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SF Masterworks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SF Masterworks
A bookshelf containing every published SF Masterworks title, as of August 2025

CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
Publisher
Published1999–present
Media typePrint
No. of books
  • 83 numbered vols.
  • 196 relaunch vols.
Websitestore.gollancz.co.uk

S.F. Masterworks is a series of science fiction novel reprints published by UK-based company Orion Publishing Group, a subsidiary of Hachette UK. The series is intended for the UK and Australian markets, but many editions are distributed to the United States and Canada by Hachette Book Group. As of July 2025, there are 198 unique titles in the series, 196 of which have been printed in the relaunched series. The 200th SF Masterwork is scheduled for publication in 2026. Approximately 308 volumes, including hardcover, revised, or reprinted editions, have been published in total.

Superseding the earlier series Gollancz Classic SF (1986–1987) and VGSF Classics (1988–1990),[1] the SF Masterworks series began publication in 1999. Developed to feature important and out of print science fiction novels, the selections were described by science fiction author Iain M. Banks as "amazing" and "genuinely the best novels from sixty years of SF".[2] Many of the selections had been out of print in the United Kingdom for many years.

Its companion series include Fantasy Masterworks and Gateway Essentials.

Numbered series

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Softcover editions (1999–2007)

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Not all printings include a number stamp.[3] Some printings do not include markings or cover designs that indicate they are part of the series. In 2010, several volumes were reprinted with cover designs similar to the relaunch series however the text block remained unchanged.

  • † Hardcover editions only.
  • ^ No relaunch edition as of October 2025.

Hardcover editions (2001)

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Not all printings include a number stamp. Some printings do not include markings or cover designs that indicate they are part of the series.

Relaunch series

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A selection of titles from the series on display at a London bookshop.

Softcover editions (2010–present)

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Series features yellow–white spines, SF Masterworks marquee printed vertically atop tinted artwork, and newly typeset text. As with the numbered series, some printings do not include markings or cover designs that indicate they are part of the series.

Hardcover editions (2010–2019)

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Volumes may not indicate they are part of a series.

Forthcoming editions

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Announced editions:

Unpublished softcover editions

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The following editions were announced, but appear to have been withdrawn:

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Other series that were marketed as S.F. Masterworks by Gollancz. Some printings do not include markings or cover designs that indicate they are part of the series.

Rounded-corner editions (2006)

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A special edition collection with matte, non-glossy covers, rounded corners and minimalist cover art by Marc Adams.

Gollancz 50th Anniversary (2011)

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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gollancz imprint, Orion published ten fan-chosen editions. Each novel featured Gollancz's red-on-yellow cover design. The series was initially marketed as part the S.F. Masterworks series.

Golden Age Masterworks (2019–present)

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Initially marketed as part the S.F. Masterworks series, until adopting the name Gold Age Masterworks.

Best of the Masterworks (2022–23)

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Softcover volumes

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Hardcover volumes

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Gollancz Classic SF - 1986-1987". SFandFantasy.co.uk.
  2. ^ "Locus Online: Malcolm Edwards interview excerpts". Locus. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "The SF Masterworks: A Complete List". 12 January 2016.
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