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[Magazines and Periodicals][Literature][Sci-fi] Astounding Science Fiction archive of three issues. New York: Street & Smith Publications, 1937-1942. Three issues with color-illustrated wrappers. A significant three-issue archive from the formative years of Astounding Science Fiction, the flagship pulp magazine that defined mid-20th-century science fiction under editor John W. Campbell, Jr. These issues-dating from 1937, 1938, and 1942-capture the emergence of hard science fiction and its consolidation as a genre grounded in technological rigor, speculative futurism, and serialized world-building. Notable for early appearances by many of the key architects of the Golden Age, these issues exemplify Astounding's unique editorial voice and influence, as well as its role in shaping American popular conceptions of science, progress, and modernity. Archive includes: [1] Astounding Science Fiction, Volume XIX, No. 2 (April 1937). Published under the earlier "Astounding Stories" banner, this issue features Ross Rocklynne's novella Water for Mars, described as "a great novel of supernal forces," alongside stories by P. Schuyler Miller, Nelson S. Bond, and Ray Cummings. Additional science features include John W. Campbell Jr.'s Beyond the Life Line and Battell Loomis's A Talking Hill, a speculative exploration of the Great Pyramid. [2] Astounding Science Fiction, Volume XXII, No. 2 (October 1938). Marking the magazine's transitional moment as Astounding Science-Fiction, this issue includes L. Ron Hubbard's serialized novel The Tramp (part two), alongside early work by Clifford D. Simak ("Hunger Death"), Raymond Z. Gallun ("Magician of Dream Valley"), and Eando Binder ("Orestes Revolts"). With Peter van Dresser's article "Why Rockets Don't Fly," the issue demonstrates Campbell's programmatic blending of scientific speculation and narrative fiction. [3] Astounding Science Fiction, Volume XXIX, No. 6 (August 1942). A landmark issue containing the first appearance of Waldo by Anson MacDonald, a pseudonym for Robert A. Heinlein. The novella introduced the concept of remote manipulator arms-"Waldoes"-which would enter the scientific and technical lexicon. Additional contributions include Hal Clement's Impediment, Cleve Cartmill's The Link, and Lewis Padgett's Deadlock. The article "Bombing is a Fine Art" by Willy Ley presents a technical perspective on aerial warfare at the height of World War II. This trio highlights the early pulp-to-prestige transition ushered in by Astounding Science Fiction, cementing its role in launching the careers of Heinlein, Hubbard, Clement, Simak, and others. All issues with significant creasing and chipping. April 1937 issue with loss to top left corner of front wrapper, front wrapper separated. In overall fair condition. A fascinating primary source for scholars of speculative fiction, Cold War futurism, and American literary science fiction's institutional evolution. Scarce in any condition.
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