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Collector Features & Identification
Author: Piers Anthony
Cover Artists: Michael Whelan (Books 1–5) and Rowena Morrill (Book 7)
Book Series: Incarnations of Immortality (Books 1–7)
Publisher & Year: Del Rey / William Morrow / SFBC (1983–1990)
Format: Hardcover with Dust Jacket
Edition: Book Club Editions (Verified Set)
Identification: This is a highly preserved, unread seven-volume Book Club Edition set encompassing the original core Incarnations of Immortality series. All volumes are verified BCEs via their rear jacket codes and lack of inner flap pricing.
- On a Pale Horse (1983) – SFBC code \"02158\". Brown boards with a matching brown quarter-binding and red spine lettering denoting Del Rey.
- Bearing an Hourglass (1984) – SFBC code \"01917\". White boards with a red quarter-binding and black spine lettering denoting Del Rey. Features an R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company manufacturing stamp.
- With a Tangled Skein (1985) – SFBC code missing/N/A. Gutter code \"Q41\". Light gray boards with a red quarter-binding and black spine lettering denoting Del Rey.
- Wielding a Red Sword (1986) – SFBC code \"10492\". Gutter code \"Q44\". Black boards with a red quarter-binding and gold spine lettering denoting Del Rey.
- Being a Green Mother (1987) – SFBC code \"12451\". Red boards with a dark red quarter-binding and gold spine lettering denoting Del Rey.
- For Love of Evil (1988) – SFBC code \"10776\". Beige boards with a brown quarter-binding and gold spine lettering denoting Morrow.
- And Eternity (1990) – SFBC code \"17198\". Gray boards with gold spine lettering. Features unique pink/salmon paste-downs.
Genre: Classic Fantasy, Mythic Fantasy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Blend, Philosophical Fantasy
Topics:
◦ The Cosmic Offices (Death, Time, Fate, War, Nature, Evil, Good)
◦ Zane (Death)
◦ Norton (Time)
◦ Niobe (Fate)
◦ Satan (Evil)
◦ God (Good)
◦ Magic vs. Science
Exact Page Counts:
◦ On a Pale Horse: 309 Pages
◦ Bearing an Hourglass: 293 Pages
◦ With a Tangled Skein: 280 Pages
◦ Wielding a Red Sword: 295 Pages
◦ Being a Green Mother: 313 Pages
◦ For Love of Evil: 383 Pages
◦ And Eternity: 369 Pages
◦ Combined Total: 2,242 Pages
About the Books (Synopsis)
Piers Anthony\'s legendary Incarnations of Immortality series is set in a universe where both magic and high technology coexist, and the abstract forces driving the universe are actually cosmic offices held by mortal humans. From a desperate man who shoots Death and is forced to take his job, to the complex, tragic origins of Satan, and a young mortal woman\'s reluctant ascension to the office of Fate, this epic 7-book saga spans heaven, hell, and everything in between. The series masterfully blends humor, philosophy, and classic fantasy as these newly minted gods try to navigate their immense powers while clinging to their lingering humanity.
Archival Preservation
Archival Sleeve: Every dust jacket is protected by a professional-grade, 1.5-mil clear Mylar archival cover.
Adhesive-Free Policy: My archival process utilizes zero adhesives, tape, or glues directly on the dust jacket or book, ensuring the integrity and value of the original materials are never compromised.
Archival Backing: The jackets are supported by acid-free, pH-neutral backing paper to preserve paper quality and prevent any toning. Note: The Mylar is fitted naturally with unfinished creases to prevent spine stress and to allow the buyer to make fine visual adjustments to the backing height to their personal preference.
Structural Integrity: Stored upright in a smoke-free, climate-controlled environment.
Condition Report
This complete 7-book set is in Very Good to Like New condition overall. Structurally, these are incredibly firm, unread copies that retain their fresh \"creak\" when opened.
Dust Jackets: Good to Flawless. With a Tangled Skein is flawless. Bearing an Hourglass, Wielding a Red Sword, Being a Green Mother, For Love of Evil, and And Eternity are Very Good, showing only minor shelf wear or standard adhesive residue on the rear panels (no sticker remnants remain). On a Pale Horse is Good; it exhibits a minor split between the spine and back cover that is virtually invisible and fully stabilized under the Mylar.
Binding & Boards: Very Good. The boards and quarter-bindings across all seven volumes are perfectly solid, and the hinges on every book are highly resistant, confirming these volumes have never been broken in. Forensic Note: The underlying gray front board of And Eternity exhibits a few faint ink scribbles (likely from a child) directly on the cover. This is purely cosmetic and completely hidden when the jacket is on.
Text Block: Very Good to Like New. The text blocks across all volumes are firm, tight, and crisp. Bearing an Hourglass, With a Tangled Skein, Wielding a Red Sword, and For Love of Evil are brilliantly white and appear absolutely brand new. The others exhibit only the absolute slightest, uniform age-tanning typical of 1980s BCE paper stock.
Internal: Clean paste-downs and endpapers across the entire set (featuring standard white on Books 1-6, and the unique pink/salmon color on Book 7). Free of any internal markings, remainder marks, or owner inscriptions.
Why This Listing Has Premium Pricing
This is a preserved collector asset that respects forensic honesty. You are paying for verified quality and professional curation:
◦ Deep Forensic Research: I conduct meticulous research on every book, thoroughly checking codes, publisher history, and edition markers to guarantee exactly what you are receiving.
◦ The Craft of Preservation: Hardcover books arrive protected by high-grade archival sleeves with acid-free backing.
◦ Unmatched Transparency: I provide honest, detailed descriptions of condition, ensuring you know exactly what is in your collection.
◦ Transparent & Fair Shipping: I do not inflate shipping costs to pad margins. You pay the true, calculated rate for secure transit, whether domestic or international.
◦ 360° Video Display & Comprehensive Photography: Please see all pictures and the included video to know exactly what you are getting. I utilize a rotating display platform to provide a full 55-second 360-degree rotation of the actual books. The first half of the video shows the rotation with the dust jackets on, and the second half shows the rotation with the jackets off so you can clearly see the condition of the underlying boards.
Buyer Inquiries
Questions: If you have any questions about this listing or need to see additional details, please reach out. I am always happy to answer any questions you might have.
Shipping & Handling
Your set will be shipped appropriately in a sturdy box with ample bubble wrap and protective wrapping. I ship within 1-2 business days.
Service: USPS Media Mail
Combined Shipping: I offer combined shipping if you are looking to acquire multiple items from the archive. Just send me a direct message before checking out so I can sort the rates for you.
Physical Dimensions
Height: 8.50 in (Uniform set height)
Length: 5.75 in
Width: 8.50 in (Combined)
Weight: 7.50 lb
