Frontiers in Space — Bantam #1328, 1955

📖 Frontiers in Space edited by Everett F. Bleiler and T.E. Dikty (Bantam Books, 1955) — a first Bantam edition paperback collecting 14 standout SF stories from the 1951, 1952, and 1953 annuals of The Best Science Fiction Stories. This copy is in Very Good condition with bright cover art and intact red edge staining.

QUICK FACTS

• Editors: Everett F. Bleiler (1920–2010) and T.E. Dikty (1921–1991)
• Publisher: Bantam Books (No. 1328), New York
• Year: 1955 (1st Bantam Edition, April 1955 printing)
• Format: Mass-market paperback, ~162 pages
• ISBN: None (pre-ISBN era)
• Original Price: 25¢
• Condition: Very Good — full report below

THE STORIES

14 stories drawn from the best of three hardcover annuals published by Frederick Fell, Inc.:

• “Oddy and Id” — Alfred Bester (p. 1)
• “Process” — A.E. van Vogt (p. 15)
• “The Star Ducks” — Bill Brown (p. 21)
• “To Serve Man” — Damon Knight (p. 29)
• “The Fox in the Forest” — Ray Bradbury (p. 37)
• “Nine-Finger Jack” — Anthony Boucher & Fredric Brown (p. 51)
• “Dark Interlude” — Mack Reynolds (p. 56)
• “Generation of Noah” — William Tenn (p. 63)
• “The Rats” — Arthur Porges (p. 74)
• “Ararat” — Zenna Henderson (p. 83)
• “The Moon Is Green” — Fritz Leiber (p. 105)
• “Survival” — John Wyndham (p. 120)
• “Machine” — John W. Jakes (p. 144)
• “Nothing” — Eric Frank Russell (p. 149)

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Bleiler and Dikty launched the first year’s-best SF anthology series in 1949, predating both Wollheim’s and Greenberg’s best-of-year series. This Bantam digest selects the strongest pieces from the 1951–1953 volumes. Damon Knight’s “To Serve Man” became one of the most famous twist-ending stories in the genre, adapted as a classic The Twilight Zone episode (1962). Alfred Bester’s “Oddy and Id” predates his Hugo-winning The Demolished Man by two years.

COVER ART

Classic 1950s pulp-style illustration: a sleek silver rocket ship blasting past a multicolored planet against a deep green-black starfield. All 15 contributing authors listed on the cover. Bantam rooster logo and original 25¢ price intact. Black spine with white lettering and catalog number 1328.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Contains “To Serve Man” — one of the most adapted SF short stories in TV history
• Stories by Bradbury, Bester, Leiber, and Wyndham — four Hall of Fame inductees
• Early Bantam #1328 in the collectible 25¢ era of mass-market paperbacks
• Represents the pioneering Bleiler-Dikty annual series

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What edition is this? First Bantam Books edition (catalog #1328), April 1955 printing.

What condition is it in? Very Good — full condition report below.

Does it include “To Serve Man”? Yes — Damon Knight’s famous story appears on page 29.

FOR COLLECTORS

First Bantam editions from the 25¢ era (catalog numbers in the 1000–1500 range) are increasingly sought after. This copy has vibrant cover art and minimal wear. The red publisher-applied edge staining along the top is a distinctive Bantam design feature from this period.

Condition Report

Overall Grade: Very Good (VG)

Cover & Spine: High-gloss covers with rich, deep colors and minor rubbing to extremities. Spine is square and flat with minimal wear at the head and tail. Diagonal crease on front cover upper corner.

Text Block & Pages: Red edge stain applied by the publisher, fairly uniform, somewhat sunned along top. Pages exhibit tanning on edges, but still supple and easy to read.

Binding: Tight, square, and secure, no loose, torn or folded pages.

See accompanying images for full condition details.

Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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