American Science Fiction was born with the first issue of Hugo Gernsback's AMAZING STORIES in 1926. Science fiction had appeared in other magazines for a number of years prior to that, but AMAZING was the first magazine devoted exclusively to science fiction.
It was a big success, and was followed shortly thereafter by WONDER STORIES, also by Gernsback, and by ASTOUNDING STORIES. Many people date the real beginnings of Science Fiction to the late 1930's when John Campbell took over editorship of ASTOUNDING. This publication was to become the most influential publication in the industry, perhaps because Campbell insisted on some scientific basis for his stories, even if the science had not yet been invented. He also nurtured a number of the classical writers in the genre, including Asimov, Heinlein, Van Vogt, and L Ron Hubbard.
Just prior to the war, a number of other magazines entered the field, but the paper shortage caused by the war wiped most of them out. Perhaps the greatest loss was UNKNOWN, thought by some to be the best fantasy magazine ever published.
Science Fiction magazines boomed again in the early 1950's, but faded out with the widespread introduction of television. Today, only a handful survive. ASTOUNDING was renamed ANALOG in 1960 and is still published. AMAZING has been revived several times, along with WEIRD TALES, but their continued publication is in doubt.
Below are listed the pulp magazines I currently have in stock. If you decide to place an order, be sure to read my ordering instructionsbefore placing your order, as well as my commentsabout collecting Science Fiction.
Here is a listing of what I currently have available
Here are some plastic bags you may find useful in protecting your valuable collection
My very strict grading standards may be found here
press
here for an order form that you may print out