ICONS OF THE FANTASTIC: Illustrations of Imaginative Literature from The Korshak Collection

Features the extraordinary original artworks and paintings gathered in the Korshak Collection; artwork by pioneering and contemporary artists from over 160 years of science fiction and fantasy alongside essays by such figures as del Toro, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Dirda, who highlight the profound and ongoing impact of those works on imaginative literature. Alongside essays about famous illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac, contributors engage in a critical reassessment of understudied artists such as José Segrelles, Wladyslaw Benda, Fortunino Matania, Willy Pogany, Margaret Brundage and Hannes Bok, all represented here with multiple images by each artist. The artworks appeared on the covers of the Tarzan series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, classic pulp magazines such as Amazing Stories and Weird Tales, and legendary books and rare magazine art from the Golden Age of Illustration. Images of mischievous satyrs, ethereal mermaids, and spell-casting witches for The Tempest, Don Quixote, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to works by Edgar Allan Poe and H. G. Wells. Interview with renowned contemporary illustration artist Michael Whelan. Erle Korshak was the First Fandom sf fan and publisher responsible for the highly regarded SF publisher Shasta in the 1950s. He published Hannes Bok dust jackets, illustrated novels, all kinds of early and wonderful things. Erle lived into his 90s and passed on his love of the genre to his son, Stephen Korshak. It has been Stephen who built up this collection over several decades. From early Amazing Stories stalwart Frank R. Paul to artists both earlier but especially later, Stephen built a world class collection. This is revealed here. The Korshaks have written and produced previous art books dedicated to the works of J. Allen St. John and Frank R. Paul. "The Korshak Collection is a portrait and biography of a man and his family, who once looked upon the dark skies and saw Immortals, gods hunting in the storm clouds. Stephen Korshak decided to dedicate his life to tell us all how the thunder sounded and preserve the outlines of the cosmos for the awe of us all. Enjoy, believe—be amazed." —Guillermo del Toro, from the Foreword Note: A deluxe signed edition is in production but we don't yet have final pricing. Watch for announcement.