Astounding SF February 1957 Freas Cover – Omnilingual

🚀 Astounding Science Fiction, February 1957 — Kelly Freas Cover, H. Beam Piper’s “Omnilingual”

Volume LVIII, Number 6. Street & Smith digest pulp, 35¢ cover price. Editor: John W. Campbell, Jr.

THIS ISSUE

The February 1957 Astounding is headlined by H. Beam Piper’s “Omnilingual,” a novelette that has become one of the most reprinted and celebrated works of 1950s science fiction. Set on Mars, it follows archaeologist Martha Dane and an Earth expedition as they attempt to decode the written language of a civilization that vanished 50,000 years ago — a story that treats xenolinguistics with the rigor of real academic methodology. “Omnilingual” earned a Hugo Award nomination and has been translated into multiple languages. It’s available on Project Gutenberg and appears in numerous “best of” anthologies, making it one of Piper’s signature works alongside his Terro-Human Future History series.

Also in this issue: the conclusion of James Blish’s two-part serial “Get Out of My Sky,” which explores the social and personal consequences when two civilizations — the inhabitants of Home and Rathe — come into sustained contact. The February issue carries Part 2 of 2, making it the serialization’s conclusion. Short fiction includes “Unlucky Chance,” “The Man With the Corkscrew Mind,” and “The War Is Over,” plus the feature article “Unprovable Speculation.”

COVER ART & ILLUSTRATIONS

Kelly Freas provides the cover — a characteristically dramatic scene: three figures in a state of intense concentration, framed against a vivid yellow-orange industrial backdrop with scientific apparatus. The composition conveys the contemplative tension at the heart of the issue’s lead story. Interior illustrations are by Freas and Anton van Dongen, both regular contributors to Campbell’s Astounding. Freas, who would be celebrated as the “Dean of Science Fiction Artists,” was producing some of his finest work during this period. He held the record for Hugo Award wins for Best Professional Artist through the 1990s.

WHY IT MATTERS

• “Omnilingual” is among the most frequently reprinted Piper stories — included in the Gutenberg free library and multiple anthologies of classic SF
• Volume LVIII, Number 6 — this issue contains the conclusion of the “Get Out of My Sky” serialization, making it the complete second half
• John W. Campbell’s editorship of Astounding (1937–1971) is widely regarded as the creative engine behind science fiction’s golden age
• Freas’s cover art from this era is highly collectible, with original paintings selling at auction for five figures

FOR COLLECTORS

An above-average copy of a Campbell-era Astounding with two strong draws: a notable Freas cover and the debut of one of H. Beam Piper’s most enduring stories. The Blish serial conclusion adds completeness value for anyone assembling the full 1957 Astounding run. Condition-wise, this is close to the best you’ll find for a 69-year-old digest pulp — check the photos for details.

This is an amazing condition 3/4 century old pulp – looks like it possibly could be unread.

No reading creases, not dog eared, no writing or tears or labels. Some light discoloration to white borders on back cover. Mild tanning on page edges internally, closes tightly, staples/binding not stressed.

Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

HFB-SEO-v1: 2026-07-02

1 in stock