Winston Science Fiction

The "Winston Science Fiction" set is comprised of 35 science fiction juvenile novels by famous science fiction authors such as Poul Anderson, Arthur C. Clarke, Ben Bova, and Lester del Rey and one non-fiction book "Rockets through Space: The Story of Man's Preparations to Explore the Universe" by del Rey which details the factual science and technology of rocket flight. The set was published by The John C. Winston Company between 1952 and 1960, then by Holt, Rinehart & Winston until 1961. The dust jackets feature classic science fiction illustrations by artists like Hugo Award winners Ed Emshwiller and Virgil Finlay along with Hugo nominees like Mel Hunter and Alex Schomburg.

Background

Juvenile science fiction hard covers had been published for some time prior to the beginning of the Winston series, most notably the Tom Swift series published from 1910-1941.Fact|date=January 2008 However, as the Tom Swift series declined, and the economic pressures of World War II escalated, juvenile offerings became slim. [Sands, Karen and Frank, Marietta (1999). "Back in the Spaceship Again: Juvenile Science Fiction Series Since 1945", Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313301921 pp 1-2]

The Winston Publishing Company had a history of publishing material for youth since the early part of the 20th century, such as the "Young People's Library of Entertainment and Amusement" and "The Forward Series for Boys and Girls". [The John C. Winston Company.(1905, December 16). The New York Times] After the publication of Robert A. Heinlein's Rocket Ship Galileo in 1947 revived the juvenile science fiction market, The Winston Publishing Company decided to develop a juvenile science fiction series that would be set apart from the pulp fiction of its time. Known and respected SF authors were hired, and each novel was to include a factual forward explaining the science and technology referenced in the novel. [Sands, Karen and Frank, Marietta (1999). "Back in the Spaceship Again: Juvenile Science Fiction Series Since 1945", Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313301921, pp 3-4] The publisher's announcement of the series in "Publishers Weekly" clearly outlines the goals of the series:

Five compelling tales designed TO SELL to the expanding science fiction market! Only writers who have won the respect of the science fiction audience have been signed to write these accurate yet absorbing books. Each contains an explanation of new terms and a discussion of its scientific aspects. ... For all ages. ["Publishers Weekly", 26 Jan. 1952, p. 412.]

History

The series began in 1952 with the publication of the first 5 books: "Earthbound" by Milton Lesser, "Find the Feathered Serpent" by Evan Hunter, "Marooned on Mars" by Lester del Rey, "Son of the Stars" by Raymond Jones, and "Five Against Venus" by Philip Latham. Later in the year a second group of five novels were added to the series: "Sons of the Ocean Deep" by Bryce Walton, "Mists of Dawn" by Chad Oliver, "Rocket Jockey" by Phillip St. John, "Islands in the Sky" by Arthur Clarke, and "Vault of the Ages" by Poul Anderson. Each book was an original written especially for the Winston series, and marketed for the juvenile audience. ["Extrapolation", Spring 1984, Vol. 25, No. 1, p. 34.]

Literary significance and reception

Differing from static characters like Tom Swift and David Starr the Winston heroes show dynamic growth and character development throughout their novels and series. [Sands, Karen and Frank, Marietta (1999). "Back in the Spaceship Again: Juvenile Science Fiction Series Since 1945", Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313301921, p 6] This fact has contributed to the lasting influence of the series on its readers, creating accessible role models for young readers.Fact|date=January 2008

Artwork

The first edition dust jacket illustrations by famous science fiction artists have made the Winston set highly collectible. Contributors include Hugo winning artists like Alex Schomburg (who also created the endpapers used in every book of the series) and Virgil Finlay, as well Hugo nominees like Mel Hunter, and Ed Emshwiller. First edition copies of Winston series books with good condition dust jackets have been known to sell for over $100 USD. [Moon of Mutiny [http://cgi.ebay.com/MOON-OF-MUTINY-by-Lester-Del-Rey-First-Edition_W0QQitemZ250112920884QQcmdZViewItem ebay auction] . Retrieved on 2007-11-10.]

Winston cover art features colorful images of spaceflight, exploration (of Earth, Space, and Time) and other fantastical subject matter describing important scenes from each book. The art is similar in style to pulp fiction art of the time, but like the novels themselves, the art tends towards a believable and accurate portrayal of the subject matter. Artists like Mel Hunter had extensive training in scientific and technical illustration, and a broad knowledge of space technologies. This gives the covers a more serious feel than some other art of the time, and compliments the educational attitude the authors took in writing their factual forwards describing the science and technology that appears in the books.

Books in the "Winston Science Fiction" set

*"Earthbound" by Milton Lesser, cover by Peter Poulton (1952)
*"Find the Feathered Serpent" by Evan Hunter, cover by Henry Sharp (1952)
*"Five Against Venus" by Philip Latham (Robert S. Richardson), cover by Virgil Finlay (1952)
*"Islands in the Sky" by Arthur C. Clarke, cover by Alex Schomburg (1952)
*"Marooned on Mars" by Lester Del Rey, cover by Paul Orban (1952)
*"Mists of Dawn" by Chad Oliver, cover by Alex Schomburg (1952)
*"Rocket Jockey" by Philip St. John (Lester Del Rey), cover by Alex Schomburg (1952)
*"Son of the Stars" by Raymond F. Jones, cover by Alex Schomburg (1952)
**Number 1 in the Clonar series
*"Sons of the Ocean Deeps" by Bryce Walton, cover by Paul Orban (1952)
*"Vault of the Ages" by Poul Anderson, cover by Paul Orban (1952)
*"Attack from Atlantis" by Lester Del Rey, cover by Kenneth Fagg (1953)
*"Battle on Mercury" by Erik Van Lhin (Lester del Rey), cover by Kenneth Fagg (1953)
*"Danger: Dinosaurs!" by Richard Marsten (Evan Hunter), cover by Alex Schomburg (1953)
*"Missing Men of Saturn" by Philip Latham, cover by Alex Schomburg (1953)
*"The Mysterious Planet" by Kenneth Wright (Lester Del Rey), cover by Alex Schomburg (1953)
*"Mystery of the Third Mine" by Robert W. Lowndes, cover by Kenneth Fagg (1953)
*"Planet of Light" by Raymond F. Jones, cover by Alex Schomburg (1953)
**Number 2 in the Clonar series
*"Rocket to Luna" by Richard Marsten (Evan Hunter), cover by Alex Schomburg (1953)
*"The Star Seekers" by Milton Lesser, cover by Paul Calle' (1953)
*"Vandals of the Void" by Jack Vance, cover by Alex Schomburg (1953)
*"Rockets to Nowhere" by Philip St. John (Lester Del Rey), cover by Alex Schomburg (1954)
*"The Secret of Saturn's Rings" by Donald A. Wollheim, cover by Alex Schomburg (1954)
*"The Year After Tomorrow" edited by Lester Del Rey, Carl Carmer & Cecile Matschat, cover and illustrated by Mel Hunter (1954)
*"Step to the Stars" by Lester Del Rey, cover by Alex Schomburg (1954)
**Number 1 in the Jim Stanley series
*"Trouble on Titan" by Alan E. Nourse, cover by Alex Schomburg (1954)
*"The World at Bay" by Paul Capon, cover by Alex Schomburg (1954)
*"The Ant Men" by Eric North, cover by Paul Blaisdell (1955)
*"Secret of the Martian Moons" by Donald A. Wollheim, cover by Alex Schomburg (1955)
*"The Lost Planet" by Paul Dallas, cover by Alex Schomburg (1956)
*"Mission to the Moon" by Lester Del Rey, cover by Alex Schomburg (1956)
**Number 2 in the Jim Stanley series
*"Rockets Through Space" by Lester Del Rey, cover and illustrated by James Heugh (1957)
**Special Companion Book (nonfiction)
*"The Year When Stardust Fell" by Raymond F. Jones, cover by James Heugh (1958)
*"The Secret of the Ninth Planet" by Donald A. Wollheim, cover by James Heugh (1959)
*"The Star Conquerors" by Ben Bova, cover by Mel Hunter (1959)
*"Stadium Beyond the Stars" by Milton Lesser, cover by Mel Hunter (1960)
*"Moon of Mutiny" by Lester Del Rey, cover by Ed Emshwiller (1961)
**Number 3 in the Jim Stanley series
*"Spacemen, Go Home" by Milton Lesser, cover by Ed Emshwiller (1961)

References