There’s a really good indoor market in Bath. Under the roof of this market you can find hardware stalls, a greasy spoon, an Italian run 50’s style American diner, sweets, delis, needle and thread and a great secondhand paperback bookstall.
This bookstall buys and sells paperbacks of all genres, but it is the SF section which attracts me most days. You see, not only do I enjoy SF literature, but I adore the covers of the books which I read as a child. I remember reading books with lurid cover illustrations, painterly effects, designs beyond the logical and flying in the face of understanding. The SF cover illustrations of the 70’s and 80’s which adorned my bedtime reading, were amongst some of the most evocative and inspirational images I came into contact with on a daily basis.
I have in my heart a passion for the styling of SF book covers from this period. Some call it ‘pulp’ some call them (and the entire genre sometimes) dross. However, I find that Publishers will generally publish new covers to a) give a range a new look b) get you to re-buy your books (because you’re halfway through a series and you like to keep everything looking uniform) and c) to give a uniform look when certain titles have been grouped together under an umbrella range (a ‘Masterworks Collection’ for instance). I do like to read a book with a cover I like. It seems a shame sometimes to read, or in some cases reread a book
The Robots Of Dawn – Cover Illustration by Chris Foss, 1985 Reprinting
Thing is, and it’s an old adage, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. In respect of certain pulp SF covers, not at all. Even if you think the cover looks awesome and fits with the style of book you like to read, having seen Chris Foss’s cover illustration for Issac Asimov’s “Robots of Dawn”, a towering colosal robot with a city in it’s head and strangling an equally gargantuan tree, you might find yourself a little perplexed at the robot detective story, with robots which look identical to humans, contained with.
Chris Foss is, in my opinion, one of the best cover illustrators there is. His artwork has been a missive influence on me. Whilst I couldn’t claim to attempt his subject matter and his use of colours is something I’ve never been able to achieve, his ideas and scope and visions have left me needing to explore and develop my own visions in a similar way.
One of my favorite pastimes is to visit secondhand bookshops, such as the one in the market, in search of those old covers. To surround myself with images which inspire and enthrall your mind.
Here are a few I’ve purchased just recently – the list is not intended in any way to be exhaustive in delivering excellent SF illustrations.
Dune – 1970 Reprint
Dune is one of those SF novels which has just simply had a massive influence on me and my development. The numerous adaptations stand testament to it’s popularity. This cover is from the late 60’s and describe still-suits in a way I never imagined them. The painterly effects conjure up feelings of Arabian myths mixed with distant planets and far off places.
Gaean Trillogy – Illustrated by ‘Freff’, 1986 Reprint
Enigmatic ‘Freff’ (in an Internet presence at any rate) lent his skill to realising the Gaean trilogy, playing with the symbology and creating a cover which really draws you in and lets you know in a much more direct way, what’s contained within.
The Dying Earth – 1981 Printing
Jack Vance’s “The Dying Earth”. What on earth is going on here? Best spend the 75p and find out.
The Stone God Awakens – 1979 Reprint
“The Stone God Awakens” The title forces imagery upon you, the cover does likewise, with all this imagery going on, could the story stand up to it?
Unfortunately, it is not always the case that publishers note who illustrated the cover, so I’ve noted the illustrator where I can. Please feel free to add names if you know them.
anthonyudall 