# SF spaceship illustrations artist (book) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 11, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083 "2009-08-11T17:37:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/1 "2009-08-11T17:37:59Z")
Recently while looking at old SF I was reminded of the illustrations of spaceships that decorated covers in the eighties, which led to me remembering a book of such illustrations. The book purported to be a catalogue/overview of historic military spaceships, with descriptions and fake specifications. It was quite beautifully done. The particular style of illustration was quite popular at the time. I’ve tried to find the book’s title/author but haven’t been able to. The illustrations looked like those of Chris Foss ([example 1](http://www.flickr.com/photos/lnsn/3624793270/), [example 2](http://www.chrisfossart.com/Spaceship_s/2.htm)). However, he doesn’t seem to have done a book as described. There are apparently artists with similar styles (Eddie Jones for example). Anyone have an idea what the book/illustrator might have been? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/2 "2009-08-11T17:52:53Z")
Can’t help with the book but you might find this site interesting. [Starship Dimensions](http://www.merzo.net/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/3 "2009-08-11T17:58:31Z")
All I can tell you is that I think I remember the book you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/4 "2009-08-11T18:06:58Z")
While I don’t have any answer to your question, I must say thanks for bringing this up. I’d been recollecting on a similar book to the one you’re describing, with lots of art similar to the [Chris Foss](http://www.sci-fi-o-rama.com/category/artist/chris-foss/) stuff you linked to. I seem to recall seeing it in the late 70’s/early 80’s as a large-ish picture book at our local K-Mart. I wasn’t having any luck finding the book, and was contemplating throwing out a question here in CS, but didn’t feel I had enough info for anyone to go on. Some more examples of this kinda stuff (which I like): [Chris Moore](http://www.sci-fi-o-rama.com/category/artist/chris-moore/) [Jim Burns](http://www.sci-fi-o-rama.com/category/artist/jim-burns/) ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/5 "2009-08-11T18:47:16Z")
Was this it? [Soacecraft: 2000-2100 AD](http://www.amazon.com/Spacecraft-2000-2100-D-Stewart-Cowley/dp/0890092117) by Stewart Cowley. I used to have it (and several sequels) but gave them away several moves back when I had to thin my library down dramatically. I thought they were quite cleverly done. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/6 "2009-08-11T19:04:53Z")
**taanstaafl,** I don’t know if you’re responding to me or the OP, but I think you nailed it. Mr. Cowley’s _Spacewreck_ looks hauntingly familiar. The art style is almost dead-on from what I (think I) remember, as well as the recommended selections Amazon’s throwing in as well. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/7 "2009-08-11T20:29:20Z")
I’m almost sure I know the book you mean, too - and about three years after I read it, someone got me a birthday card with the picture “Premature Ignition” on it, which was in the collection in question. (I _think_ the ship might have been called “Cutlass” in the book, and was shown taking off too early from a refuelling station.) ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/8 "2009-08-11T20:48:28Z")
Perhaps you are thinking of John Berkey. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/9 "2009-08-11T20:50:03Z")
Wow. I remember that book. The ships on the back cover are _Minnow_ class. I can’t believe I remembered that. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/10 "2009-08-11T22:26:04Z")
This is what you are after, The **Terran Trade Authority** lives again. I have all for books they are amoung my prized possessions. [http://www.khantazi.org/Rec/TTABooks/TTABooks.html](http://www.khantazi.org/Rec/TTABooks/TTABooks.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/11 "2009-08-11T22:35:16Z")
> [@tanstaafl](#): > > Was this it? [Soacecraft: 2000-2100 AD](http://www.amazon.com/Spacecraft-2000-2100-D-Stewart-Cowley/dp/0890092117) by Stewart Cowley. > > I used to have it (and several sequels) but gave them away several moves back when I had to thin my library down dramatically. I thought they were quite cleverly done. I got that. Nice art. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sf-spaceship-illustrations-artist-book/506083/12 "2009-08-12T05:43:02Z")
Yes, that’s it! These are the exact books I remembered (had forgotten there were more of them). Thanks!