HORNIG, Charles D. (1916-1999) (ed.). Future Fiction. Vol. I, nos. 1-4. New York: Double Action Magazines, 1939-1940.

4 issues bound as one. (Covers clipped.) Contemporary cloth personally bound by Robert W. “Doc” Lowndes. Provenance: Robert W. “Doc” Lowndes (1916-1998), American science fiction author and editor (ownership inscription, gift inscription from Frank R. Paul on Vol. 4 table of contents); Forrest J. Ackerman (1916-2008), American editor, magazine publisher, and science fiction author; acquired by the present owner directly from Ackerman.

INSCRIBED BY FRANK R. PAUL TO “DOC,” “The best.”

Charles D. Hornig began work on what would become Future Fiction Magazine shortly after ending his short-lived publication The Fantasy Fan in 1935. The magazine operated under Hornig’s leadership for one short year before being taken over by Robert W. “Doc” Lowndes in 1941; Lowndes would continue to edit the publication through twenty years and six name changes until folding the magazine entirely in 1960.

[With]: NOWLAN, Philip Francis (1888-1940). Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Ann Arbor: Edwin Aprill, Jr., 1964. 4to. Original folder with metal fastening containing mimeographed sheets (rubbing and edgewear). LIMITED EDITION, one of 500 copies. The genesis for Buck Rogers came from a short story by Nowlan published in the April 1928 issue of Amazing Stories entitled “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” The strip was written by Nowlan from 1929 to 1939 and illustrated by Dick Calkins from 1929-1932, after which time the strip was run by a series of writers and artists who would eventually expand the lore into radio and film.