Amazing Stories Dec 1948 – Richard S. Shaver

📖 Amazing Stories, Volume 22, Number 12 (December 1948) — The final issue of 1948 from Ziff-Davis, featuring Richard S. Shaver’s novelette “Daughter of the Night” and the conclusion of Howard Browne’s serial “The Return of Tharn.” Cover art by H. W. McCauley. A complete, all-stories-present copy of this post-war golden-age pulp.

QUICK FACTS

• Publisher: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, Chicago
• Editor: Raymond A. Palmer | Managing Editor: William L. Hamling
• Year: 1948 (December) — Volume 22, Number 12
• Format: Pulp magazine, staple-bound, 158 pages
• Price on cover: 25¢ | ISBN: None (pre-ISBN era)
• Condition: Good+ to Very Good- (G+/VG-) — full report below

THIS ISSUE

Published in December 1948, this issue appeared during the final months of the “Shaver Mystery” era in Amazing Stories. Richard S. Shaver’s controversial claims about ancient subterranean civilizations had dominated the magazine since 1945, sparking one of the most unusual episodes in science fiction publishing history. By late 1948, the Shaver Mystery was winding down, making this one of the last issues to feature a Shaver lead story.

The issue also marks a transitional moment for the magazine. Raymond A. Palmer, who had edited Amazing Stories since 1938 and championed the Shaver Mystery, would depart later that same year. The “Alexander Blade” credit for “The Plotters” is a Ziff-Davis house pseudonym — shared by several authors including Howard Browne, David Wright O’Brien, and William P. McGivern.

COMPLETE TABLE OF CONTENTS

All Stories Complete:

• “Daughter of the Night” by Richard S. Shaver — Novelette (~10,000 words), illustrated by Malcolm Smith
• “The Plotters” by Alexander Blade — Short story (~4,000 words), illustrated by Malcolm Smith, p. 30
• “Tillie” by Craig Browning — Short story (5,800 words), illustrated by Julian Krupe, p. 42
• “Once Upon a Planet” by J. J. Allerton — Short story (6,000 words), illustrated by Malcolm Smith, p. 54
• “The Unthinking Destroyer” by Rog Phillips — Short story (3,800 words), illustrated by Bill Terry, p. 66
• “Beyond the Thunder” by H. B. Hickey — Novelette (10,500 words), illustrated by Henry Thiede, p. 74
• “The Return of Tharn” by Howard Browne — 3-Part Serial, Conclusion, illustrated by J. Allen St. John, p. 96

Features: “The Observatory” (editorial), plus departments by Hilary Cowen, H. R. Stanton, Carter T. Wainwright, Frances Yerxa, Sandy Miller, Jon Barry, A. Morris, William Karney, June Lurie, Fran Ferris, L. Taylor Hansen, Kay Bennett, Bruce D. Kelly (crossword), Pete Bogg, J. R. Marks, and L. A. Burt.

COVER ART & ILLUSTRATIONS

The cover painting by H. W. McCauley depicts a dramatic close-up of a supernatural female face with glowing yellow eyes and purple-green skin tones, illustrating a scene from “Daughter of the Night.” The red “AMAZING STORIES” masthead in bold sans-serif lettering crowns the composition against a dark background. McCauley’s work captures the eerie, otherworldly quality central to Shaver’s storytelling.

Interior illustrations are by Malcolm Smith (three stories), Julian Krupe, Bill Terry, and Henry Thiede. Most notably, “The Return of Tharn” is illustrated by J. Allen St. John (1872-1957), the legendary fantasy artist best known for illustrating over half of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan and John Carter books. St. John’s dramatic sword-and-sorcery style brings Howard Browne’s serial conclusion to vivid life across illustrated spreads.

WHY IT MATTERS

• One of the final issues featuring Richard S. Shaver’s work, as the “Shaver Mystery” era at Amazing Stories concluded in 1948
• Illustrated by J. Allen St. John, the defining visual voice of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ worlds and one of the most important fantasy illustrators of the 20th century
• The December 1948 issue marks a transitional moment — editor Raymond A. Palmer departed Ziff-Davis later that year, reshaping the publication’s direction
• The “Alexander Blade” credit is a Ziff-Davis house pseudonym, a window into the prolific production practices of mid-century pulp publishing

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What issue is this? Amazing Stories, Volume 22, Number 12, December 1948. All stories are complete. “The Return of Tharn” is the final installment of a 3-part serial.

What condition is it in? Good+ to Very Good- — vibrant cover colors with typical pulp edge chipping, tight staple binding, age-toned but supple and clean pages. Full report below.

Is the Shaver Mystery content controversial? Yes — Richard S. Shaver’s stories were based on his claims of real encounters with ancient subterranean civilizations. Editor Raymond A. Palmer promoted these as factual, creating a publishing phenomenon that drew thousands of reader letters and remains one of the most debated episodes in science fiction history.

FOR COLLECTORS

This copy features the original 25¢ pricing on the cover and complete, intact staple binding. The Shaver Mystery connection makes this a sought-after issue for pulp collectors, while the J. Allen St. John illustrations for “The Return of Tharn” add crossover appeal for Edgar Rice Burroughs collectors. The back cover carries a Ziff-Davis house advertisement for the companion publication Fantastic Adventures.

Condition Report

Overall Grade: Good + to Very Good- (G+/VG-)

Cover & Spine: Vibrant cover colors remain sharp with typical bedsheet pulp chipping to covers outer and lower edges. The spine is intact with chipping at the tail, but text remains clearly legible. Back cover is remarkably bright with just some minimal surface wear in a few places.

Dust Jacket: None (as issued).

Text Block & Pages: Lightly age-toned text block; pages remain uniform, supple, and clean without brittle edges.

Binding: Staple-bound pulp binding is tight, square, and secure.

See accompanying images for full condition details. Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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