The Vortex Blaster

Smith, E.E. "Doc"

Published by Gnome Press, Hicksville, New York, 1960

Language: English

Condition: Used - Good Hardcover

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Sold by The Quill and Parchment Booksellers, Red Wing, MN, U.S.A.

AbeBooks Seller since 12 April 2026

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Used - Hardcover

Condition: Used - Good

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About this Item

Story & Significance
What makes this copy worth attention is the binding. Currey records three bindings for the Gnome Press issue of "The Vortex Blaster," listed in priority order, and the blue boards with yellow spine lettering are the first of the three. This is a copy in that priority binding, the earliest trade state Gnome Press put on the book, not simply a first edition in whatever binding turned up. There is also a bibliographic wrinkle worth knowing. Currey lists two issues of the title. The one offered here is the Gnome Press issue, with the Hicksville, New York imprint on the title page. A separate issue exists under a Reading, Pennsylvania, Fantasy Press imprint, an overrun of roughly 341 copies that Lloyd Eshbach ran off immediately after the Gnome printing on better paper. The two are told apart by the imprint, and the distinction matters when you are matching a copy to a reference. This copy is the Gnome issue. The book itself is a fix-up set in Smith's Lensman universe, following Neal "Storm" Cloud as he hunts down loose atomic vortices. It was later reissued in paperback as "Masters of the Vortex," so the original Gnome hardcover under its first title is the one a press collector wants.

Physical Description
The binding is blue boards with the spine lettered in yellow, square at the corners, the boards still bright. The copyright page carries the stated "First Edition" with the Hicksville, New York imprint, confirming the Gnome Press issue and first printing. The dust jacket is the original wrap-around design by W.I. Van der Poel, unclipped with the $3.00 price intact, now housed in a new archival Mylar sleeve. It has escaped the heavy spine sunning that often catches this title, and the colors remain strong. The condition needs to be stated plainly. The text block and internal pages show significant tanning and darkening, heaviest at the edges. The binding is tight and the hinges are sound, but the paper itself has browned, and a buyer should expect that. The listing photographs of the text block show exactly what is there.

Collector's Note
For anyone working through Gnome Press, the binding priority is the thing to get right here. Three bindings exist, and only the blue boards with yellow lettering are the earliest; the gray cloth and gray wrappers Currey also records come later. The honest tradeoff is the browned text block against an unusually well-preserved exterior.

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Bibliographic Details

Title

The Vortex Blaster

Publisher

Gnome Press, Hicksville, New York

Publication Date

1960

Language

English

Binding

Hardcover

Edition

First Edition.

Printing

1st printing

Condition

Good

Dust Jacket Condition

Very Good

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Rare First Edition Science Fiction and Classic Literature The Quill and Parchment Booksellers specializes in rare, first edition, and first printing science fiction and classic literature. Our inventory focuses on collectible copies selected for literary significance, condition, and long-term collectability. Our approach to book collecting is what makes us different. Our focus is research and documentation. Founder Matt Thompson, a trained journalist and editor, applies careful bibliographic analysis to every book we offer. Each volume is examined for first edition points, printing statements, number lines, dust jacket issue markers, board colors, binding variants, and other identifying characteristics to ensure accurate representation. We also distinguish carefully between true first printings and book club editions, later printings, and variant states. Every book is accompanied by a structured research dossier outlining: Verified first edition and first printing identification points Condition assessment using established rare book grading standards Dust jacket pricing and issue details Printing history where available Provenance or association copy information, when applicable Our goal is transparency. When you acquire a rare or collectible book from The Quill and Parchment, you understand precisely what establishes its rarity and why it qualifies as a true first edition or significant issue. We offer books suitable for both serious collectors and those beginning their rare book collecting journey, including high-grade investment-quality first editions, carefully vetted mid-tier collectible copies, and readable vintage editions of important works in speculative fiction and classic literature. Whether you are searching for a first edition science fiction classic, researching how to identify a first printing, or building a curated rare book collection, The Quill and Parchment provides accurately described, carefully researched books for collectors who value precision and trust. If credible bibliographic evidence ever contradicts our findings, we will accept the return and issue a full refund.

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