Joanna Russ Signed Firsts: A Reference

Joanna Russ (1937–2011) was one of the most intellectually formidable writers in science fiction — a critic, theorist, and novelist whose work permanently changed the genre’s engagement with gender, sexuality, and political power. Her masterpiece, The Female Man (1975), is one of the foundational texts of feminist science fiction. Her critical work, particularly How to Suppress Women’s Writing (1983), remains essential reading.

Collecting Overview

Russ’s collecting market is small but growing, driven by renewed academic interest and the broader cultural recognition of feminist science fiction’s importance. Her signing activity was limited — she was not a prolific convention attendee, and health problems (she suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome) restricted her public appearances in her later decades. Signed copies are genuinely scarce.

Key Titles

• The Female Man (1975) — Bantam first. The Russ trophy. Signed firsts: $200–$600.
• We Who Are About To… (1977) — Dell first. A devastating response to the “crash landing” subgenre. Signed firsts: $100–$300.
• Picnic on Paradise (1968) — Ace first. Her debut novel. Signed firsts: $75–$200.
• And Chaos Died (1970) — Ace first. Signed firsts: $50–$150.
• The Two of Them (1978) — Berkley/Putnam first. Signed firsts: $50–$150.
• How to Suppress Women’s Writing (1983) — University of Texas Press. Her most important critical work. Signed firsts: $75–$200.

Russ’s market is poised for significant growth as feminist science fiction continues to gain critical and institutional recognition.