Launched in 1969 (presumably in response to the growing popularity of Tolkien's works), the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series reissued a number of works of fantasy literature, which were out of print or dispersed in back issues of pulp magazines (or otherwise not easily available in the United States), in cheap paperback form — including works by authors such as Lord Dunsany, Ernest Bramah, Hope Mirrlees, and James Branch Cabell. Each book was published by Ballantine Books, with an introduction by Lin Carter, the series editor. Some new fantasy works were also published. The series lasted until 1974. J. R. R. Tolkien in 1916, wearing his British Army uniform in a photograph from the middle years of WW1. ... For other definitions of fantasy see fantasy (psychology). ... Best known as Lord Dunsany, Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany (July 24, 1878–October 25, 1957) was an Irish writer and dramatist notable for his work in fantasy and horror. ... Ernest Bramah Smith (1868-1942) was a British author. ... Helen Hope Mirrlees (1887-1978) was a British translator, poet and novelist. ... James Branch Cabell photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1935 James Branch Cabell (April 14, 1879 - May 5, 1958) was an American author of fantasy fiction and belles lettres. ... Ballantine Books, founded in 1952 by Ian Ballantine, is a major book publisher and is currently owned by Random House. ... Linwood Vrooman Carter (June 9, 1930 - February 7, 1988) was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. ...
During the early 1950s, Ballantine attracted attention as one of the leading publishers of paperback science fiction and fantasy.
In 1969 Ballantine launched the BallantineAdultFantasyseries under the editorship of Lin Carter, which brought a number of rare titles back into print, as well as launching Katherine Kurtz's Deryni series.
Ballantine's logo is a pair of mirrored letter "B"'s back to back (similar to the center of the ABBA logo).
The brainchild of Betty Ballantine and her husband Ian, the series was edited by Lin Carter who was brought onto the project due to his in-depth knowledge and love of the genre.
Unlike the successful Tolkien titles (which inspired the creation of the FantasySeries) the series at best enjoyed mediocre sales, which makes the five year run all the more impressive (I believe the Ballantine's felt the series was a "good thing" and continued on despite the sales numbers.
Something else worth noting is THE LAST UNICORN and THE MEZENTIAN GATE state "A BALLANTINEADULTFANTASY" on the front cover by the spine in their first printings, in apparent anticipation of the start of the series proper (the agreement for Carter to edit the Series having been signed 11/22/68).
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