Gnome Press

Gnome Press was an American small-press publishing company primarily known for publishing many science fiction classics.

The company was founded in 1948 by Martin Greenberg and David A. Kyle. Many of Gnome's titles were reprinted in England by Boardman Books. Martin Greenberg of Gnome Press was a New York science fiction fan and member of the Hydra Club, not to be confused with the later Martin H. Greenberg the SF anthologist. David A. Kyle was another New York based science fiction fan, a Futurian as well as a member of the Hydra Club. The address was Gnome Press, Inc., 80 E. 11th St. New York 3, N.Y.

Gnome was the first to publish Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, and brought Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian stories back from pulp obscurity. It also published many of Robert A. Heinlein's classics, and the beloved Children of the Atom by Wilmar Shiras, a novel that is considered to be one of the most influential SF books of the century. Noted science fiction writer Andre Norton worked as a reader for Gnome Press for "about three years in the Fifties" as she recalled later, and began writing the "Star Trader" series during her time with Gnome.

Gnome featured the work of many noted science fiction artists as well as authors. Those who contributed illustrative material for Gnome editions, including cover art, illustrations, maps and designs, included Ric Binkley, Hannes Bok, Chesley Bonestell, Edd Cartier, Lionel Dillon, Frances E. Dunn, Ed Emshwiller, Frank Kelly Freas, James Gibson, Harry Harrison, Mel Hunter, David Kyle, Stan Mack, Murray Tinkelman, L. Robert Tschirky, Walter I. Van der Poel, Jr., and Wallace Wood.

Gnome Press did not have much capital or access to distribution facilities. The company was notorious for not paying their writers royalties due. Asimov claimed he was never paid for the publication of the Foundation books, and called Greenberg "an outright crook". Asimov and other authors were able eventually to repossess the rights to their publications, and the company failed during 1962.

Gnome Press publications are collected, and many of the books in well used condition can be inexpensively obtained (as of 2009 Amazon was offering several in the $3–$20 range). Other items are expensive. The calendars are particularly scarce. Among the books I, Robot, either in the Armed Forces paperback edition, or in the hardcover set from its plates, is in particular demand.

Read more about Gnome Press:  Works Published By Gnome Press

Famous quotes containing the word press:

    Be sure then to read no mean books. Shun the spawn of the press on the gossip of the hour. Do not read what you shall learn, without asking, in the street and the train.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)