Hannes Bok - Childhood's End - Famous Fantastic Mysteries - April 1950

Hannes Bok double title page spread for "Guardian Angel" by Sir Arthur C. Clarke which was published in the pulp Famous Fantastic Mysteries - April 1950. Not only is this illustration a great piece of art, but it illustrates one of the great novels in all of science fiction, "Childhood's End." Let me explain.

"Childhood's End" began life as a short story entitled "Guardian Angel." Clarke's idea for the book began with his short story "Guardian Angel" (published in New Worlds #8, Winter 1950 and then printed in FFM - April 1950), which he expanded into a novel in 1952, incorporating it as the first part of the book, "Earth and the Overlords". Completed and published in 1953, Childhood's End sold out its first printing, received good reviews and became Clarke's first successful novel. The book is often regarded by both readers and critics as Clarke's best novel and is described as "a classic of alien literature".

It really is wonderful in this hobby when you find a painting or illustration that is not just great art, but which also illustrates an acknowledged classic tale in the genre!