Pulp Fiction Collection
This collection contains 72 pulp fiction magazine titles. This collection's titles date from 1946-2008, documenting a major explosion in science fiction during this time. The collection also includes magazines covering genres such as fantasy, mystery, and horror. It contains stories by starting authors, today well-known, such as Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, Philip K. Dick, George R. R. Martin, Robert Silverberg, and Fritz Lieder.
Dates
- 1946-2008
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
59.5 Linear Feet (87 half boxes, 16 record boxes)
Abstract
This collection contains 72 pulp fiction magazine titles from post-WWII to the 2000s. Each magazine consists of novellas, short stories, and editorials by various science fiction, fantasy, and mystery authors.
Biographical/Historical Note
The term "pulp fiction" derives from the wood pulp paper used from this variety's close relative, penny dreadfuls, which prospered in England during the 19th century. Though the books during the time of Weird Tales and Fantastic Stories were made quite differently, the trend of short stories appearing in regular issues remained roughly the same. The first of such pulp magazines included Argosy Magazine, first published in 1896, soon to be followed by more famous titles, such as Weird Tales, Amazing Stories, and Black Mask. Numerous authors gained popularity and success from their writings distributed through these magazines: authors like H. P. Lovecraft who fomulated the Cthulu mythos in Weird Tales and Isaac Asimov with his Foundation Series in Astounding Magazine. With the boom after WWII during the space race era, science fiction reached the height of its popularity. At the arrival of the mid-1970s the genre began its decline.
Arrangement
This collection consists of 103 boxes arranged in two series: Use Collection and Preservation Collection (which contains duplicate titles from the Use Collection saved for preservation purposes). Subseries are arranged in alphabetical and numerical order by publication title, volume and issue number, and publication date.
Acquisition Note
Rosalind Greenberg donated this collection to Special Collections in 2014.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository