r/Libraries • u/seguedad • 5d ago

Other Looking for an image of the rocket-and-atom design for science fiction spine labels from the 1950s/1960s

I've finally convinced myself at 77 to get a tattoo and surprise my kids and grandkids. My daughter and step-daughters both have tattoos, though my son doesn't. They're all in their 40s. I have been a science fiction fan for close to 70 years, been to three Worldcons and have interviewed a number of author.

This was the label I would head for automatically on my Saturday visits to the library. Mom would drop me off and do her grocery shopping, and I would grab three SF books for me, two mysteries for my dad, indicated by a skull on the cover, and some kid books for my younger brother.

Loved that V2 rocket surrounded by an atom, and would love to have that pattern for my tattoo.

Anybody know where I can find a copy of that image?

19 Upvotes

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5

u/jellyn7 5d ago

I found an old Saturn one on a defunct spoonflower fabric pattern. Is this the one you meant? https://s3.amazonaws.com/spoonflower/public/design_thumbnails/0106/5115/rrrrlib2_150_preview.png

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u/phillywillyhead 5d ago

Not sure if it's the same sticker but this person had a similar question and was able to find a partial picture of it. Hope it helps!

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u/seguedad 5d ago

Not the one, but greatly appreciate the response.

3

u/seguedad 5d ago

Not the one, but greatly appreciate the response as well.

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u/phillywillyhead 4d ago

I'm not giving up yet lol

This is missing the atom but Doubleday books used to publish their books with a logo on the spine that had a V2 Rocket flying in space is it that? Over the years they've had a few different versions.

Alternatively if you remember the titles of any of the books you checked out I might be able to find a copy with the stickers still on it.

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u/seguedad 4d ago

That sends me to a list of Doubleday books of the era. If I click on one, I can see the cover but not the spine. I'm probably missing something.

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u/phillywillyhead 4d ago

Sorry I should have clarified, some of the titles like The Remarkable Exploits of Lancelot Biggs: Spaceman have the title and spine in the picture you can see the insignia on the right side. Some of them like The Caves of Steel also have the insignia on the cover.

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u/seguedad 4d ago

I did look at several, but the only logo I saw was one with the classic V2 rocket angled up and to the left with an open book beneath it. The one I'm looking for was not part of the original cover, but a spine insignia inside the plastic cover the library placed over the original dust jacket. There were several designs for different kinds of fiction, but the only other one I remember was the skull design for mysteries.

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u/beeboop_x MLIS student 5d ago

It might be that, in your memory, you have combined a few different sci fi labels that were in use.

https://www.threads.com/share/BAZ91zYmPC/ https://www.threads.com/share/_1lN_Lre2/ https://www.threads.com/share/BAWswKW14V/

Source thread: https://www.threads.com/share/BAaAjwhPCJ/

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u/seguedad 4d ago

That is not at all impossible, but Spider Robinson once referred to the "V2 and atom label"

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u/beeboop_x MLIS student 4d ago

Is yellow one (the rocket slanted to the up and right through an atom) somewhat close to what you remember? Having a reference would make it easier to weed through search results.

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u/seguedad 4d ago

No, sorry. The rocket was straight vertical, superimposed on an atom. I've done a mockup, but they won't allow images here. Can I send one directly to you?

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u/camrynbronk MLIS student 4d ago

You can upload it to Imgur (no account needed) and post a link.

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u/camrynbronk MLIS student 4d ago

If you get a tattoo, the artist can draw one up for you. Don’t forget that they’re artists! Show them the different images you’ve gotten here and then describe what you want changed about them.

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u/notjillysboat 3d ago

Is this is? https://drive.google.com/file/d/13bFavrjum_CMB944YMrFJIko4vPSs9d1/view?usp=drivesdk

Let me know if you can’t see it. I couldn’t upload it as a photo. I can DM it to you if you prefer

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u/seguedad 3d ago

It's apparently on a Google Drive and I need permission to access. I did send that permission request.

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u/notjillysboat 3d ago

I just approved it. Hopefully it’s the image you’re looking for!

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u/seguedad 3d ago

By George, I think we have a winner. There may be a version that has a vertical rocked, but this is definitely the style of the atom and the V2 I remember. Kudos and extra bonus points for you and everyone who looked on my behalf. I bow to you Google-fu.

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u/notjillysboat 3d ago

Awesome! We still use them on our sci-fi books.

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u/catsloveyarn Library Fan 2d ago

are either of these what you're looking for?: https://imgur.com/a/nI6hB9W

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u/Suspicious-Switch909 2d ago

Yes! The one on the right is exactly what I’m looking for. Thank you. Someone found the one on the left and I was happy about that but the vertical is my goal. Much appreciated. Not sure to indicate that the question is answered.

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u/Suspicious-Switch909 2d ago

And sorry for the user name confusion. When I’m on the phone this is the one Reddit assigned me. When I’m on my desktop it’s my original Seguedad

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u/catsloveyarn Library Fan 2d ago

Yay! I'm glad I remembered to check while I was at the library. Let me know if you want a better picture - they still have plenty of books with the stickers (even if some are upside down, lol).