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Rare opportunity to own four classic works by one of the most visionary authors in the history of science fiction!
Offered is a two-book lot of vintage Dover paperback editions by Olaf Stapledon, containing four of his most important science-fiction novels.
Stapledon was a major pioneer of cosmic-scale science fiction, exploring subjects such as the evolution of humanity, superintelligence, extraterrestrial civilizations, post-human beings and the ultimate destiny of life in the universe.
THE BOOKS
LAST AND FIRST MEN & STAR MAKER
Dover Publications, 1968
Two Science-Fiction Novels by Olaf Stapledon
Includes:LAST AND FIRST MEN — Stapledon\'s extraordinary \"future history\" of humanity, extending across millions of years and imagining successive forms of humanity, civilizations and struggles for survival.STAR MAKER — an astonishing journey through the universe involving alien civilizations, cosmic consciousness and the ultimate nature of intelligence and existence.
ODD JOHN AND SIRIUS
Dover Publications, 1972
Two Science-Fiction Novels by Olaf Stapledon
Includes:ODD JOHN — the story of an extraordinarily intelligent human being whose abilities and philosophy challenge the assumptions of ordinary humanity.SIRIUS — a fascinating experiment in intelligence and evolution centered on a genetically enhanced, highly intelligent sheepdog.
WHY STAPLEDON MATTERS TO SCIENCE-FICTION HISTORY
There is an especially interesting reason for collectors of Arthur C. Clarke to seek out these books.
Stapledon\'s vision had a profound influence on Sir Arthur C. Clarke, whose later work helped define modern science fiction.
Clarke himself was remarkably explicit about the impact of Last and First Men. In 1983 he wrote that no book before or since had had such an impact on his imagination, specifically citing Stapledon\'s vast visions of millions and hundreds of millions of years, and saying that the book had changed his outlook on the universe and influenced much of his writing.
The connection can be seen in Clarke\'s fascination with many of the same grand ideas: humanity\'s evolution beyond its present form, civilizations spanning immense periods of time, extraterrestrial intelligence, cosmic consciousness and the possibility that intelligence might ultimately transcend humanity. Scholars have particularly noted parallels between Stapledon\'s Star Maker and Last and First Men and Clarke\'s Childhood\'s End and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
In other words, these aren\'t merely old science-fiction paperbacks. They represent an important literary link to the work of one of the giants of 20th-century science fiction.
For a collector interested in Clarke, Stapledon provides an opportunity to explore one of the major sources behind the cosmic vision that later became characteristic of Clarke\'s fiction.
Good vintage condition.
Both books are complete, intact and firmly bound. They show normal signs of age and use, including:
- Cover rubbing and scuffing
- Edge and corner wear
- Surface scratches/abrasions
- Creasing and other handling wear
- Age-related discoloration
The photographs show the actual copies being offered.
These are good, honest vintage reading/collector copies, rather than Fine or Near Fine examples. Despite their cosmetic wear, the books remain intact and firm.
A GREAT COLLECTOR\'S LOT
For collectors of classic science fiction, vintage paperbacks, Dover editions, Arthur C. Clarke, speculative evolution, cosmic SF and the history of science fiction, this is an unusually interesting two-book lot.
NOTE: The seller is the editor of and text contributor to “Visionary,” Neil McAleer’s 2012 biography of Sir Arthur C. Clarke. These books were acquired in the 1970s for research purposes and are no longer needed.
Please inspect the photos to assess the condition and contents of these pre-owned items, all of which are in good, extremely usable condition. All are in firm condition, with tight binding and no loose pages.
Search the internet and you’ll find individual copies of these items tend to be scarce and sell for more individually than we are asking for them together. We offer all these items together at a reduced price because we need to cull our library of volumes quickly. That’s why we will sell these items together and will not separate them for individual sale. Requests to do so will not be answered.
Seller’s statement: As I continue to downsize my collection of books, I’m focusing on unusual phenomena, occultism, magic and related subjects. I’ve offered several difficult-to-find items on in the hope of reaching a broader group of collectors. It’s possible that some may be of interest to you. Please glance over these current items is the \"More from this Seller\" section.
