriarchal land of Mazonia, where women rule through powerful magical conjurations and men are treated as little more than slaves. The rebellious and magically gifted young orphan, Xylina, is given a terrifying ultimatum by the Queen: publicly conquer and tame the most glorious, vicious male gladiator in Mazonia, or suffer execution. But as Xylina and her new slave begin to forge an unexpected and powerful alliance, they set off on a treacherous quest to defeat a powerful curse, inadvertently becoming the catalysts to transform their entire world.
Archival Preservation
◦ Archival Sleeve: The dust jacket is protected by a professional-grade, 1.5-mil clear Mylar archival cover.
◦ Adhesive-Free Policy: My archival process utilizes zero adhesives, tape, or glues directly on the dust jacket or book, ensuring the integrity and value of the original materials are never compromised.
◦ Archival Backing: The jacket is supported by acid-free, pH-neutral backing paper to preserve paper quality and prevent any toning. Note: The Mylar is fitted naturally with unfinished creases to prevent spine stress and to allow the buyer to make fine visual adjustments to the backing height to their personal preference.
◦ Structural Integrity: Stored upright in a smoke-free, climate-controlled environment.
Condition Report
This multi-signed First Edition is in Like New condition overall, showcasing incredibly firm, unread structural integrity.
◦ Dust Jacket: Flawless / Like New. The jacket is in immaculate condition, exhibiting absolutely no edge wear, rubbing, or scuffing. It is fully stabilized, smoothed, and beautifully protected under Mylar.
◦ Binding & Boards: Like New. The black boards and black quarter-binding are perfectly clean, square, and solid. The red spine lettering is bright and sharp. The hinges on the boards are incredibly resistant and tight, confirming this volume has never been broken in or read.
◦ Text Block: Like New. The text block is firm, pristine, and brilliantly white. It looks brand new and is structurally unread.
◦ Internal / Signatures: Clean, white paste-downs and endpapers. As noted, the book is beautifully signed by authors Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey, and cover artist Darrell K. Sweet, with an inscription reading \"To Ronald, Enjoy\". The interior is otherwise completely free of any internal markings or remainder marks.
The Archival Standard
You are paying for verified quality, professional curation, and collector-level completeness:
• Deep Forensic Research: I conduct meticulous research on every book, thoroughly checking codes, publisher history, and edition markers to guarantee exactly what you are receiving.
• The Craft of Preservation: Hardcover books arrive protected by high-grade archival sleeves with acid-free backing.
• Unmatched Transparency: I provide honest, detailed descriptions of condition, ensuring you know exactly what is in your collection.
• Transparent & Fair Shipping: I do not inflate shipping costs to pad margins. You pay the true, calculated rate for secure transit. As the international shipper who runs The Chronomancers Archives, I ensure premium packaging worldwide.
• 360° Video Display & Comprehensive Photography: Please see all pictures and the included video to know exactly what you are getting. I utilize a rotating display platform to provide a full 55-second 360-degree rotation of the actual book.
Buyer Inquiries
◦ Questions: If you have any questions about this listing or need to see additional details, please reach out. I am always happy to answer any questions you might have.
◦ Negotiations: All of my books are OBO (Or Best Offer). Please feel free to make me an offer or send me a message. I do have minimum cut-off amounts that vary by book. If you see your offer being auto-declined, it is under that threshold.
Shipping & Handling
Your book will be shipped appropriately in a sturdy box. I utilize meticulous packaging methods, double-wrapping the volume in paper and bubble wrap, and utilizing styrofoam to ensure the book is completely immobilized. Your collection will survive transit anywhere in the world. I ship within 1-day handling time.
◦ Service: USPS Media Mail (Domestic) / Calculated International
◦ Combined Shipping: I offer combined shipping if you are looking to acquire multiple items from the archive. Just send me a direct message before checking out so I can sort the rates for you.
Physical Dimensions
◦ Height: 9.50 in
◦ Length: 6.50 in
◦ Width: 1.25 in
◦ Weight: 1.50 lb
