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Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology
The Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology contains over 1,200 pages of material, spread over four volumes and includes 5000+ illustrations and 140,000 words. It's massive in scope and scale. Written by Michael Tierney who worked closely with and was officially sanctioned by all the people at Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. to bring this massive project to life. Michael Tierney, gives the narrative history of Burroughs' work and the often legendary artists who visualized it, featuring untold stories, art that hasn't been seen since its release, and pieces that were buried in the vaults from the beginning of his publishing history to the present day.
Volume 1. The pulps: Dawn of the age of science fiction
Volume 2. The books: Literature with sharp cutting edges
Volume 3. Comics: The universal language - Part 1
Volume 4. Comics: The universal language - Part 2.
Volume 1. The pulps: Dawn of the age of science fiction
Volume 2. The books: Literature with sharp cutting edges
Volume 3. Comics: The universal language - Part 1
Volume 4. Comics: The universal language - Part 2.
1000 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2018
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July 11, 2018
The Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology deserves the Golden Lion award!
Two words can sum up the impact of the ERB 100 Year Art Chronology, “Golden Lion”.
For this discussion, the “Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology” will be designated as “ERB100YAC”. “Edgar Rice Burroughs”, whose books inspired this artwork, will be designated as ERB.
The aforementioned “Golden Lion” is an annual award presented by the Burroughs Bibliophiles to an individual who makes a significant contribution to the worlds of ERB, usually of a professional nature e.g. a reference book or artwork or a published story. The Burroughs Bibliophiles is a non-profit literary society dedicated to stimulating interest in and preserving the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. This reviewer is not involved in the selection of the prestigious “Golden Lion” award.
This review will examine how the ERB100YAC is worthy of the “Golden Lion” award.
In short, the “100 Year Art Chronology” is comprehensive, in-depth, personable, insightful, and awesome. It captures information about the books and artwork that has not been presented before. Every image and illustration is beautifully restored often with commentary and insight.
Developed and assembled by Michael Tierney, the ERB100YAC displays the work of a fan in love with the artwork inspired by Burroughs’ tales of heroes and adventure. The inspiration for this chronology appears in the love song that is the introduction culminating on page 9 with, “Long after the words were read, what has kept the stories alive is the artwork.”
All four volumes of ERB100YAC are blessed with amazing illustrations be they pulp magazines, books or comics. The refurbished artwork makes for enchanting time machines that spirit the reader back to the street corner newsstand or the spinner rack or the bookstore or the comic shop when these stories were first available. For example, the reader is hypnotically transfixed by the cover of the February 1927 Amazing Stories as the submarine is overwhelmed by sea creatures and flying monsters in the Land That Time Forgot. (Volume 1 page 66). I’ve seen this picture hundreds of times but never as fresh and brilliant as this.
All magazine, book, and comic covers are displayed in newfound glory not seen since their first appearance on the newsstand or spinner rack. It is the way of things that the covers of published works deteriorate through normal wear and tear and the passage of time. But we will still have this chronology and the digitizing effort that sprang from it. Fans have waited for a long time for a collection such as this.
The author, Michael Tierney, is a tour guide who offers insight and trivia throughout all four volumes. His approach is warm and personable like a grandfather describing the exploits of a loved grandchild. Surely this fulfills the ambition of a lifetime. But Tierney isn’t done yet having initiated another project as this one was being published. Busy people get things done.
For example, Mr. Tierney makes these observations:
(V1 page 140) that Virgil Finley was “one of the most prolific science-fiction artists ever” with a “hyper-detailed style of inking”.
(V1 page 175) that J. Allen St John “had a flair for illustrating flying dinosaurs as they twisted through the air”.
(V1 page 178) that J. Allen St John’s “vividly colored covers filled with action to create the very definition of the word ‘lurid’”.
(V1 page 180) “these fanzines were the information resources of the day and a proving ground for future mainstream Burroughs illustrators”.
(V2 page 34) “the Golden Lion photoplay edition is another early example of cross-media promotional strategy”.
(V2 page 169) describes the dangers of mold on books and the need to wash your hands.
The chronology is organized in four volumes. Volume 1 is devoted to the pulp magazines where most of ERB’s stories first appeared. Volume 2 chronicles both the hardcover and paperback editions of the books. Volumes 3 and 4 capture the comic books.
In Volume 1, The Pulps, every pulp artist is profiled in a page and each of the Pulp magazines has their story told. Pulp covers and chapter headpieces are seen as never before. As fresh as the day they were new. Historical information about each story is provided by the author. Thorough commentary pulls in facts from prior reference works e.g. the ERB Bibliography written by Dr. Henry Hardy Heins (V1 page 168). The Pulps include a tribute to fanzines including The Barsoomian, Erbania, and ERB-Dom.
In Volume 2, The Books, every U.S.A. and U.K. edition of every book pictured both hardcover and paperback. Some book cover images are full page. All images show the books in pristine condition.
In Volume 3 and 4, The Comics, every U.S.A. and U.K. edition is pictured with a 2 to 4 sentence blurb describing the plot. Biographies on the artists and writers reveal the real heroes that bring these stories to life. Every comic from Tarzan’s first appearance in 1929 to 2017 is represented. Big Little Books and Newspaper comic strips are also covered.
One of this reviewer’s concerns is preserving the ERB legacy and furthering it for future generations. Do we leave that legacy better than we found it? Having now held the ERB100YAC in my hands and seen it with my eyes I can say this is a significant work.
Really the only thing this collection lacks is a carrying case. Despite that this collection is award five stars on a five star scale.
This review has attempted to illustrate the significance and thoroughness of the ERB100YAC.
If any doubt remains the Golden Lion selection committee should look for themselves at the amazing Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology.
If the ERB fan owns only one “book about the books” this is that supreme tour that pauses at every artwork to reflect upon the unique beauty and impact that it contributes to the legacy of ERB. One could place ERB100YAC on a coffee table large enough to permit all four volumes to be spread out. These are the perfect things to entertain guests who wonder “just who is this Burroughs guy?” or “where does one find adventure without leaving the armchair?”
For any generation of fans seeking to perpetuate the legacy of a literary treasure such as the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, that generation of fans should seek to leave the legacy better than they found it. The Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology does exactly that, making ERB100YAC worthy of a Golden Lion!
Jess Terrell
Two words can sum up the impact of the ERB 100 Year Art Chronology, “Golden Lion”.
For this discussion, the “Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology” will be designated as “ERB100YAC”. “Edgar Rice Burroughs”, whose books inspired this artwork, will be designated as ERB.
The aforementioned “Golden Lion” is an annual award presented by the Burroughs Bibliophiles to an individual who makes a significant contribution to the worlds of ERB, usually of a professional nature e.g. a reference book or artwork or a published story. The Burroughs Bibliophiles is a non-profit literary society dedicated to stimulating interest in and preserving the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. This reviewer is not involved in the selection of the prestigious “Golden Lion” award.
This review will examine how the ERB100YAC is worthy of the “Golden Lion” award.
In short, the “100 Year Art Chronology” is comprehensive, in-depth, personable, insightful, and awesome. It captures information about the books and artwork that has not been presented before. Every image and illustration is beautifully restored often with commentary and insight.
Developed and assembled by Michael Tierney, the ERB100YAC displays the work of a fan in love with the artwork inspired by Burroughs’ tales of heroes and adventure. The inspiration for this chronology appears in the love song that is the introduction culminating on page 9 with, “Long after the words were read, what has kept the stories alive is the artwork.”
All four volumes of ERB100YAC are blessed with amazing illustrations be they pulp magazines, books or comics. The refurbished artwork makes for enchanting time machines that spirit the reader back to the street corner newsstand or the spinner rack or the bookstore or the comic shop when these stories were first available. For example, the reader is hypnotically transfixed by the cover of the February 1927 Amazing Stories as the submarine is overwhelmed by sea creatures and flying monsters in the Land That Time Forgot. (Volume 1 page 66). I’ve seen this picture hundreds of times but never as fresh and brilliant as this.
All magazine, book, and comic covers are displayed in newfound glory not seen since their first appearance on the newsstand or spinner rack. It is the way of things that the covers of published works deteriorate through normal wear and tear and the passage of time. But we will still have this chronology and the digitizing effort that sprang from it. Fans have waited for a long time for a collection such as this.
The author, Michael Tierney, is a tour guide who offers insight and trivia throughout all four volumes. His approach is warm and personable like a grandfather describing the exploits of a loved grandchild. Surely this fulfills the ambition of a lifetime. But Tierney isn’t done yet having initiated another project as this one was being published. Busy people get things done.
For example, Mr. Tierney makes these observations:
(V1 page 140) that Virgil Finley was “one of the most prolific science-fiction artists ever” with a “hyper-detailed style of inking”.
(V1 page 175) that J. Allen St John “had a flair for illustrating flying dinosaurs as they twisted through the air”.
(V1 page 178) that J. Allen St John’s “vividly colored covers filled with action to create the very definition of the word ‘lurid’”.
(V1 page 180) “these fanzines were the information resources of the day and a proving ground for future mainstream Burroughs illustrators”.
(V2 page 34) “the Golden Lion photoplay edition is another early example of cross-media promotional strategy”.
(V2 page 169) describes the dangers of mold on books and the need to wash your hands.
The chronology is organized in four volumes. Volume 1 is devoted to the pulp magazines where most of ERB’s stories first appeared. Volume 2 chronicles both the hardcover and paperback editions of the books. Volumes 3 and 4 capture the comic books.
In Volume 1, The Pulps, every pulp artist is profiled in a page and each of the Pulp magazines has their story told. Pulp covers and chapter headpieces are seen as never before. As fresh as the day they were new. Historical information about each story is provided by the author. Thorough commentary pulls in facts from prior reference works e.g. the ERB Bibliography written by Dr. Henry Hardy Heins (V1 page 168). The Pulps include a tribute to fanzines including The Barsoomian, Erbania, and ERB-Dom.
In Volume 2, The Books, every U.S.A. and U.K. edition of every book pictured both hardcover and paperback. Some book cover images are full page. All images show the books in pristine condition.
In Volume 3 and 4, The Comics, every U.S.A. and U.K. edition is pictured with a 2 to 4 sentence blurb describing the plot. Biographies on the artists and writers reveal the real heroes that bring these stories to life. Every comic from Tarzan’s first appearance in 1929 to 2017 is represented. Big Little Books and Newspaper comic strips are also covered.
One of this reviewer’s concerns is preserving the ERB legacy and furthering it for future generations. Do we leave that legacy better than we found it? Having now held the ERB100YAC in my hands and seen it with my eyes I can say this is a significant work.
Really the only thing this collection lacks is a carrying case. Despite that this collection is award five stars on a five star scale.
This review has attempted to illustrate the significance and thoroughness of the ERB100YAC.
If any doubt remains the Golden Lion selection committee should look for themselves at the amazing Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology.
If the ERB fan owns only one “book about the books” this is that supreme tour that pauses at every artwork to reflect upon the unique beauty and impact that it contributes to the legacy of ERB. One could place ERB100YAC on a coffee table large enough to permit all four volumes to be spread out. These are the perfect things to entertain guests who wonder “just who is this Burroughs guy?” or “where does one find adventure without leaving the armchair?”
For any generation of fans seeking to perpetuate the legacy of a literary treasure such as the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, that generation of fans should seek to leave the legacy better than they found it. The Edgar Rice Burroughs 100 Year Art Chronology does exactly that, making ERB100YAC worthy of a Golden Lion!
Jess Terrell
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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