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Science Fiction Paperbacks: Laser Books Complete Run Autographed by Kelly Freas (Harlequin, 1975-77)

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Comics Start Price:135.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Science Fiction Paperbacks: Laser Books Complete Run Autographed by Kelly Freas (Harlequin, 1975-77)
<B>Science Fiction Paperbacks: Laser Books Complete Run Autographed by Kelly Freas (Harlequin, 1975-77).</B></I> This is the full 58-volume run of the Laser Books series, every one of which has a Kelly Freas cover, all in the same format with a portrait of one character in the right foreground. Each of these copies from Freas' personal collection has been autographed by the artist on the cover. Every story in the series was a previously unpublished paperback original, and though some established science fiction authors contributed novels, the editors also endeavored to find promising first-time authors. And find some they did, discovering Tim Powers (billed as "Timothy" here), whose first two novels, <B>The Skies Discrowned</B></I> and <B>Epitaph in Rust</B></I> are in this group, as well as K. W. Jeter, who also had his first two novels, <B>Seeklight</B></I> and <B>The Dreamfields</B></I>, published here. As for the veteran authors, the biggest name of the bunch is without a doubt million-selling suspense novelist Dean R. Koontz, who wrote some science fiction early in his career and penned volume #9, <B>Invasion</B></I>, under the pseudonym Aaron Wolfe (the only time Koontz used that name). And the most controversial book of the series is undoubtedly <B>But What Of Earth?</B></I> by sci-fi legend Piers Anthony. The author was reportedly furious with the editorial changes to his story (and the fact that Robert Coulson receives equal billing as co-author), and in fact Anthony later published his original manuscript as a revised edition. Comic book fans will recognize the name of writer Donald F. Glut (who wrote the title <B>Spawn</B></I> in this series) as the scripter of many a Gold Key Comic in the 1970s. The paperbacks are numbered #1-57 on the covers and one is an unnumbered limited edition, <B>Seeds of Change</B></I> by Thomas F. Monteleone, that was not sold in bookstores but sent to readers who mailed in a questionnaire. Note that two of the volumes, #1 and the numberless limited edition, are not the actual books but publisher's "dummies" (bound copies with the authentic cover, but with blank interior pages). The condition of the books is superb. Their clean spines indicate that they have obviously never been read. Only slight abrasions along the edges of some and the occasional slight crease separate these from fresh-from-the-printer condition. Exceptions: #2 (<B>Herds</B></I> by Stephen Goldwin) has a full-length crease on the cover; #9 (<B>Invasion</B></I>) has obviously been read, with spine stress and a stain on the back cover; #18 (<B>Legacy</B></I> by J. F. Bone) is also a well-thumbed copy; #43 (<B>Spawn</B></I>) and #53 (<B>The Ecolog</B></I> by R. Faraday Nelson) have slight water damage. The "dummy" of the unnumbered Limited Edition has handwritten notes (possibly by an editor, since they refer to ideas for a foreword) on the first few pages. Kelly Freas really demonstrated his creativity on these covers, triumphing over the constraints of a restrictive format with 58 individual illustrations. The entire spectrum of Freas covers in one place is a fascinating sight that's not to be missed! 58 items <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid.