Heinlein Collection

[Moogle]

Just thought I would share my meager R.A.H. collection with anyone who is interested. I guess the prize of the collection is the original Number of the Beast with the beautiful illustrations. Everything you see was assembled from two used bookstores in my neck of the woods, and frankly some of the books aren't in the best shape. In my humble opinion the words are more important then the books themselves, and this collection is the result and conclusion of my Heinlein appreciation that started only several months ago!

Elmo is not mine by the way...

 

[Connavar]

That looks beautiful to me to see so many RAH books at once


I become fans only months ago too. So far i only have three RAH.

 

[HoopyFrood]

I've only recently become a fan of Heinlein as well, and have only...oh, I have six of his books (I thought I only had five! Just did a quick count). And all, expect one (which I picked up in Waterstones' three for two offer) came from second hand bookshops. I love second hand books, they often have the really retro covers and they have that wonderful old book smell. As nice as it is to crack open a shiny, new book, I adore the books I buy from independent shops. It's a strange way to describe it, but it's the only way I can think of doing it -- second hand books seem to have more character.

Oh, forgot to say...nice collection!

 

[Pyan]

My own RAH collection stands at 34 books, including all the juveniles. I started reading him early, and still pick up the odd copy in second-hand and charity shops.
The only major books that I still haven't got are Jonathan Hoag, Farnham's Freehold and Sixth Column - for some reason these don't turn up at all.
Perhaps people just don't get rid of them once bought.....

 

[Urlik]

The only major books that I still haven't got are Jonathan Hoag, Farnham's Freehold and Sixth Column - for some reason these don't turn up at all.
Perhaps people just don't get rid of them once bought.....

I feel your pain
The Unpleasant Proffession of Jonathon Hoag is a great story plus you get a couple of other shorts

I recently reread FF and it's still a fun read

 

[steve12553]

That "34" number is a nice thing because I stand at 21. I never made a conscious effort to collect them all. That means there's still more out there. I also have about half a dozen hard back, so mine are in two different places.

 

[Pyan]

There's at least fifty, steve, if you count all the anthologies.....

 

[NirgalW]

You guys are actually quite lucky to be starting out collecting them now... especially if you haven't read them all yet. It's all ahead of you.

I have anywhere between 1 and 5 copies of everything he wrote in paperback. I know hardcovers are worth more and whatever, but I just love paperbacks. I thinks its because I'm all about reading the books and nothing's better for that than the pb's. And I love the pulp covers. I basically got into buying another copy whenever I found an older printing or one I had but in better condition, or the occasional foreign cover.

I'd actually love to take a picture of them all laid out on the floor or something, but they're all in boxes in the garage til I move outa this apartment (sigh). Even though I just said paperbacks are the best for reading, I'm stuck reading them on my handheld til the move.

But, in the interest of saying something useful, when you've given up on the local Mom and Pop shop for those last few books, you've always got Ebay.. just remember to add the shipping to what you're willing to pay for that gem. And it sure made it easy for me to get the British printings I wanted.

Have fun, and don't dog-ear them!

NirgalW

 

[j d worthington]

eBay... and the other online outlets for used, second-hand, etc. books. (Though you can also find new copies for a lot less at some of the sites.)

Welcome aboard, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on RAH here... should TT be able to make it back at some point, sounds like you two would have quite a bit to discuss, as well.....

 

[NirgalW]

Sorry, it was late - forgot to say: nice collection.

Now, I'm cool with Elmo (Yours or not!) but what's with the shirt?
Does that say 'lame' or 'flame' or what?

I know you didn't ask, but (it's hard to tell what some of those books are) I'd add in 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' and 'The Door into Summer' first if I had the chance. Think I'll go back and read them right after I'm done with this Potter kid.

NirgalW

 

[Moogle]

Actually it's a Calgary Flames shirt. They're an NHL team for those not in the know.

 

[Spade]

Nice collection. I've been buying everything I can get my hands on at my local used bookstore. It's hard to pass up a Heinlein for $1 or less, no matter how long it takes me to get around to reading it.

 

[Pyan]

Found this in a charity shop, published by Digit Books. Anyone any idea of the date? (1st edition)

 

[Thanatos]

Found this in a charity shop, published by Digit Books. Anyone any idea of the date? (1st edition)

That sure looks like the 1960 Digit edition. I suppose it's a collection and the page count is 156 pp.

 

[Pyan]

Thanks, Thanatos...

 

[Connavar]

Is it only me that refuses to buy a second hand version of in print RAH books ?


I want to get RAHs in mint conditions and very new so they can last a long time for me.


This month im doubling my collection from 3 to 6. I have tried new authors for the last months its time to get back to collecting RAH

 

[Thanatos]

Fortunately for you Connavar, RAH is such a big name that almost all of his novels are available in one form or another.

Sadly this is not true of other Golden Age authors, namely Clifford D. Simak, one of my personal favorites.

 

[Connavar]

Yeah as you can see in latest post in book hauls i ordered 2 of his books and 2 of his biggest short story collections. I liked the fact i had so many choices beteween older books in good conditions and new editions.

I even ordered more expensive versions cause of they were new and or had better covers.


It isnt nearly half as good for even classic famed authors like Zelazny and Silverberg.

 

[Thanatos]

For all you big Heinlein fans what did you make of Variable Star?

I've heard the enthusiastic podcasts by Spider, and was somewhat taken over by the hype. Let's just say that as soon as I've read a feminine protagonist claiming that the number one job for girls is to marry and have babies (in this precise order, no less!) my expectations dropped like a stone on a pool.

Maybe I've just outgrown antiquated ideas or maybe it's just me but... I don't know it all sounds so 50's. Maybe that's the whole idea after all.

Anyway comparing it to my RAH all-time favorites: Have Space Suit, Wiil Travel; Citizen of the Galaxy; The Puppet Masters; Stranger in a Strange Land; it's a minor effort to say the least.

What are your thoughts on the novel?

 

[Connavar]

What did you expect ? Even RAH cant make every book a great one.

Also i distrust books realesed 50 years later then when it was written. Also there might be a good reason it wasnt published. If it was a hidden gem, RAH or his publishers would have realesed when he got famous.