Tarzan and the Valley of Gold - Fritz Leiber (1966)

It has been many years since the appearance of a truly original novel based on the world-famous character TARZAN—first created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Now at last a magnificent tale of adventure, with the racing, thrilling action for which Burroughs was famous, has been created by Hugo Award winner Fritz Leiber, an adventure that is true to the real character of Tarzan, Lord Greystoke—who combined the wild savagery of his jungle background with the proud heritage of hundreds of years of civilization, who could hunt with the cunning patience of an animal and strike with the decisiveness of a man born to command. From the bullring of Mexico to the jungles of Brazil to the haunts of an ancient Incan city—here is a tale to set the heart drumming, the imagination soaring—a superb perpetuation of the legendary figure first conceived in the mind of one of the world's greatest storytellers—Edgar Rice Burroughs.

(from Ballantine Books)

First Published: Ballantine Books 1966.
A very forgettable film of the same title was realeased in 1966, starring Mike Henry as Tarzan.

We opted to take iberties with the original, rather unimaginative, form of the book by adding head chapter illustrations taken from the film stills and processed graphically, as well as three drawings, by Dan Hooper, on the title page, Petar Meseldzija for the frontispiece and John Buschema in the back pages.

24) Tarzan and the Castaways (1965)

The last Tarzan book fully authored by Edgar Rice Burroughs, comprising three different stories.

Story #1: Tarzan and the Castaways
Stranded on an uncharted Pacific island, Tarzan was forced to take command of an ill-sorted party—English aristocrats, a Dutch officer, a woman of doubtful reputation—to insure their safety from a band of mutineers led by a madman. A lost colony of Mayans, avid for potential victims for their barbarous human sacrifices, only added to the danger. But the Lord of the Jungle had unexpected allies...Cast away with his band was a shipment of African animals unknown to the island, striking terror in the hearts of Mayans and mutineers alike—but old friends and familiar antagonists to the man brought up among them...Tarzan of the Apes. (from Ballantine Books summary)

Story #2: Tarzan and the Champion
The heavyweight champion of the boxing world, a stupid mug (who was actually Joe Louis at time time) goes to Africa, shoots up a herd of zebra and elephants with a machine gun, gets punched-out by Tarzan, then captured with Tarzan by cannibals, and is finally rescued when Tarzan kills a lion in the middle of the village. The whole story is presented as a kind of “tongue-in-cheek” joke that really never comes off as being all that funny. One serious moment in this little piece of fluff is Tarzan’s lecture about suffering animals. The story is about as simple as my one sentence summary, but it is pure Burroughs from first to last. Rather than a short story, one might think of this piece as a vignette about Tarzan’s place in American life at the end of the 1930’s. As such, it is a rich period piece--like a 15-minute radio play. (from ERB Summary Project).

Story #3: Tarzan and the Jungle Murderers
As Tarzan walks along a forest trail, a note in Dango, the hyena's, voice causes him to investigate. He finds a crashed Italian airplane surrounded by hyenas. Tarzan quickly disperses the beasts and finds the pilot dead in the cockpit, killed by a bullet through the throat. Footprints around the plane reveal that passengers have left the scene. Further investigations show that the pilot was shot from above, so Tarzan concludes that he was shot by someone in another plane. Tarzan smells a glove and gets another clue. Footprints tell of two men who left two days ago. Tarzan follows the two men and finds a second plane wreck, this one shot down by a machine gun. A used parachute tell him that the pilot in plane #2 has survived. He is an Englishman, Lieutenant Cecil Giles-Burton. Tarzan decides to follow him. (from ERBzine)

Written in three installments::
Tarzan and the Champion, July 1939; Murder in the Jungle (Tarzan and the Jungle Murders), January 1939; The Quest of Tarzan (Tarzan and the Castaways), begun in November 1940.

The three stories appeared in pulp magazines as follows: 

Blue Book Magazine: April 1940, Tarzan and the Champion; L. R. Gustavson cover: numerous tinted and b/w interiors.
Thrilling Adventures: June 1940, Tarzan and the Jungle Murders; Rudolph Belarski: cover, C. A. Murphy: 12 b/w interiors.
Argosy Weekly: 1941: August 23, 30; September 6, The Quest of Tarzan; Virgil Finlay: first installment cover and one interior per issue.

First book edition: Canaveral Press: 1965 with bibliographic note by Richard Lupoff ; Frank Frazetta: DJ and six interiors.

We followed this 1965 first edition.

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23) Tarzan and the Madman (1965)

The drums boomed forth the incredible message from tribe to tribe—Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, had become an enemy to all, stealing and enslaving their women...even the daughter of an English millionaire, who offered a princely reward for her recapture and Tarzan's death. Certainly her captor told Sandra Pickerall that he was Tarzan...but he also told her he was God... Tarzan followed their trail with one thought in mind—to pursue and destroy utterly the man who had stolen his name and made it infamous in the jungle world he loved.

from Ballantine Books

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Written January - February, 1940.
First Book Edition: Canaveral Press: June 9, 1964; 236 pages. Reed Crandall: cover and eight b/w interiors.
Written in 1940 but not published until 1965, this late entry in the Tarzan series never appeared in magazine form and Burroughs apparently shelved it for good. (The later "TARZAN AND THE FOREIGN LEGION" also had no success in finding a magazine sale and eventually was published by Burroughs himself, three years after it was written.) As for TARZAN AND THE MADMAN, it was eventually brought out of limbo into hardcover in 1964 by Canaveral Press and then issued as a paperback the following year.
We followed this 1965 first edition.

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22) Tarzan and the Foreign Legion (1947)

When the American bomber crashed in the jungles of enemy-held Sumatra, the survivors faced the perils of a completely unknown world . . . and the RAF colonel who had flown with them as observer seemed to compound their danger by going mad—stripping to a loincloth and throwing away his weapons except for his knife. But for Colonel John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, the hazards of wild beasts and a remorseless enemy were a familiar and joyously accepted challenge — a chance to return to his true identity of Tarzan of the Apes. Gathering a motley crew of allies of many nations, Tarzan worked a terrible vengeance on the occupying Japanese, led an epic trek to the coast — to a final ocean rendezvous with enemies human and inhuman.

Written in 1944 but not published until 1947 (and with no magazine serialization), this was the last Tarzan book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, penned only a few years before his death. It`s also one of the very best in the entire series.

Stationed as a war correspondent in Hawaii, Burroughs broke with tradition in many ways with this book. Where the preceding dozen novels had become increasingly repetitious and predictable, here there are real surprises. The writing style is crisp, wry, with sharper pacing and neater characterizaton than had been seen in years. With this last book, Burroughs seemed to take a fresh look at his most famous creation and see him from a different angle.

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First Book Edition: ERB, Inc. Tarzana: August 22, 1947; 314 pages ~ Print Run: 25,700 copies. John Coleman Burroughs: cover and five interiors.
We followed this 1947 first edition.

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21) Tarzan the Magnificent (1939)

The half-dead American raved of an unknown city...of women warriors, ruled by a malignant wizard...of a great diamond, the Gonfal, with strange hypnotic powers . . . of a long-lost English nobleman...of the savage queen who had betrayed her duty and helped him to escape. Tarzan put little faith in Stanley Wood's story — until he saw the power of the Gonfal draw the American in spite of himself back into the clutches of the Amazons of the Kaji. Then it was that the ape-man became once more the implacable hunter — for, though he cared nothing for diamonds or lost civilizations, no one might be allowed to harm a man the Lord of the Jungle had taken under his protection.

from Ballantine Books

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ERB commenced writing September 1935.
Originally published in two parts: "Tarzan and the Magic Men" (1936) ~ begun in September 1935 and "Tarzan and the Elephant Men" (1937) ~ Begun December 1936.
First Published by "Argosy Weekly": 1936: September 19, 26, October 3. "Tarzan and the Magic Men" ~ longer than the published novel. Hubert Rogers: instalment one cover Unknown artist: one interior per issue.
"Blue Book of Fiction and Adventure": 1937: November, December ~ 1938: January. "Tarzan
and the Elephant Men". Herbert Morton Stoops (Jeremy Cannon): first instalment cover and many interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 25, 1939 ~ 318 pages ~ Print Run: 3,500 copies. Art: John Coleman Burroughs: cover and five interior b/w plates.
We followed this 1939 first edition.

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20) Tarzan and the Forbidden City (1938)

A young man named Brian Gregory has disappeared in Africa, looking for the fabled Father of Diamonds; his father and sister want to go rescue him, and they can only enlist Tarzan's help because they know Captain Paul D'Arnot. By chance, Tarzan and Brian are lookalike, thus making some vile scoundrels to think Tarzan is Brian. They are also heading out after the big old diamond.
The Forbidden city is again in a secret valley, with two cities Ashair and Thobos in war, because of the Father of Diamonds. Tarzan has to fight many times against different foes, once even a man-size unicorn seahorse!

from www.edgarriceburroughs.com

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Written between October 10 and November 18, 1937.
First Published by "Argosy Weekly": 1938: March 19, 26; April: 2, 9, 16, 23 under the title: "The Red Star of Tarzan". Rudolph Belarski: first installment cover ~ Samuel Cahan: one interior per issue.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 15, 1938 ~ 315 pages ~ Print Run: 3,500 copies. Art: John Coleman Burroughs: cover, colour frontispiece and four interiors.

We followed this 1938 first edition.

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19) Tarzan's Quest (1936)

Tarzan of the Apes had heard only rumors of the Kavuru—a race of strange white savages. But when they stole the daughter of Muviro, chief of the Waziri, the Lord of the Jungle set out in search of their legend-shrouded village on a mission of rescue — or, if need be, of revenge. He could not know that his trail ran close to that of a strange group of survivors of a crashed plane — including his beloved mate, Jane — who struggled for survival against the terrors of Africa and an even worse danger within their own party. But the stranded Europeans and the ape-man were destined for a rendezvous of blood and fire — in the dreaded temple of the Kavuru.

from Ballantine Books

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Written May 1934 - January 1935 ~ working title Tarzan and Jane.
First Published by "Blue Book Magazine": 1935: October, November, December ~ 1936: January, February, March. Herbert Morton Stoops: first installment cover. Frank Hoban: many interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 1, 1936 ~ 318 pages. Print Run: 5,000 copies. J. Allen St. John: wrap-around cover and five b/w interior plates.
We followed this 1936 first edition.

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18) Tarzan and the Leopard Men (1935)

The steel-clawed Leopard Men were looking for victims for their savage rites. The secret cult struck terror in the hearts of all the villagers. Only Orando of the Utengi dared to declare war on them. And with Orando went Tarzan of the Apes—but a strangely changed Tarzan, who now believed that he was Muzimo, the spirit or demon who had been Orando's ancestor. There were traitors among Orando's people. And in the village of the Leopard Men was Kali Bwana, the white girl who had come to Africa to find a missing man. Only Tarzan could save her....

from Ballantine Books

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Written by ERB between July and September 1931
First Published by "Blue Book Magazine": 1932 August - December ~ 1933 January. Joseph Chenoweth: Tarzan cover art on the first three issues ~ Frank Hoban: numerous interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB Inc. Tarzana": September 7, 1935 ~ 332 pages ~ Print Run: 7,500 copies. Art: J. Allen St. John: wrap-around cover and four interiors.
We followed this 1935 first edition.

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17) Lion Man (1934)

A great safari had come to Africa to make a movie. It had struggled across the veldt and through the jungle in great ten-ton trucks, equipped with all the advantages of civilization. But now it was halted, almost destroyed by the poisoned arrows of the savage Bansuto tribe. There was no way to return. And ahead lay the strange valley of diamonds, where hairy gorillas lived in their town of London on the Thames, ruled by King Henry the Eighth. Behind them came Tarzan of the Apes with the Golden Lion, seeking the man who might have been his twin brother in looks—though hardly in courage!

from Ballantine Books

 

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ERB's writing commenced on February 9, 1933.
First Published by "Liberty": 1933 November 11, 18, 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ~ 1934 January 6. Ray Dean: 18 colour-tinted interiors ~ fewer words than final novel.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 1, 1934 ~ bound in grey cloth; 313 pages. Print Run: 5,245 copies. Art: J. Allen St. John: cover "Janus" face and five interiors.

We followed this 1934 first edition.

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16) City of Gold (1933)

When Tarzan of the Apes freed the white man who was being tortured by the savages, he was surprised to learn that the stranger came from no race or country the ape-man knew. He was from the fabled land of Onthar, where lay two ancient cities unknown to the outside world. One was Athne, city of ivory; the other was Cathne, city of gold and evil. There great prides of trained lions were used to hunt down men and wage eternal war. And there Tarzan met the beautiful queen Nemone, who was determined to have Tarzan as her king. . . or feed him to the lions!

from Ballantine Books

 

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Written in Novermber 1931.
First Published by "Argosy Magazine": 1932 March 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 9, 16. Paul Stahr: cover painting March 12 issue ~ Samuel Cahan: one b/w interior per issue.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 1, 1933; 316 pages. Print Run: 5,000 copies. Art: J. Allen St. John: cover and five interiors (frontispiece).

We followed this 1933 first edition.

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15) Tarzan Triumphant (1932)

In an unusual twist for a Tarzan story, real-life Soviet dictator Josef Stalin is used as a minor character in the novel, though he remains in Moscow and does not personally take part in the action.

Professor Lafayette Smith and Danny “Gunner” Patrick were products of two opposite poles of society; they were a strange pair to be thrown together on safari in Africa. But they had more in common than Lady Barbara Collis and Jezebel. Each of the four was the result of an environment and heredity totally foreign to that of the others. How Fate brought them together The Lord of the Jungle, Tarzan, against a background of the menacing forces of the evil men of the lawless places. You will lie bound and helpless in the village of Dominic Capietro, the white slave raider; you will hear the staccato roll of a Chicago gangster’s sub-machine gun splitting the silence of an African night; and through it all you will witness the unfolding of the surprising love stories of two beautiful women. 

 

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ERB commenced writing in February 1931 ~ working title: "Tarzan and the Raiders".
First Published in "Blue Book Magazine": 1931 October-December; 1932 January - March under the title: "The Triumph of Tarzan" serialized in six parts. Laurence Herndon: covers in Oct. and Dec. issues ~ Frank Hoban: many interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB Inc. Tarzana": September 1, 1932; 318 pages ~ Print Run: 15,728. Art: Studley Burroughs: Cover and five interiors.

We followed this 1932 first edition.

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14) Tarzan the Invincible (1931)

La was in trouble. The high priestess of the Flaming God in the ancient city of Opar — forgotten outpost of Atlantis — had been betrayed by her people and locked in the eon-haunted dungeons until Tarzan came to rescue her. La still loved Tarzan but Tarzan had brought her to his people, and then left her. Now, together with a strange woman of Tarzan's kind, she lay bound in the tent of an Arab slave-trader, dreading her certain fate. Meanwhile, Tarzan was beset by a strange band of men who had invaded his land led by a madman bent on evil subversion!

from Ballantine Books

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ERB started writing March 1930 ~ Working title "Tarzan and the Man Things".
First Published in "Blue Book Magazine": 1930 October through 1931 April. "Tarzan, Guard of the Jungle" pulp title. Laurence Herndon: Tarzan cover art on first 6 of 7 issues ~ Frank Hoban: many interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB Inc. Tarzana": November 20, 1931 ~ 318 pages ~ Print Run: 10,000 - Art: Studley Burroughs: Cover and frontispiece.

We followed this 1931 first edition.

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13) Tarzan at the Earth's Core (1930)

In response to a radio plea from Abner Perry, a scientist who with his friend David Innes has discovered the interior world of Pellucidar at the Earth's core, Jason Gridley launches an expedition to rescue Innes from the Korsars (corsairs), the scourge of the internal seas. He enlists Tarzan, and a fabulous airship is constructed to penetrate Pellucidar via the natural polar opening connecting the outer and inner worlds. The airship is crewed primarily by Germans, with Tarzan's Waziri warriors under their chief Muviro also along for the expedition. In Pellucidar Tarzan and Gridley are each separated from the main force of the expedition and must struggle for survival against the prehistoric creatures and peoples of the inner world. Gridley wins the love of the native cave-woman Jana, the Red Flower of Zoram. Eventually everyone is reunited, and the party succeeds in rescuing Innes. As Tarzan and the others prepare to return home, Gridley decides to stay to search for Frederich Wilhelm Eric von Mendeldorf und von Horst, one last member of the expedition who remains lost (The missing Von Horst's adventures are told in a sequel, Back to the Stone Age, which does not involve either Gridley or Tarzan).

www.edgarriceburroughs.com

 

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ERB began writing this novel on December 6, 1928.
First published in "Blue Book Magazine": 1929 Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec ~ 1930 Jan, Feb, Mar. - Frank Hoban: covers for 6 issues and interiors.
First Book Edition: "Metropolitan Books": November 28, 1930. Art: J. Allen St. John: wraparound DJ painting and a different frontispiece.

We followed this 1930 first edition.

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12) Tarzan and the Lost Empire (1929)

Somewhere in the heart of Africa, a man had disappeared—Erich von Harben, son of an old friend of Tarzan of the Apes. Now the ape-man was seeking to rescue him. The trail led to a mysterious valley where Tarzan discovered two surviving outposts of ancient Rome, almost unchanged by time. And there, Tarzan was thrust into the bloody arena, to face every peril the cruel and corrupt Emperor of Castra Sanguinarius could devise to ensure the ape-man's death. Miles away in Castrum Mare, Erich von Harben was also awaiting execution upon the sands of another tyrant's arena.

from Ballantine Books

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Written between March and May 1928 (working title: "Tarzan and the Lost Tribe").
First Published in "Blue Book Magazine": 1928: October, November, December ~ 1929: January, February. Frank Hoban: colour covers for the first four issues and 41 b/w interiors First Book Edition: "Metropolitan Books": September 28, 1929 (first title not published by McClurg) ~ 313 pages. A. W. Sperry: wrap-around DJ and b/w frontispiece.

 
We followed this 1929 first edition.

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