Swann Galleries to Offer Science Fiction Collection of Stanley Simon

New York—Cornerstones of science fiction from the Estate of Stanley Simon form the backbone of Swann Galleries’ May 15 auction of 19th & 20th Century Literature.

Stanley Simon was a passionate, dedicated, life-long collector of sci-fi, thriller and fantasy first editions as well as photography from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Offered at Swann are almost 100 first editions, nearly all of them signed. Of particular note is a signed first edition of Philip K. Dick’s Ubik, 1969, with an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000, and the galley proof of Valis, 1987 ($4,000 to $6,000), neither of which are known to have appeared at auction before.

Also from Simon’s collection comes a significant run of Stephen King’s masterpieces, including the deluxe limited edition of The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger, 1982, signed by King and illustrator Michael Whelan, and a signed and inscribed first edition of his first novel, Carrie, 1974 ($2,500 to $3,500 and $1,200 to $1,800, respectively). Also available is the deluxe limited edition in zippered black leather of Skeleton Crew, 1985, previously in the collection of the illustrator, J.K. Potter, in which he wrote, “This, my own contributors copy, is for Stanley Simon.” The estimate is $2,000 to $3,000. Making their auction debuts are the galley proof of The Shining, 1977, signed and inscribed ($800 to $1,200), and the uncorrected proof of The Stand, 1990, inscribed to Stanley, carrying an estimate of $700 to $1,000.

Additional highlights from the Stanley Simon Estate include the first edition of Delos W. Lovelace’s novelization of King Kong, 1932, inscribed by creator Marcel Delgado and actress Fay Wray, who wrote, “Dear Stanley - With memories of King Kong both for you and Fay Wray.” The association copy carries an estimate of $4,500 to $6,000. Also available is the complete Foundation trilogy, 1951-53, by Isaac Asimov. Each of the three novels, the winner of The Hugo Award for best all-time series, is a first edition signed by the author, still in its original dust jacket ($4,500 to $6,000). Important editions of Ray Bradbury’s magnum opus Fahrenheit 451, 1953, are led by the limited author’s edition personally inscribed to Simon ($6,000 to $9,000).

Leading the auction is the first edition of Ernest Hemingway’s first book, Three Stories & Ten Poems, 1923, printed by Maurice Darantière, who also printed James Joyce's Ulysses, a first English edition of which will also be offered ($20,000 to $30,000 and $2,500 to $3,500, respectively).

Also available is the first auction appearance of a copy in the third issue jacket, notable for its orange lettering, of the true first edition of Anne Frank’s diary, Het Achterhuis, 1947, with an estimate of $7,000 to $10,000.

Nineteenth-century highlights include a set of the first editions of Emily Dickinson’s first three books of poetry, 1890-96, together estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. Highlights by the father of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, include the seldom-seen first separate American edition of The Raven, circa 1870, with 18 wood-engraved illustrations, estimated at $1,000 to $1,500, and the first printing of The Murders in the Rue Morgue, 1841. Hailed as the first detective story, it was published in the April edition of Graham’s Magazine ($1,000 to $1,500). Also available is the first edition in fragile wrappers of Christabel: Kubla Khan, A Vision; The Pains of Sleep, 1816, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, with an estimate of $5,000 to $7,500.

The complete catalogue with bidding information is available at www.swanngalleries.com. Additional highlights can be found here.

Image: Lot 108: Philip K. Dick, Ubik, first edition, signed, Garden City, 1969. Estimate $4,000 to $6,000.