A House Name created by Gordon Landsborough, editor of Authentic Science Fiction, and used almost exclusively by UK writer Robert George Sharp (1902-1967) for novels published in that journal, which for some time early in its run filled each issue with one long story (in this encyclopedia, one-story issues are treated as books). The Old Growler space exploration series, beginning with Reconnoitre Krellig II (1951), was signed as by Deegan, and various sequels (all written by Sharp) were published, either as one-story issues, or as original volumes. This series predated and was more plausible than the original Star Trek, portraying a mothership sending out small scout vessels and unmanned probes rather than beaming down the ship's captain. For a brief year or so Deegan's mix of likable characters, simple science and moral principles (e.g. forbidding the use of superior Weapons against Alien natives) stood out as a readers' favourite and a rare demonstration that UK paperback sf of the time was not necessarily dated or amateurish. However, repetitive plotting ensured that rising standards elsewhere soon eclipsed the modest virtues of the series, which closed with the out-of-sequence novelette "The Lights of Anker-Mo" (October 1957 Authentic).
Sharp wrote also the Corridors of Time Time-Travel trilogy, Corridors of Time (1953), Beyond the Fourth Door (1954) and Exiles in Time (1954). Of further Deegan titles, Underworld of Zello (1952) is by Sharp. [JC/DR]
Robert George Sharp
born Boston, Lincolnshire: 1902
died Birmingham, England: 1967
works
Old Growler
- Reconnoitre Krellig II (London: Hamilton and Co/Authentic, 1951) by Robert George Sharp [whole issue of Authentic Science Fiction: Old Growler: pb/D L W]
- Old Growler: Spaceship No 2213 (London: Hamilton and Co/Authentic, 1951) by Robert George Sharp [whole issue of Authentic Science Fiction: Old Growler: pb/D L W]
- Old Growler and Orbis (London: Hamilton and Co/Authentic, 1951) by Robert George Sharp [whole issue of Authentic Science Fiction: Old Growler: pb/D L W]
- Planet of Power (London: Hamilton and Co/Authentic, 1951) by Robert George Sharp [whole issue of Authentic Science Fiction: Old Growler: pb/George Ratcliffe]
- The Singing Spheres (London: Hamilton and Co/Authentic, 1952) by Robert George Sharp [whole issue of Authentic Science Fiction: Old Growler: pb/Gordon C Davies]
- Amateurs in Alchemy (London: Panther, 1952) by Robert George Sharp [Old Growler: pb/Gordon C Davies]
- Underworld of Zello (London: Hamilton and Co/Panther, 1952) by Robert George Sharp [Old Growler: pb/Gordon C Davies]
- Antro, the Life-Giver (London: Panther, 1953) by Robert George Sharp [Old Growler: hb/]
- The Great Ones (London: Panther, 1953) by Robert George Sharp [Old Growler: hb/]
Corridors of Time
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