Rare Collections: Best Reads for The Man in Your Life

With Father’s Day approaching, founder and owner of Rare Collections Christo Snyman, has decided to share his love of reading with a Father’s Day promotion. He suggests you thank the men in your life with a special collector’s piece from their Science Fiction collections.

Christo is a father of two boys. Both are also avid readers and share his love of science and the natural world. A lot of their bonding time and connections are made through reading and exploring scientific worlds and stories. Therefore, all Science Fiction books listed on their website will be at a 15% discount until the 18^th of June 2023

Here are some of the items under this category that Christo suggests as gifts:

1. 
   

   Lanark by Alasdair Gray

This is a very special collection piece with a lot of history. For those that don’t know Lanark was written over a period of at least 30 years. On publication in 1981 Anthony Burgess called Gray “The best Scottish novelist since Walter Scott”. Lanark won the inaugural Saltire Society Book of the year 1982, was also named “Scottish Arts Council Book of the Year.

The book has since become a cult classic and in 2008 The Guardian heralded Lanark as “one of the landmarks of 20th century fiction.”  The copy available is a First Edition Hardcover book in Fine Condition. It is also signed on the front pastedown; “Alasdair Gray 27 February 1981” and comes with a custom clamshell.

2. 
   

   The God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

Dune is one of those timeless stories with a loyal following. This is the fourth Dune book, and it is signed by Frank Herbert for Marian. It is a beautiful collector’s and investment copy. Difficult to find it signed and even more rarely in this good condition.

3. Embers of War Trilogy by Gareth L. Powell

This is a more recent award-winning series written by Powell which garnered immediate worldwide appreciation. The first book in the series also won the BFSA for best novel. The set available at Rare Collections is a Deluxe Edition by Planet Nine Press published in 2022. Exclusive artwork by Tomislav Tikulin and signed by the author. This set is #165 of only 350 numbered copies available.

4. 
   

   The Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin

This signed Limited Edition PC Set of Jemisin’s iconic Broken Earth Trilogy with a Custom Slipcase will make a beautiful collector’s gift. All three books in the trilogy famously won the Hugo Award. The Stone Sky also won the Nebula Award, with the other two both being nominees.

5. 
   

   Prints by Richard Wilkinson

From the moment Christo discovered Richard’s Art he was hooked. It’s right up his ally of interest in both science and quality collector’s art pieces. Wilkinson creates detail paintings in both traditional and digital media, influenced by the art of pioneering natural history artists of the 18^th and 19^th century. His work draws heavily on the scientific aesthetic of this era but turns the microscope’s focus instead onto the flora and fauna of modern popular culture. We have a variety of prints from his first series Arthropoda Iconicus, which is a collection of artworks illustrating imaginary insects (and a few other arthropods) which hold within them a resemblance to some specimen of a very popular culture. Have a look and see if you can recognise the resemblance and which one the father in your life would appreciate most.

Make sure to browse the whole Science Fiction genre on the Rare Collections website to find the perfect gift for the dads in your life.