Sell Your Isaac Asimov Books — ABQ Value Guide (2026)
Foundation, I, Robot, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, The Caves of Steel, The End of Eternity, Pebble in the Sky, and the complete Asimov science fiction canon
Isaac Asimov · 1920–1992
Isaac Asimov is the most important science fiction author of the twentieth century by volume, influence, and collector demand. Between 1950 and 1992, he published more than 500 books spanning science fiction, popular science, mystery, and literary criticism. His Foundation trilogy and Robot series defined the genre. For collectors and dealers, the critical distinction is between Gnome Press first editions from the early 1950s — which are genuinely rare and valuable — and the Doubleday editions, later reprints, and mass market paperbacks that fill most shelves. If you have Asimov books to sell in Albuquerque, this guide will help you understand what you own, what it is worth, and how to sell it.
I handle Asimov collections regularly — everything from single Gnome Press first editions worth thousands of dollars to complete shelf runs of Doubleday hardcovers and Bantam paperbacks. Whether you inherited a collection from a Los Alamos scientist, are downsizing a lifelong science fiction library, or found a box of old hardcovers in a closet, I can evaluate what you have for free. I don't buy books — but I won't let you give away something genuinely valuable without knowing; I'll tell you what it is and where to sell it. And if you'd rather just have the whole collection gone, I'll come to you and take it as a free donation pickup. Call or text 702-496-4214 for a free evaluation, or drop books at our 24/7 bin at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, Albuquerque, NM 87107.
Last verified May 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred
Pillar Contents
Why Isaac Asimov books are collectible
Asimov occupies a unique position in science fiction collecting. He is one of the “Big Three” alongside Arthur C. Clarke and Robert A. Heinlein, and his Foundation series regularly appears on best-of-all-time lists. The original Foundation trilogy — Foundation (1951), Foundation and Empire (1952), and Second Foundation (1953) — won a special Hugo Award in 1966 as the best all-time science fiction series, beating out Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. That award cemented the trilogy’s place at the top of the collector hierarchy.
What makes Asimov first editions particularly valuable is the publishing history. The earliest Asimov novels and story collections were published by Gnome Press, a small specialty publisher based in New York that operated from 1948 to 1958. Gnome Press print runs were tiny — often 4,000 to 5,000 copies for a first printing. The publisher struggled financially throughout its existence, and many copies were sold without dust jackets or were remaindered. Surviving copies in fine condition with intact dust jackets are genuinely scarce. A 1951 Gnome Press first edition of Foundation in a near-fine dust jacket routinely sells for mid-to-upper four-figure range, and exceptional copies have exceeded five-figure territory at auction.
The Robot series occupies the second tier of Asimov collectibility. I, Robot (1950, Gnome Press) is the key title — the collection of nine short stories that introduced the Three Laws of Robotics and established the template for virtually all subsequent robot fiction. Gnome Press first editions of I, Robot in jacket trade between low four-figure territory and upper four-figure territory. The Robot novels — The Caves of Steel (1954) and The Naked Sun (1957) — were published by Doubleday and are more accessible to collectors, typically low-to-mid three-figure territory in jacket for true first editions.
Asimov’s later Foundation and Robot novels from the 1980s and early 1990s — Foundation’s Edge (1982), The Robots of Dawn (1983), Robots and Empire (1985), Foundation and Earth (1986), Prelude to Foundation (1988), and Forward the Foundation (1993, posthumous) — were published by Doubleday in much larger print runs. First editions of these titles are collectible but not scarce, typically two-figure range unsigned in jacket. The market values the early Gnome Press and 1950s Doubleday editions far above anything published after 1970.
Gnome Press first editions — the crown jewels
Gnome Press was founded by Martin Greenberg (not to be confused with the later anthologist) and David Kyle in 1948. It was one of the first specialty science fiction publishers, and it brought out book editions of stories that had originally appeared in Astounding Science Fiction magazine. The Gnome Press editions of Asimov are the true first book editions of these works, even though the stories had appeared in magazines years earlier. Understanding Gnome Press is essential to evaluating any Asimov collection.
Gnome Press had a troubled relationship with its authors over royalty payments. Asimov himself documented his frustrations with the publisher. By the late 1950s, Asimov had moved entirely to Doubleday, and Gnome Press ceased operations in 1958. The result is that Gnome Press editions exist in small numbers, were not consistently well-produced, and surviving copies in collectible condition are rare. Here are the key Gnome Press Asimov titles.
I, Robot
1950 · Gnome PressAsimov’s first major book publication. Nine stories introducing the Three Laws of Robotics. First edition has red cloth binding with black lettering. Dust jacket by William Stout. No “second printing” statement on copyright page. Print run approximately 5,000 copies. Value in jacket: low-to-mid four-figure range. Without jacket: three-figure territory.
Pebble in the Sky
1950 · DoubledayAsimov’s first novel, but published by Doubleday rather than Gnome Press. Set in the Galactic Empire universe. First edition has Doubleday colophon on spine. Value in jacket: mid three-figure range. This is technically not a Gnome Press title but is grouped here chronologically because it was Asimov’s first novel publication.
Foundation
1951 · Gnome PressThe crown jewel. Blue cloth binding with gold lettering on spine. Dust jacket art depicts a futuristic cityscape. No “second printing” on copyright page. Print run approximately 5,000 copies. This is the single most valuable Asimov title. Value in jacket: mid-to-upper four-figure range+. Without jacket: mid three-figure range. Exceptional copies have sold for more than five-figure territory.
Foundation and Empire
1952 · Gnome PressSecond volume of the original trilogy. Blue-green cloth binding. Contains “The General” and “The Mule” stories originally serialized in Astounding. Value in jacket: low-to-mid four-figure range. Without jacket: low-to-mid three-figure territory.
Second Foundation
1953 · Gnome PressFinal volume of the original trilogy. Black cloth binding. Completes the original Hari Seldon psychohistory arc. Value in jacket: low-to-mid four-figure range. Without jacket: low-to-mid three-figure territory.
The Currents of Space
1952 · DoubledayGalactic Empire novel. First edition by Doubleday. Value in jacket: low-to-mid three-figure range.
The Stars, Like Dust
1951 · DoubledayGalactic Empire novel. First edition by Doubleday. Value in jacket: low-to-mid three-figure range.
Doubleday hardcover first editions
After Asimov left Gnome Press, Doubleday became his primary publisher for science fiction. Doubleday editions were produced in much larger print runs and are correspondingly less scarce than Gnome Press titles. However, early Doubleday first editions from the 1950s and 1960s remain valuable, particularly in fine dust jackets. The key to Doubleday first edition identification is the copyright page: look for “First Edition” stated on the copyright page, or a number line where 1 is the lowest number present. Doubleday first editions also have a price printed on the front flap of the dust jacket — book club editions lack this price.
The Caves of Steel
1954 · DoubledayFirst Robot novel. Detective Elijah Baley and R. Daneel Olivaw. Bridges science fiction and mystery genres. Collected by both SF and mystery collectors. First edition in jacket: three-figure territory.
The Naked Sun
1957 · DoubledaySecond Robot novel. Continues the Baley/Olivaw partnership. First edition in jacket: low-to-mid three-figure territory.
The End of Eternity
1955 · DoubledayStandalone time-travel novel. Regarded as one of Asimov’s finest works. First edition in jacket: low-to-mid three-figure range. Highly sought by collectors of literary science fiction.
The Gods Themselves
1972 · DoubledayHugo, Nebula, and Locus award winner. First edition in jacket: low-to-mid three-figure territory. One of the most critically acclaimed Asimov novels.
Foundation’s Edge
1982 · DoubledayAsimov’s return to the Foundation universe after 30 years. Hugo Award winner. First edition in jacket: two-figure range. Larger print run than early titles.
Nightfall and Other Stories
1969 · DoubledayCollects the famous 1941 “Nightfall” short story, voted the best science fiction short story of all time in a 1968 SFWA poll. First edition in jacket: two-figure to three-figure range.
What the collectible titles are worth
The following categories of Asimov material are the ones worth identifying before anything leaves the house. I don't buy books — but if you have any of these, contact us at 702-496-4214 for a free evaluation, and I'll tell you what you have and where to sell it if you want to handle that yourself.
Gnome Press first editions
Any Gnome Press Asimov title in any condition. Even copies without dust jackets or with significant wear are worth evaluating. Gnome Press editions of Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, and I, Robot are always in demand. We will travel anywhere in the Albuquerque metro area to evaluate a potential Gnome Press first edition in person.
Early Doubleday hardcovers with dust jackets
Doubleday first editions from the 1950s through 1970s with intact, unclipped dust jackets. Priority titles include The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, The End of Eternity, Pebble in the Sky, The Stars, Like Dust, The Currents of Space, The Gods Themselves, and Nightfall and Other Stories. The dust jacket is critical to value — a jacketed first edition can be worth five to ten times more than the same book without a jacket.
Signed and inscribed copies
Asimov signed extensively throughout his career at conventions, lectures, and bookstore events. His signature is recognizable — a bold, flowing hand that he rarely varied. Signed copies of any Asimov title carry value, with higher premiums for signed Gnome Press and early Doubleday first editions. Inscribed copies with dated inscriptions to named recipients are particularly valuable. The same goes for Asimov-signed ephemera, including convention programs, photographs, and letters. These are exactly the pieces worth identifying before you decide what to do with a collection.
Magazine appearances — Astounding Science Fiction
The original Foundation stories, Robot stories, and most early Asimov fiction appeared first in Astounding Science Fiction (later Analog) magazine, edited by John W. Campbell. Issues containing first appearances of Foundation stories (1942–1950), Robot stories (1940–1950), and “Nightfall” (September 1941) are collectible. Individual issues range from two-figure to three-figure range depending on the story and condition. Complete year runs of Astounding from the 1940s are particularly valuable.
Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine issues
Originally titled Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, launched in 1977, this digest-format magazine ran under Asimov’s name until his death in 1992 and continues under the shortened title. Complete year runs, particularly from 1977 through the mid-1980s, are worth keeping together. Early issues and first-year runs are the most collectible. Individual issues are worth two-figure to low three-figure range each, but complete runs of 50 or more issues sell well as lots and are worth more per unit.
Later Doubleday hardcovers (1980s–1990s)
First editions of Foundation’s Edge (1982), The Robots of Dawn (1983), Robots and Empire (1985), Foundation and Earth (1986), Prelude to Foundation (1988), and Forward the Foundation (1993). These are less scarce than early titles but still collectible in fine condition with dust jackets, whether you sell them individually or keep them with a complete collection.
Asimov nonfiction science titles
Asimov wrote hundreds of popular science books for Doubleday, Basic Books, and other publishers. Early Doubleday hardcovers of titles like The Intelligent Man’s Guide to Science (1960), Asimov’s Guide to the Bible (1968–69), and Asimov’s Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (1964) are modestly collectible. First editions in jacket: two-figure to low three-figure range.
What is NOT worth much
Asimov’s books were reprinted endlessly. Most of what people find on their shelves falls into the low-value category. Understanding what is not valuable will save you time and help you focus on the pieces that matter.
Mass market paperbacks
Bantam, Del Rey, Ballantine, and Fawcett Crest paperback editions of Asimov titles were printed in the hundreds of thousands and in many cases millions. They are available everywhere for two-figure to low three-figure range each. This includes the familiar Del Rey paperbacks with Michael Whelan cover art from the 1980s and 1990s, the Bantam editions from the 1970s, and the Ballantine editions from the 1960s. We will take these as part of a larger collection but they have minimal individual resale value.
Science Fiction Book Club editions
SFBC editions are among the most commonly mistaken-for-first-editions items we see. They look similar to Doubleday editions but are printed on thinner, cheaper paper, have smaller boards, and — most importantly — have no price on the front flap of the dust jacket. If the dust jacket has no price, it is almost certainly a book club edition. SFBC editions are worth two-figure to low three-figure range each. They are not first editions and should not be represented as such.
Later hardcover reprints
Doubleday, Easton Press, and other publishers reissued Asimov titles in hardcover throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Easton Press leather-bound editions are attractive shelf pieces but are not first editions and typically sell for two-figure to low three-figure range each. Doubleday reprints with later printing statements on the copyright page are worth two-figure to low three-figure range. The Folio Society has also issued limited editions of Foundation — these are collectible in their own right but are modern reprints, not original first editions.
Reader’s Digest condensed books
Asimov stories occasionally appeared in Reader’s Digest condensed book volumes. These have no collector value. They are abridged, multi-author compilations with no relationship to the original editions.
Hardcovers without dust jackets (post-1960)
For Doubleday and later publishers, the dust jacket is where much of the collectible value resides. A 1954 Doubleday The Caves of Steel in jacket might be worth low-to-mid three-figure territory; without the jacket, the same book is worth two-figure range. If your Asimov hardcovers are ex-library copies with stamps, labels, and no jackets, they are reading copies worth two-figure to low three-figure range each. The exception is Gnome Press titles, which retain significant value even without jackets because the books themselves are so scarce.
How to identify Asimov first editions
Correctly identifying a first edition is the most important step in evaluating an Asimov book. The process differs depending on the publisher. Here is what to look for, organized by publisher.
Gnome Press first edition points
- Copyright page: No “second printing,” “third printing,” or any later printing statement. First printings simply list the copyright information and the Gnome Press imprint without any printing designation.
- Publisher identification: The copyright page lists “Gnome Press, Inc.” with a New York address. If the publisher is listed as Doubleday, it is a Doubleday edition, not a Gnome Press edition, even if it is a first edition of a different type.
- Binding colors: Each Gnome Press Asimov title has a specific first-edition binding color. Foundation: blue cloth with gold spine lettering. I, Robot: red cloth with black lettering. Foundation and Empire: blue-green cloth. Second Foundation: black cloth. Later printings sometimes used different binding colors.
- Dust jacket: First printing dust jackets have specific art and pricing. The price should be consistent with 1950s pricing (typically two-figure range.50 to two-figure range.50). If the price seems high for the era, the jacket may be from a later printing.
- Size and weight: Gnome Press books are generally standard octavo size. They should feel solid but not heavy. The paper is of good quality for the era but not as heavy as Doubleday stock.
Doubleday first edition points
- Copyright page: Look for “First Edition” stated on the copyright page. Later Doubleday editions (1970s onward) use a number line — if the number 1 is present in the line, it is a first printing. If the lowest number is 2 or higher, it is a later printing.
- Dust jacket price: A price must be printed on the front flap of the dust jacket. No price = book club edition. The price should be consistent with the publication year. A 1954 title priced at two-figure range.95 is correct; priced at two-figure range.95 is a later reprint.
- Doubleday colophon: The Doubleday anchor-and-dolphin colophon should appear on the spine. Book club editions often lack this or use a different mark.
- Paper quality: True Doubleday first editions use heavier, better-quality paper than book club editions. Compare the weight of the book in your hand — book club editions feel noticeably lighter because the paper is thinner.
- Gutter code: Some Doubleday first editions have a small letter code in the gutter (inner margin) of the last page. This is a printing identifier but is not consistently present across all titles and years.
Key titles with publisher and date reference
| Title | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Pebble in the Sky | 1950 | Doubleday |
| I, Robot | 1950 | Gnome Press |
| The Stars, Like Dust | 1951 | Doubleday |
| Foundation | 1951 | Gnome Press |
| Foundation and Empire | 1952 | Gnome Press |
| The Currents of Space | 1952 | Doubleday |
| Second Foundation | 1953 | Gnome Press |
| The Caves of Steel | 1954 | Doubleday |
| The End of Eternity | 1955 | Doubleday |
| The Naked Sun | 1957 | Doubleday |
| Nightfall and Other Stories | 1969 | Doubleday |
| The Gods Themselves | 1972 | Doubleday |
| Foundation’s Edge | 1982 | Doubleday |
| The Robots of Dawn | 1983 | Doubleday |
| Robots and Empire | 1985 | Doubleday |
| Foundation and Earth | 1986 | Doubleday |
| Prelude to Foundation | 1988 | Doubleday |
| Forward the Foundation | 1993 | Doubleday |
For detailed condition assessment of any Asimov title, see our book condition grading guide. For formal appraisals, see our book appraisal page.
The New Mexico connection
Asimov never lived in New Mexico, but his books have a deep presence in the state’s collections for reasons rooted in the scientific community. Los Alamos National Laboratory has been one of the world’s premier scientific research institutions since the Manhattan Project. The physicists, chemists, engineers, and mathematicians who worked at LANL from the 1940s through the present were overwhelmingly science fiction readers. Asimov, who held a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University and wrote with scientific rigor, was the favorite author of an entire generation of Los Alamos scientists. Many of them acquired Asimov first editions as they were published, building personal libraries that span the full arc of his career from the early 1950s through the early 1990s.
Asimov visited Los Alamos and lectured at New Mexico universities during his extensive speaking career. He was a fixture on the science lecture circuit and appeared at institutions across the country, including stops in New Mexico. These visits occasionally resulted in signed copies that surface in local collections. Inscribed copies with LANL or university associations carry a provenance premium because they connect the book to the scientific community that most deeply engaged with Asimov’s ideas.
Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque follows the same pattern. Sandia engineers and researchers built personal science fiction libraries alongside their technical libraries. As these scientists retire, downsize, or pass away, their collections surface in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Los Lunas, and the surrounding communities. We see Asimov collections from LANL and Sandia estates regularly. The typical pattern is a shelf of Doubleday hardcover first editions acquired over decades, often in good to very good condition because the owner was a careful reader who valued books. Occasionally, a collection includes Gnome Press editions acquired in the 1950s — these are the collections where significant value can be hiding on the shelf.
The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and New Mexico Tech in Socorro also have significant communities of science fiction readers whose personal libraries include Asimov. UNM’s Zimmerman Library holds Asimov titles in its collection, and the Albuquerque used book market has historically been strong for science fiction. Local bookstores like Page One Books, Bookworks, and the former Bookman’s have served generations of Albuquerque SF readers. If you are selling a collection that came from a Los Alamos or Sandia household, there is a good chance it contains valuable Asimov material. Contact us for a free evaluation.
Pricing and condition notes
Condition is the primary driver of value for Asimov first editions, particularly for the Gnome Press titles where the difference between a fine copy in jacket and a good copy without jacket can be a factor of ten. Here is a general pricing framework, but every book is evaluated individually based on its specific condition.
Tier 1: Gnome Press first editions in dust jacket
Foundation (1951): mid-to-upper four-figure range+. I, Robot (1950): low-to-mid four-figure range. Foundation and Empire (1952): low-to-mid four-figure range. Second Foundation (1953): low-to-mid four-figure range. These are auction-level prices for copies in very good to fine condition. If you have a Tier 1 title, this is the kind of piece worth selling yourself — a specialist dealer or auction house is the right venue, and I'm happy to point you to one.
Tier 2: Gnome Press without jacket / early Doubleday in jacket
Gnome Press titles without dust jackets: three-figure territory depending on title and condition. Early Doubleday first editions (1950s) in jacket: three-figure territory. The Caves of Steel, The End of Eternity, Pebble in the Sky, and The Naked Sun are the key titles in this tier.
Tier 3: Mid-period Doubleday (1960s–1970s)
The Gods Themselves: low-to-mid three-figure territory. Nightfall and Other Stories: two-figure to three-figure range. Other Doubleday first editions from this period: two-figure to low three-figure range in jacket. These are solidly collectible but not scarce.
Tier 4: Late Doubleday (1980s–1990s)
Foundation’s Edge, The Robots of Dawn, Foundation and Earth, Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation: two-figure range unsigned in jacket. Signed copies: solid two-figure to low three-figure range. These were printed in large runs and are readily available.
Use the book condition grading guide to assess where your copies fall before reaching out. For a walkthrough of the sell-or-donate decision, see our decision guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most valuable Isaac Asimov book?
How do I identify a Gnome Press first edition?
Are Isaac Asimov signed books valuable?
Are my Asimov paperbacks worth anything?
What about Science Fiction Book Club editions of Asimov?
Do you take Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine issues?
Why do Asimov collections appear in Albuquerque and Los Alamos?
How do I sell my Asimov book collection in Albuquerque?
What Asimov titles beyond Foundation and Robot are collectible?
Should I get my Asimov books appraised before selling?
Have an Isaac Asimov collection to sell?
Free pickup in Albuquerque and the Rio Grande corridor. I come to the house, I sort and grade the collection, I handle every title — the common reading copies, the mid-tier Doubleday firsts, and the pillar-tier Gnome Press first editions. No stress, no donation-center triage, no trip to Goodwill.
Call or text 702-496-4214 for a free evaluation. Email us at jseldred@gmail.com. Or drop books off any time at the 24/7 bin: 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, Albuquerque, NM 87107.