I picked up a book recently called THE KING’S NAME by Jo Walton and the cover characters looked familiar, but I couldn’t place why at first. Then, when I was listing the book for sale, and saw the name of the cover artist, I realized why:

Check it out.
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I don’t know about you and your family, but for me and my mom, book collecting’s not just about reading the books we buy, but also in large part for the book cover art. (In fact, a great cover or dust jacket sometimes can be the best bit of an otherwise not-quite-so-good book. =)

Given how a really attractive cover catches the eye and makes you want to pick a book up to look at it closer, I’m amazed at how many dust jackets have such poor quality graphics and illustrations or color combinations. I don’t know if it’s an economic choice, an artistic one, or timing (they couldn’t get the artist they really wanted, so went with one that was available or with the cheapest inks available or ??…) There have been probably quite a few books that were really great reads I’ve never read because the cover of that particular edition turned me off. (The reverse is probably true, too, though – what about you?)

Book cover fantasy art and science fiction book covers are two of my personal favorites to collect since those are also two of my favorite genres to read. (Isn’t it nice when you can combine fun things?) So, to share a little of my collecting mania, I’ve decided to feature a favorite book cover artist of mine each week or so. (If nothing else, it makes me clean and rearrange my shelves – something I’ve been needing to do for awhile… =)

This week’s favorite of mine is Boris Vallejo, who is a very hot and collectible Sci Fi and Fantasy artist/illustrator with a distinctive style. His works feature photo-realistic renditions in glorious full rich, almost jewel tone colors. Here are just a few examples from my own collection, books I like to showcase on my shelves:

Another Favorite Boris Cover – TO SAIL BEYOND THE SUNSET by Robert A. Heinlein

Some Boris Vallejo Fantasy Art – Janet Morris’ THIEVES’ WORLD Book Covers
Andre Norton Books with Boris Vallejo Dust Jacket Art

These are just the tip of the iceberg for this very prolific, gifted artist and can’t really show just how wonderful his work is. For more info on him, such as his biography or for a look at his art catalog, check out Boris Vallejo’s official website. (Don’t miss his wife, Julie Bell’s, work, either – she’s also amazing and someone I’ve just started collecting!)

To start your own fantasy or sci fiction book cover art collection, why not check out Boris Vallejo on eBay or Boris Vallejo on Amazon? You can start out with inexpensive editions to see if you’ll like his art (and the books they cover, of course ;) as much as I do or go straight for the collector’s copies or even actual posters/paintings, all worthy of shelf and wall space in my opinion… (I even have his ‘Golden Wings’ bookplate as my preferred one for covering up previous owner’s names on Sci Fi & Fantasy books that I’ve now made mine, Boris Vallejo art on the cover notwithstanding. =)