Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Pan/Ballantine editions of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series

[Updated 4/2/18, 5/17/18, 7/25/18, 8/4/18, and 2/27/21] While Ballantine Books of New York published some seventy-ish titles in the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series of 1969-74, the British counterpart published only thirty-five of the titles.  The Pan/Ballantine Adult Fantasy series ran from 1971-1974.

Through a number of sources ranging from British Books in Print, Whitaker’s, and Books and Bookmen, to fanzine reviews and advertisements, I’ve come up with a complete list, and give it below in two formats, first chronologically, and second alphabetically by author. Pan/Ballantine editions did not usually state their publication month, so outside sources were vital to making the chronology.

For 1971, the first year of the association between Pan Books of London and Ballantine Books of New York, it was clearly a time of figuring out the details of the cooperative operation.  Ballantine opened a London office at 8 King Street, London, WC2.  This address is listed on the copyright page of the first books, with a notice of “UK Distributor: Pan Books Ltd.”  By March 1972, the Pan/Ballantine imprint was run out of Pan Book’s existing offices at 33 Tothill Street, London, S.W.1.

Most of the Pan/Ballantine editions (particularly after December 1971) were printed in the United Kingdom, but some early titles were printed in the U.S. and a few were printed in Canada for distribution in the U.K. One example printed in the U.S. is William Beckford’s Vathek (U.S. printing June 1971). Both the U.S. Printing and the separate Canadian printing of Vathek have Commonwealth prices on the rear cover. 

One example of copies printed in Canada for U.K. distribution is The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. Note the Commonwealth prices on the rear cover, and the unicorn masthead on both the front and rear covers.

The Pan logo first appears on the base of the spine with the May 1972 releases (both by Evangeline Walton), and thereafter became a fixture. 

Some titles listed here may be considered by some as not being officially a part of the U.S. Ballantine Adult Fantasy series, like the Beagle, Lindsay and Eddison volumes, for they preceded the series proper, though some later U.S. printings (as well as the U.K. ones) have the unicorn masthead on the covers. 

I am currently missing information on the later printings of Morris’s The Well at the World’s End, Volume I and Volume II.  I suspect these printings will have only the New York Ballantine imprint on the title page, and details on the copyright pages consistent with some of the other 1971 U.K. BAF editions. If any reader of this blog can supply scans of the covers, title and copyright pages of any of these UK editions, I’ll be grateful. Contact me at nodens100 at gmail dot com  

Last, I’d like to thank Andy Higgins, Trevor Livelton, Thos. Kent Miller, Dale Nelson, Jon Preece,  Grant Thiessen (of BookIT Inc, formerly Pandora’s Books), Richard Toogood, Richard C. West, and Scott Carlson for help in sorting out these editions.  

Chronology

March 1971

Carter, Lin, ed. Dragons, Elves and Heroes. Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “Printed in the United Kingdom by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page.  Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London W.C.2” with “UK Distributor: Pan Books, Ltd.”

Carter, Lin, ed. The Young Magicians. Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “Printed in the United Kingdom by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page. Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London W.C.2” with “UK Distributor: Pan Books, Ltd.”

Morris, William. The Well at the World’s End Volume I. Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “First United Kingdom Printing: March, 1971” and “Printed in the United Kingdom by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page. Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London W.C.2” with “UK Distributor: Pan Books, Ltd.”  A second printing happened in 1972 [not seen] and a third printing in 1974 [not seen]

Morris, William. The Well at the World’s End Volume II. Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “First United Kingdom Printing: March 1971” and “Printed in the United Kingdom by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page. Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London W.C.2” with “UK Distributor: Pan Books, Ltd” A second printing happened in 1972 [not seen] and a third printing in 1974 [not seen]


May 1971

Dunsany, Lord.  At the Edge of the World.  Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “Printed in Canada” on copyright page, which gives Ballantine’s New York address.  Commonwealth prices (no entry for Canada) are printed on the rear cover.
 Dunsany, Lord. The King of Elfland’s Daughter.  Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “Printed in Canada” on copyright page, which gives Ballantine’s New York address.  Commonwealth prices (including Canadian price) are printed on a white slip pasted to the lower right of the rear cover.

June 4th 1971
Beckford, William. Vathek.  Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “Printed in the United State of America” on copyright page, which gives Ballantine’s New York address.  Commonwealth prices (no entry for Canada) are printed on the rear cover. The Canadian printing, with “Printed in Canada” on copyright stage, also with Commonwealth prices (no entry for Canada) printed on the rear cover.

Eddison, E.R. The Worm Ouroboros. Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “Printed in Canada” on copyright page.  “Cover printed in Canada” on rear cover. Commonwealth prices (U.K. 40p, no entry for Canada) are printed on the rear cover. The copyright page lists the Fifth Printing: August, 1970 as the latest printing, but this is clearly an unacknowledged Canadian printing made for distribution in the U.K. “Pan” as publisher, and the 1971 date of first U.K. publication, do not appear anywhere on the book. A second printing happened in 1972 (0-345-09740-8), printed in England with a price of 50p.  A “3rd printing 1973” (0-330- 23841-8) also had a price of 50p.  A “4th printing 1975” (same ISBN) raised the price to 75p.

Eddison, E.R. Mistress of Mistresses. Ballantine Books, New York on title page. “Printed in Canada” on copyright page.  “Cover printed in Canada” on rear cover. Commonwealth prices (no entry for Canada) are printed on the rear cover. The copyright page lists the Third Printing: May, 1968 as the latest printing, but this is clearly an unacknowledged Canadian printing made for distribution in the U.K. “Pan” as publisher, and the 1971 date of first U.K. publication, do not appear anywhere on the book. 

August 1971

Morris, William. The Wood Beyond the World. Ballantine Books Ltd., London and New York on title page. “First U.K. Printing: August, 1971” and “Printed in the United Kingdom” on copyright page. Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London WC2E 8HS” with “Distribution: Pan Books, Ltd.” Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

September 1971

Beagle, Peter S.  The Last Unicorn. Ballantine Books Ltd., London and New York on title page. “First U.K. Printing: September, 1971” and “Printed in Canada” on copyright page. Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London WC2E 8HS” with “Distributor: Pan Books, Ltd.” Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

December 1971

MacDonald, George.  Lilith. Ballantine Books, Limited, London and New York on title page. “First U.K. Printing: December, 1971” and “Printed in Canada” on copyright page. Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London WC2E 8HS” with “Sales and Distribution: Pan Books, Ltd. 33 Tothill Street, London S.W. 1” Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

MacDonald, George.  Phantastes. Ballantine Books, Limited, London and New York on title page. “First U.K. Printing: December, 1971” and “Printed in Canada” on copyright page. Copyright page gives Ballantine address as “8 King Street, London WC2E 8 HS” with “Sales and Distribution: Pan Books, Ltd. 33 Tothill Street, London S.W. 1” Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

March 10th 1972
Lindsay, David.  A Voyage to Arcturus. “Pan/Ballantine, 33 Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover. A second printing came out in 1974.

Morris, William. The Water of the Wondrous Isles. “Pan/Ballantine, 33 Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

April 7th 1972

Cabell, James Branch.  The Cream of the Jest. “Pan/Ballantine, 33 Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

Mirrlees, Hope.  Lud-in-the-Mist. “Pan/Ballantine, 33 Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

May 1972
 Walton. The Island of the Mighty. “Pan/Ballantine, 33, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover. Note the Pan logo on the base of the spine first appears on these May 1972 releases.

Walton. The Children of Llyr. “Pan/Ballantine, 33, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

July 1972

Eddison, E.R. A Fish Dinner in Memison. “Pan/Ballantine, 33, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

Eddison, E.R. The Mezentian Gate. “Pan/Ballantine, 33, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

August 1972

Dunsany, Lord. Beyond the Fields We Know. “Pan/Ballantine, 33 Tothill Street, London, SW1” on title page. “Made and Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.
Dunsany, Lord. Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley. “Pan/Ballantine, 33 Tothill Street, London, SW1” on title page. “Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

November 1972

Haggard, H. Rider and Andrew Lang. The World’s Desire. “Pan/Ballantine, 33 Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

MacDonald, George.  Evenor. “Pan/Ballantine, 33, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1” on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

January 1973

Kurtz, Katherine. Deryni Rising. “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Printed by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

Kurtz, Katherine.  Deryni Checkmate. “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Printed by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

March 1973

Bok, Hannes. Beyond the Golden Stair.  “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Printed in Great Britain by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

Bok, Hannes. The Sorcerer’s Ship. “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Printed in Great Britain by Cox & Wyman” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

June 1973

Hodgson, William Hope. The Night Land Volume I. “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

Hodgson, William Hope. The Night Land Volume II. “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

September 1973 [probably]

Ariosto, translated by Richard Hodgens. Orlando Furioso Volume I: The Ring of Angelica. “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

December 7th 1973

Walton, Evangeline. The Song of Rhiannon.  “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Made and printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

February 1974

Carter, Lin, ed.  Discoveries in Fantasy.  “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover.

Hyne, C.J. Cutliffe [sic, for Cutcliffe]. The Lost Continent. “Pan/Ballantine” (no address) on title page. “Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay” on copyright page.  Commonwealth prices (“Not for sale in Canada”) are printed on the rear cover. A second printing came out in 1974.



Alphabetically, by author:

Ariosto, translated by Richard Hodgens. Orlando Furioso Volume I: The Ring of
            Angelica. [c. September 1973]
Beagle, Peter S.  The Last Unicorn. [September 1971]
Beckford, William. Vathek. [June 1971]
Bok, Hannes. Beyond the Golden Stair. [March 1973]
Bok, Hannes. The Sorcerer’s Ship. [March 1973]
Cabell, James Branch.  The Cream of the Jest. [April 1972]
Carter, Lin, ed.  Discoveries in Fantasy. [February 1974]
Carter, Lin, ed. Dragons, Elves and Heroes. [March 1971]
Carter, Lin, ed. The Young Magicians. [March 1971]
Dunsany, Lord.  At the Edge of the World. [May 1971]
Dunsany, Lord. Beyond the Fields We Know. [August 1972]
Dunsany, Lord. Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley. [August 1972]
Dunsany, Lord. The King of Elfland’s Daughter. [May 1971] 
Eddison, E.R. A Fish Dinner in Memison. [July 1972]
Eddison, E.R. The Mezentian Gate. [July 1972] 
Eddison, E.R. Mistress of Mistresses. [June 1971]
Eddison, E.R. The Worm Ouroboros. [June 1971]
Haggard, H. Rider and Andrew Lang. The World’s Desire. [November 1972]
Hodgson, William Hope. The Night Land Volume I. [June 1973]
Hodgson, William Hope. The Night Land Volume II. [June 1973]
Hyne, C.J. Cutliffe [sic, for Cutcliffe]. The Lost Continent. [February 1974]
Kurtz, Katherine.  Deryni Checkmate  [January 1973]
Kurtz, Katherine. Deryni Rising  [January 1973]
Lindsay, David.  A Voyage to Arcturus. [March 1972]
MacDonald, George.  Evenor. [November 1972]
MacDonald, George.  Lilith. [December 1971]
MacDonald, George.  Phantastes. [December 1971]
Mirrlees, Hope.  Lud-in-the-Mist. [April 1972]
Morris, William. The Water of the Wondrous Isles. [March 1972]
Morris, William. The Well at the World’s End Volume I. [March 1971]
Morris, William. The Well at the World’s End Volume II. [March 1971]
Morris, William. The Wood Beyond the World. [August 1971]
Walton. The Children of Llyr. [May 1972]
Walton. The Island of the Mighty. [May 1972]
Walton, Evangeline. The Song of Rhiannon. [December 1973]

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

James Branch Cabell in the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series

Updated twice (3.22.18): Six volumes of writings by James Branch Cabell (1879-1958) appeared in the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series, published in the U.S. from 1969 through 1974.  They are, in sequence:
The Silver Stallion [originally published in 1926]
First U.S. Printing: August 1969 [Cover by Bob Pepper; Intro by Lin Carter]
Figures of Earth [originally published in 1921]
First U.S. Printing: November 1969 [Cover by Robert Pepper; Intro by Lin Carter]
The High Place [originally published in 1923]
First U.S. Printing: February 1970 [Cover by Frank C. Pape, illuminated by Donna
    Violetti; Intro by Lin Carter]
Something About Eve [originally published in 1927]
First Printing: March 1971 [Cover by Bob Pepper; Intro by Lin Carter]
 The Cream of the Jest [originally published in 1917]
First Printing: September 1971 [Cover by Brian Froud; Intro by Lin Carter]
Domnei  [originally published in 1920, including The Music from Behind the Moon, 1926]
First Printing: March 1972 [Cover by Brian Froude [sic]; Intro by Lin Carter]

Five of the six Cabell titles had Canadian printings in the 1970-72 era. The Canadian printings are undated, but details for a few titles are known: the second, Figures of Earth (printed in Canada in April 1970, five months after the U.S. printing in November 1969) and the sixth, Domnei (printed in Canada in April 1972, one month after the U.S. printing in March 1972). Other Canadian printings observed include The High Place, Something About Eve, and The Cream of the Jest.  The only Cabell title without a confirmed early Canadian printing is the first, The Silver Stallion. All six Cabell titles were reprinted in the U.S. by Ballantine / Del Rey in 1979.  These 1979 reprints were also issued in Canadian printings. The Canadian printings for both the 1970-72 era and 1979 reprints are distinguishable from the U.S. ones only by a "Printed in Canada" slug replacing the "Printed in the United States" on the copyright page.
Only one of the six had a U.K. Pan/Ballantine edition, and that was The Cream of the Jest (published by Pan/Ballantine on 7th April 1972, seven months after the U.S. printing). (Notice the Commonwealth prices added to the lower rear cover, as depicted above.)  Why was only one BAF Cabell published in the U.K.?  Probably because Tandem got to them first, for they released three Cabell mass market paperbacks in the U.K. in April 1971, all having introductions by James Blish.The three titles were The Silver Stallion, Figures of Earth, and Jurgen. 
 
Why didn't Jurgen, Cabell's most famous and arguably his best book, appear in the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series?  Probably because it was already in print in the U.S., by Avon, first printed in 1965 and in its third printing in 1967.
 
Note: The scans in this blog post have been shamelessly lifted (thanks Bill, thanks John) from The Silver Stallion: The James Branch Cabell Website, which is a fine site I recommend visiting and bookmarking. 
      And a thanks to Trevor Livelton for the information on Canadian printings.