Woefully out of date, this page will someday be the crowning glory of Shadow Guard. Pictures of my signed/limited editions, with tales regaled of their acquisition, will be found here. Let’s start with my most spectacular success story:

Here we have an excellent graphic rendition of the short story The Last Defender of Camelot. I saw a reference to it on a Zelazny fan site, along with contact information for the artist, Jim Zimmerman. So I emailed Jim, and asked him if copies were still available for order. He said they were, I ordered, and some time passed. After a while, I emailed him an inquiry (have you sent the darn thing yet?). I also shared my idea for a virtual memorial library dedicated to Roger’s works and memory, and asked if he might autograph the comic, if he had not mailed it yet. If he had, that was even better, as I would just order another for him to sign and send, and use the first one as a reading copy. It was in this very emailed inquiry that I first conceived of Shadow Guard as you see it now. Jim must have been online right then, as I had a reply within a few minutes. He apologized for the delay, and told me that for my troubles, he would send me one of his remaining copies signed by Roger and himself, as well as a reading copy. He also graciously gave me permission to include his work here in Shadow Guard, which distinguishes his work from any other found in this place. The instant I read that message, I let out a whoop! of joy, and pranced merrily all about the hangar where I work. Soon afterward (in fact, the very day of this writing), I received two copies of The Last Defender of Camelot, read the reading copy, cherished the signed copy, and posted this entry foremost among the Things of Incalculable Worth. Once my other treasures are included here, some collectors might argue that one piece or another is of greater value or collectibility than this one. I would disagree, on the grounds that no other item in the Library brings me the fond memories that this one always will.

This is a set, still shrink-wrapped and unopened, of two children’s stories that Roger wrote in the late 1960’s. He later met Vaughn Bodé, the self-proclaimed “cartoon gooroo”, and, admiring each other’s work, the two joined forces in the creation of Here There be Dragons and Way Up High. The books come in a lovely, cloth-covered slipcase, and are individually signed by Roger Zelazny. I assume this set is numbered in the low 600’s of 1000 sets, because the other set I bought later as a reading copy is set #656. It is truly an embarrassment of riches, and I am almost ashamed to do it…a signed and numbered reading copy! But, there was no other way. If they had been previously published, I couldn’t find any for sale, and I wasn’t about to let all 1000 sell out, only to find that there would be no general run.

Until I get around to posting more pictures, I’ll just casually mention some of the other priceless treasures:

Nine Princes in Amber

Ex-library first edition, in better condition than my various other ex-lib’s.

I have four copies of To Spin is Miracle Cat, now:

2 signed and numbered; 1 general run;

and one unbound proof, one of six such, complete with

dustjacket folded in place, with the original invoice from the printer.

If I could find one of the presentation copies, I’d have the only complete set there is, I imagine.

I have three copies of When Pussywillows Last in the Catyard Bloomed:

1 signed and numbered; 2 numbered:

of these two, one is #201, which makes it #1 of the numbered, unsigned copies.

Roger Zelazny: A Primary and Secondary Bibliography

is simply impossible to find, but I found one. Apparently unread, I never look in it unless I

can’t find what I need in any of my other references, and even then I only open the book

30 degrees or so, with clean hands. It is immaculate – absolutely pristine.

A Rhapsody in Amber

is a pretty little chapbook, slipcovered, which has a few things elsewhere unpublished.

It is number FF of AA-ZZ, 52 copies signed and reserved for personal distribution,

and not for general sale. Pricey, for a little pamphlet…

The Last Defender of Camelot

#37 of the 275-copy Underwood/Miller chapbook run.

The Bells of Shoredan

Signed, unnumbered Underwood/Miller Chapbook

A Night in the Lonesome October

Easton Press Leatherbound, from their “Signed First Editions” series, signed by Zelazny, by illustrator (the illustrious!) Gahan Wilson, and by James Gunn, who wrote the foreword.

Oh, and I have two copies of AND THE DARKNESS IS HARSH…

There are more, but these are the ones I treasure most. The Library may be admired

in person by appointment only, because I’ll need a few days to clean the place up…