Wow! This is an OLD pocket book and it looks it!
Actually this science fiction book has some family history for us but as we are now doing a massive cleanup of my folks old stuff, and others wanted to throw this out, I am looking for someone who appreciates what this book is, what is represents and of course, the short stories.
Nebula was begun by a young lad (18) over in Scotland, ground breaking publication at the time although Peter Hamilton started the venture off in "fits and starts" - he was young, didn't have a lot of money to throw around and limited access to printing facilities. Luckily his parents owned a printing business but he could only release his book when their machines were not doing "real" paid work for clients. So releases in the early days were erratic - often months between releases.
Peter would encourage sci-fi writers to send their stories to him and they were paid per one thousand words - he initially offered one of the lowest rates at the time but Peter was very good at encouraging new writers to provide stories for his periodical books and in doing so, managed to pull in some really iconic British sci-fi authors such as Robert Silverberg, Brian Aldiss, and Bob Shaw. In fact one of Robert's stories is in this release. Have a look around online and there is plenty more to learn about Nebula and Peter Hamilton.
My grandfather lived in Glasgow and he bought this book, even though at this time half a crown (2 Shillings 6 Pence) was a fair bit of money. I also recall that he had others but I cannot find them yet. Since then (1956) this book has been passed down through our family.
NEBULA SCIENCE FICTION
Issue: Number 15
Published by Peter Hamilton of Glasgow (Scotland)
Printed by The Munro Press in Perth (Scotland) - not his parents factory, Crownpoint.
Released 1956
Soft Cover
Pocket sized book (210mm x 140mm x 10mm)
116 pages
Mainly text only but with the occasional graphics which look to have been "indian ink" drawn (hand pen with a nib which was dipped into the black ink)
I have taken a photograph of the book contents but here are the authors featured:
E.C Tubb
Bob Shaw
James White
Robert Heinlein
Christopher Lyster
David Irish
Peter Hamilton (Special Feature)
Kenneth F. Slater
Forrest J. Ackerman
Walter A. Willis
Section at the rear is for Readers Letters, interesting in themselves
COSMETIC CONDITION:
You can see from the photographs,she ain't pretty laddie!
Stapled spine is sound and without structural damage
Creasing and small tears to the front and rear colour cover
All pages are present and accounted for...sir!
Pages are distinctly yellowed BUT no mildew spots! As an indicator, look at the contents page - that is the WORST page of the book for marks!
Corner creasing from page turning
Overall, a bit "grubby" looking
As the book is over almost 70 years old, I have decided to try and maintain the present condition and it has been placed onto strong stiff cardboard and then sealed within plastic. I now keep it in the spare room, away from sunlight. If someone buys this book, this is how it will be sent - nice and safely.
