Prime Press
Encyclopedia
Prime Press, Inc. was a science fiction
and fantasy small press
specialty publishing house founded in 1947. It was founded by Oswald Train, James A. Williams, Alfred C. Prime, and Armand E. Waldo who were all members of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society
. The founders originally intended that the press focus on writers living in the Philadelphia area or associated with PSFS. In 1950, Prime and Waldo asked Williams and Train to buy them out. Williams died suddenly in 1953. Train was unable to continue the press on his own. Their next book was to have been Lost Continents
, by L. Sprague de Camp
. Prime had printed the signatures, but handed the project off to Gnome Press
who bound them with a new title page.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy small press
Small press
Small press is a term often used to describe publishers with annual sales below a certain level. Commonly, in the United States, this is set at $50 million, after returns and discounts...
specialty publishing house founded in 1947. It was founded by Oswald Train, James A. Williams, Alfred C. Prime, and Armand E. Waldo who were all members of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society
Philadelphia Science Fiction Society
The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society is a science fiction club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. PSFS is the second oldest group in science fiction fandom and hosted what is considered by some to be the first science fiction convention...
. The founders originally intended that the press focus on writers living in the Philadelphia area or associated with PSFS. In 1950, Prime and Waldo asked Williams and Train to buy them out. Williams died suddenly in 1953. Train was unable to continue the press on his own. Their next book was to have been Lost Continents
Lost Continents
Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in History, Science, and Literature is a study by L. Sprague de Camp. It is considered one of his most popular works...
, by L. Sprague de Camp
L. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
. Prime had printed the signatures, but handed the project off to Gnome Press
Gnome Press
Gnome Press was an American small-press publishing company primarily known for publishing many science fiction classics.The company was founded in 1948 by Martin Greenberg and David A. Kyle. Many of Gnome's titles were reprinted in England by Boardman Books...
who bound them with a new title page.
Works published by Prime Press
- The Mislaid CharmThe Mislaid CharmThe Mislaid Charm is a fantasy novel by author Alexander M. Phillips. It was first published in book form in 1947 by Prime Press in an edition of 5,000 copies. The novel originally in the magazine Unknown in February 1941...
, by Alexander M. PhillipsAlexander M. PhillipsAlexander Moore Phillips was an American short story writer and novelist. He also worked as a topographical draftsman for a title insurance company. Phillips served in the U. S. Army from April, 1942 spending time in Egypt and Palestine. His short stories appeared in pulp magazines including...
(1947) - Venus EquilateralVenus Equilateral (collection)Venus Equilateral is a collection of science fiction short stories by author George O. Smith. The stories belong to Smith's Venus Equilateral series. The collection was first published in 1947 by Prime Press in an edition of 3,000 copies. "Mad Holiday" was written for this collection...
, by George O. SmithGeorge O. SmithGeorge Oliver Smith was an American science fiction author. He is not to be confused with George H. Smith, another American science fiction author.-Biography:...
(1947) - Equality; or, A History of LithconiaEquality; or, A History of LithconiaEquality; or, A History of Lithconia is a utopian fantasy novel. It is the first American utopian novel. The author is unknown, though Donald H. Tuck speculates that it could be Dr. James Reynolds, a zealous liberal crusader. The novel was originally serialized in 8 parts in the weekly...
, Anonymous (1947) - ...And Some Were Human...And Some Were Human...And Some Were Human is a collection of science fiction short stories by author Lester del Rey. The collection was first published in 1948 by Prime Press in an edition of 3,050 copies of which 50 were specially bound, slipcased and signed by the author...
, by Lester del ReyLester del ReyLester del Rey was an American science fiction author and editor. Del Rey was the author of many of the Winston Science Fiction juvenile SF series, and the editor at Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science fiction branch of Ballantine Books, along with his fourth wife Judy-Lynn del Rey.-Birth...
(1948) - It!, by Theodore SturgeonTheodore SturgeonTheodore Sturgeon was an American science fiction author.His most famous novel is More Than Human .-Biography:...
(1948) - Without SorceryWithout SorceryWithout Sorcery is a collection of science fiction and fantasy short stories by author Theodore Sturgeon. The collection was first published in 1948 by Prime Press in an edition of 2,862 copies of which 80 were specially bound, slipcased and signed by the author and artist...
, by Theodore SturgeonTheodore SturgeonTheodore Sturgeon was an American science fiction author.His most famous novel is More Than Human .-Biography:...
(1948) - The TorchThe Torch (novel)The Torch is a science fiction novel by author Jack Bechdolt. It was first published in book form in 1948 by Prime Press in an edition of 3,000 copies. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine Argosy in January 1920.-Plot introduction:...
, by Jack BechdoltJack BechdoltJohn Ernest Bechdolt was an American short story writer, novelist and journalist. He wrote under the name Jack Bechdolt as well as his full name. He worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from 1909–1916, after which he moved to New York where he worked for Munsey Publications for a year...
(1948) - Lest Darkness FallLest Darkness FallLest Darkness Fall is an alternate history science fiction novel written in 1939 by author L. Sprague de Camp. The book is often considered one of the best examples of the alternate history genre; it is certainly one of the most influential...
, by L. Sprague de CampL. Sprague de CampLyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
(1949) - The HomunculusThe HomunculusThe Homunculus is a fantasy novel by author David H. Keller, M.D.. It was first published in 1949 by Prime Press in an edition of 2,112 copies of which 112 were slipcased and signed by the author.-Plot introduction:...
, by David H. Keller, M.D. (1949) - Lords of CreationLords of CreationLords of Creation is a science fiction novel by author Eando Binder . It was first published in book form in 1949 by Prime Press in an edition of 2,112 copies, of which 112 were signed, numbered and slipcased...
, by Eando BinderEando BinderEando Binder is a pen-name used by two mid-20th-century science fiction authors, Earl Andrew Binder and his brother Otto Binder . The name is derived from their first initials ....
(1949) - Exiles of TimeExiles of TimeExiles of Time is a science fiction novel by author Nelson S. Bond. It was first published in book form in 1949 by Prime Press in an edition of 2,112 copies, of which 112 were signed, numbered and slipcased...
, by Nelson S. BondNelson S. BondNelson Slade Bond was an American author who wrote extensively for books, magazines, radio, television and the stage....
(1949) - The Eternal ConflictThe Eternal ConflictThe Eternal Conflict is a fantasy novel by author David H. Keller, M.D.. It was first published in 1949 by Prime Press in an edition of 400 copies, all of which were signed, numbered and slipcased. The novel was originally serialized in French in Le Primaires under the title Le Duel Sans Fin, in...
, by David H. Keller, M.D. (1949) - Three Hundred Years HenceThree Hundred Years HenceThree Hundred Years Hence is a utopian science fiction novel by author Mary Griffith. It is the first known utopian novel written by an American woman and was published by Prime Press in 1950 in an edition of 300 copies...
, by Mary GriffithMary GriffithMary Griffith was an American writer, horticulturist and scientist. Born Mary Corre, she married John Griffith, a wealthy New York City merchant who died in 1815. After the death of her husband she purchased an estate in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey...
(1950) - The Incomplete EnchanterThe Incomplete EnchanterThe Incomplete Enchanter is a collection of two classic fantasy short stories by science fiction and fantasy authors L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt, the first volume in their Harold Shea series. The pieces were originally published in the magazine Unknown in the issues for May and August, 1940...
, by L. Sprague de CampL. Sprague de CampLyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
(1950) - NomadNomad (book)Nomad is a science fiction novel by author George O. Smith. It was first published in book form in 1950 by Prime Press in an edition of 2,500 copies...
, by George O. SmithGeorge O. SmithGeorge Oliver Smith was an American science fiction author. He is not to be confused with George H. Smith, another American science fiction author.-Biography:...
(1950) - The Wolf LeaderThe Wolf LeaderThe Wolf Leader is an English translation by Alfred Allinson of Le Meneur de loups, an 1857 fantasy novel by Alexandre Dumas. Allinson's translation was first published in London by Methuen in 1904 under the title The Wolf-Leader; the first American edition, edited and somewhat cut by L...
, by Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas, pèreAlexandre Dumas, , born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie was a French writer, best known for his historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world...
, translated and edited by L. Sprague de CampL. Sprague de CampLyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
(1950) - The Lady DecidesThe Lady DecidesThe Lady Decides is a fantasy novel by author David H. Keller, M.D.. It was first published in 1950 by Prime Press in an edition of 400 copies, all of which were signed, numbered and slipcased....
, by David H. Keller, M.D. (1950) - The Blind SpotThe Blind SpotThe Blind Spot is a science fiction novel by authors Austin Hall and Homer Eon Flint. The novel was originally serialized in six parts in the magazine Argosy beginning in May, 1921. It was first published in book form in 1951 by Prime Press in an edition of 1,500 copies, though fewer than 800 were...
, by Austin HallAustin Hall (writer)Austin Hall was an American short story writer and novelist. He began writing when, while working as a cowboy, he was asked to write a story. He wrote westerns, science fiction and fantasy for pulp magazines.-Works by Austin Hall:...
and Homer Eon FlintHomer Eon FlintHomer Eon Flint was a writer of pulp science fiction novels and stories.He began working as a scenarist for silent films in 1912. In 1918 he published "The Planeteer" in All-Story Weekly. His "Dr...
(1951)