AE Monthly

Article Archives Search

AE Reviews


Vintage Paperbacks From Black Ace Books Vintage paperbacks from Black Ace Books By Michael Stillman This month we review not only the catalogue of a new bookseller, but a new type of catalogue as well. Black Ace Books of Los Angeles specializes in paperbacks. Paperbacks are the stepchildren of the book world. They inhabit a back alley world of shame and degradation, along with such depraved institutions as television. You would not want to be in the company of one. You would certainly not place one on your bookshelves. No, paperbacks are not to be collected like good books. They are to be read in the dark of night when no one is looking. Then something happens. Television may be disreputable, but old shows become classics. Old advertising, thoroughly insipid if not downright offensive in its day, becomes collectible. Perhaps it's camp, or aging people trying to hold onto their youth. Maybe it's just a simple recognition that great literature is the exception, the aberration of our culture, whereas the paperback represents its heartland. This material did not win many awards. It was not taught in school. But, for better or worse, it was read. The nice thing about paperbacks, even old ones like these, is they are still priced to be read. You can affordably purchase them just for the joy, or whatever, of reading them. However, if you are looking for a genre to collect, and your budget does not permit collecting "collectible" books, you can still get in on the ground floor with paperbacks. There's nothing in this catalogue over $40, and that's the rare exception. There are only half a dozen titles over $20, and that's out of hundreds available. And if that's not enough, Black Ace provides substantial discounts for buying multiple titles, from 10% for two up to 40% off for 25. The customs for collecting paperbacks are somewhat different from those of hardbacks. Usually you will find hardbacks listed by subject, author, or perhaps time period. Black Ace's catalogue is listed by publisher. Bantam, Ballantine, Pocket, Dell and many more, both familiar and obscure. Ironically, it's the way books of the highest quality of printers, such as the Limited Editions Club, are listed. Descriptions are sparse by comparison. Generally, the title itself explains what the book is about. There are no thorough descriptions and histories gathered from important bibliographies in this field. If the bookseller does not read each of these titles and provide a complete description, they can be forgiven. What do you want for a book that sells for $10? And you won't find much more information beyond author and title on the internet either. If a title intrigues, you will just have to read the book yourself.
Vintage Paperbacks From Black Ace Books Just a few of the Most books tend to fit within certain popular fields, mystery, romance, science fiction which is more fiction than science, and, of course, "adult." Some are tie-ins to movies or television shows. Adventure books such as war stories and westerns were popular, probably among men, who, I suspect, and this is just a guess, were the minority of these readers. As to whether that means men read more weighty books, or don't read at all, you can be the judge. Here are a few samples of the titles Black Ace has to offer, and where available, a brief description. The Abominable Earthman is a collection of short stories by Frederick Pohl. You not only get the title piece in this collection, but other classics such as "We Never Mention Aunt Nora," and "The Martian Star-Gazers." $9. If you want to know what Cabbagetown is about, you'll have to buy the book as I haven't a clue. Cabbagetown is a section of Toronto, but I do not know whether there is a connection between this book and the neighborhood where people of limited means once grew vegetables on their lawns. $10. The book Nurse or Woman leads me to the question: can't she be both? $8. Here's an odd combination: Shaft Among the Jews. What was he doing there? Shaft, of course, was the Black investigator, lead character of the best known of the "Blaxploitation" films of the 1970s. In this book, Shaft is hired by a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews to investigate the goings-on in the diamond trade. Sadly, this Shaft tale never made it to the big screen. But, you see this cat Shaft is still a bad mother...(shut your mouth). And so, undoubtedly, is Ernest Tidyman's book. $8. Here's a book that traditional book collectors will appreciate: Judgement on Janus. Notice the spelling "judgement." This Ace version of Andre Norton's first novel about life on the planet Janus uses the incorrect (or at least not preferred) spelling of the word. However, other editions have it "judgment." For those who love variants, here's a paperback variant, and it costs only $10. Looking for a topic to collect within paperbacks? How about those derived from television series? There's Charlie's Angels #3: Angels on a String. $9. Going back further, there's Sergeant Bilko, with Phil Silver's face on the cover. $11. And there's Kojak in San Francisco. $9. Or Happy Days #3: The Invaders. $9. Or Welcome Back, Kotter #4: Sweathogs. $10. Or Dragnet: The Case of the Crime King. It has Jack "Joe Friday" Webb's picture on the cover. $12.50. Of course if you prefer movies, there's the classic Gidget Goes Hawaiian. $10.
Vintage Paperbacks From Black Ace Books none For those interested in teen idols, there is Elvis: What Happened by Red West, Sonny West, and Dave Hebler. This is something of a tell-all from some of Elvis' close friends and confidents after his passing. $10. Alternatively, you can purchase the James Dean Story. $10. If bullets are your topic of interest, how about A Bullet for Cinderella? Her stepsisters would have found that appropriate. Actually, this one was written by famed mystery writer John D. MacDonald. $10. Not quite as famous is Howard Schoenfeld and his crime book Let Them Eat Bullets, but he too has a following. $8. Now for real mystery lovers, there's Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here. No, this book/film is not a murder mystery, but the subject whose photo is on the cover is part of one. You see, in the movie, the part of Willie Boy was played by Robert Blake, now accused of murder in real life. $10. From the "adult" section comes the intriguing Sex on Horseback. That sounds difficult. $10. Or how about Fruit of the Loon? This masterpiece is described as a "gay sleaze classic." $20. Then there's Grip of Lust. Black Ace describes the cover as "tiny naked women grope a giant hairy arm." Great literature comes with great cover art. $10. Here's a title I don't quite understand: The Man With The Lumpy Nose. Black Ace describes it as "has wear and creases. Not really that bad." However, I think they're describing the book's condition, not the lumpy nose. $8. And yes, there are signed editions in the paperback field too. Corpus Earthling comes with the signature of author Louis Charbonneau. Don't expect a signed edition to come so cheaply. This one will set you back $12. Black Ace Books has a website at www.blackace.net and they may be reached by phone at 323-661-5052.

Vintage Paperbacks From Black Ace Books

Vintage paperbacks from Black Ace Books

By Michael Stillman

This month we review not only the catalogue of a new bookseller, but a new type of catalogue as well. Black Ace Books of Los Angeles specializes in paperbacks. Paperbacks are the stepchildren of the book world. They inhabit a back alley world of shame and degradation, along with such depraved institutions as television. You would not want to be in the company of one. You would certainly not place one on your bookshelves. No, paperbacks are not to be collected like good books. They are to be read in the dark of night when no one is looking.

Then something happens. Television may be disreputable, but old shows become classics. Old advertising, thoroughly insipid if not downright offensive in its day, becomes collectible. Perhaps it's camp, or aging people trying to hold onto their youth. Maybe it's just a simple recognition that great literature is the exception, the aberration of our culture, whereas the paperback represents its heartland. This material did not win many awards. It was not taught in school. But, for better or worse, it was read.

The nice thing about paperbacks, even old ones like these, is they are still priced to be read. You can affordably purchase them just for the joy, or whatever, of reading them. However, if you are looking for a genre to collect, and your budget does not permit collecting "collectible" books, you can still get in on the ground floor with paperbacks. There's nothing in this catalogue over $40, and that's the rare exception. There are only half a dozen titles over $20, and that's out of hundreds available. And if that's not enough, Black Ace provides substantial discounts for buying multiple titles, from 10% for two up to 40% off for 25.

The customs for collecting paperbacks are somewhat different from those of hardbacks. Usually you will find hardbacks listed by subject, author, or perhaps time period. Black Ace's catalogue is listed by publisher. Bantam, Ballantine, Pocket, Dell and many more, both familiar and obscure. Ironically, it's the way books of the highest quality of printers, such as the Limited Editions Club, are listed. Descriptions are sparse by comparison. Generally, the title itself explains what the book is about. There are no thorough descriptions and histories gathered from important bibliographies in this field. If the bookseller does not read each of these titles and provide a complete description, they can be forgiven. What do you want for a book that sells for $10? And you won't find much more information beyond author and title on the internet either. If a title intrigues, you will just have to read the book yourself.

Vintage Paperbacks From Black Ace Books

Just a few of the

Most books tend to fit within certain popular fields, mystery, romance, science fiction which is more fiction than science, and, of course, "adult." Some are tie-ins to movies or television shows. Adventure books such as war stories and westerns were popular, probably among men, who, I suspect, and this is just a guess, were the minority of these readers. As to whether that means men read more weighty books, or don't read at all, you can be the judge. Here are a few samples of the titles Black Ace has to offer, and where available, a brief description.

The Abominable Earthman is a collection of short stories by Frederick Pohl. You not only get the title piece in this collection, but other classics such as "We Never Mention Aunt Nora," and "The Martian Star-Gazers." $9. If you want to know what Cabbagetown is about, you'll have to buy the book as I haven't a clue. Cabbagetown is a section of Toronto, but I do not know whether there is a connection between this book and the neighborhood where people of limited means once grew vegetables on their lawns. $10.

The book Nurse or Woman leads me to the question: can't she be both? $8. Here's an odd combination: Shaft Among the Jews. What was he doing there? Shaft, of course, was the Black investigator, lead character of the best known of the "Blaxploitation" films of the 1970s. In this book, Shaft is hired by a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews to investigate the goings-on in the diamond trade. Sadly, this Shaft tale never made it to the big screen. But, you see this cat Shaft is still a bad mother...(shut your mouth). And so, undoubtedly, is Ernest Tidyman's book. $8.

Here's a book that traditional book collectors will appreciate: Judgement on Janus. Notice the spelling "judgement." This Ace version of Andre Norton's first novel about life on the planet Janus uses the incorrect (or at least not preferred) spelling of the word. However, other editions have it "judgment." For those who love variants, here's a paperback variant, and it costs only $10.

Looking for a topic to collect within paperbacks? How about those derived from television series? There's Charlie's Angels #3: Angels on a String. $9. Going back further, there's Sergeant Bilko, with Phil Silver's face on the cover. $11. And there's Kojak in San Francisco. $9. Or Happy Days #3: The Invaders. $9. Or Welcome Back, Kotter #4: Sweathogs. $10. Or Dragnet: The Case of the Crime King. It has Jack "Joe Friday" Webb's picture on the cover. $12.50. Of course if you prefer movies, there's the classic Gidget Goes Hawaiian. $10.

Vintage Paperbacks From Black Ace Books

none

For those interested in teen idols, there is Elvis: What Happened by Red West, Sonny West, and Dave Hebler. This is something of a tell-all from some of Elvis' close friends and confidents after his passing. $10. Alternatively, you can purchase the James Dean Story. $10.

If bullets are your topic of interest, how about A Bullet for Cinderella? Her stepsisters would have found that appropriate. Actually, this one was written by famed mystery writer John D. MacDonald. $10. Not quite as famous is Howard Schoenfeld and his crime book Let Them Eat Bullets, but he too has a following. $8. Now for real mystery lovers, there's Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here. No, this book/film is not a murder mystery, but the subject whose photo is on the cover is part of one. You see, in the movie, the part of Willie Boy was played by Robert Blake, now accused of murder in real life. $10.

From the "adult" section comes the intriguing Sex on Horseback. That sounds difficult. $10. Or how about Fruit of the Loon? This masterpiece is described as a "gay sleaze classic." $20. Then there's Grip of Lust. Black Ace describes the cover as "tiny naked women grope a giant hairy arm." Great literature comes with great cover art. $10.

Here's a title I don't quite understand: The Man With The Lumpy Nose. Black Ace describes it as "has wear and creases. Not really that bad." However, I think they're describing the book's condition, not the lumpy nose. $8.

And yes, there are signed editions in the paperback field too. Corpus Earthling comes with the signature of author Louis Charbonneau. Don't expect a signed edition to come so cheaply. This one will set you back $12.

Black Ace Books has a website at www.blackace.net and they may be reached by phone at 323-661-5052.