GREGG PRESS

   US publisher of reprints in hardcover, a subsidiary of G.K. Hall \& Co. The Gregg Press Science Fiction Reprint Series, ed David G. HARTWELL with Lloyd W. CURREY as associate editor, included a variety of novels and collections dating from the 18th century until recent times. Among them were several new volumes, including ALYX (coll 1976; vt The Adventures of Alyx 1985 UK) by Joanna RUSS. GP also published books of critical materialabout sf drawn from such academic journals as SCIENCE-FICTION STUDIES and FOUNDATION. The GP reprints - many of which represented the firsthardcover editions of out-of-print paperback originals - were regarded by critics as the best of the several sf reprint hardcover series, all aimed primarily at libraries; new and often lengthy introductions to the fiction reprints, by leading critics and authors, were a useful feature. 1978 was a peak year for the series, with 61 titles published. In 1980 it became clear that the backlist inventory was too large, and the roster of new publications was radically cut down. During 1980-84 Currey alone edited the GP Masters of Science Fiction and Fantasy author bibliographies, which covered 18 writers in 14 volumes. GP stopped publishing sf in 1984, and disappeared on being absorbed into Macmillan in Spring 1991.

   PN/MJE