Following on from the phenomenal science fiction landmark that was Dune, Frank Herbert released multiple other books in the series, and we are lucky enough to have the next two instalments in early impressions of first editions.
Dune Messiah is the second book in the Dune series and was originally published in 1969. However, before it was released as a novel, Dune Messiah appeared as a shorter version in Galaxy Magazine from July through to September in the same year. By the end of 1969, it was published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. The copy for sale is a second impression with the original dust wrapper. There is a photo of Herbert on the back and the wrapper painting is credited to Jack Gaughan.
There is also a small biography on the back, inside flap of the dust-wrapper, which gives an insight into how Herbert’s career was received at the time: ‘Frank Herbert, a West Coast newspaperman, has been writing science fiction for more than twenty years; his first novel, Dragon in the Sea, is still in print here [United States] and abroad. His work has drawn on his studies of Oriental religion and undersea geology; he has also been a professional photographer, TV cameraman, radio news commentator, lay analyst, and oyster diver. Mr. Herbert is married and lives in San Francisco.’
Seven years later, Children of Dune was released. Published in 1967, our copy is another second impression of the first edition, still with its original dust-wrapper. It is described as the ‘long-awaited final segment of Dune trilogy’: Herbert did go on to write subsequent books in the Dune universe, but this copy shows how the book was framed at the time. Even the description of Herbert in the back of the dust-wrapper has changed dramatically: ‘Frank Herbert, best known for his epic science fiction novel Dune, has more than twenty books to his credit. He lives with his family in Washington State where he has turned six acres into an Ecological Demonstration Project, showing that a high quality of life can be maintained with a minimal drain on the total energy system.’
The dramatic shift in how Herbert is described as a writer, his lengthened list of published books, and the slightly aged photo of him on the back cover, wonderfully epitomises the growth of this series, and its writer, over the 1960s and 70s. The excellent condition of both the books are testament to Dune’s staying power as a cult classic, as there is only some slight wear to each dust-wrapper (underneath the plastic) and some minor foxing to each book.
These copies are a fantastic edition to any well-loved set of Dune books, or are ready for a newly welcomed fan from the success of the film duology to add to their collection. And with the adaptation of Dune Messiah coming soon, why not snag a first edition of the original book before prices rise even more?
Dune Messiah is being sold for £750 and Children of Dune is being sold for £400. They can be sold individually or as a pair. We have a small selection of other sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books so please contact us if that is something that you are interested in.
If you are interested in purchasing these items, or would like more information on other books we sell, then please get in contact with us by calling us on 01753 855534, emailing us at sales@mainlybooks.co.uk, or come visit us in store in Eton! Please refer to our Contact Us page for more information on how to reach us.
