The CBS Radio Workshop aired “The Space Merchants” Parts 1 & 2 on February 17 & 24, 1957. It was first serialized in the June, July and August 1952 issues of Galaxy under the title Gravy Planet, then saw print in book form (both hardcover and paperback) with its current title from Ballantine in May of 1953. Pohl had written a draft, which he then gave to Kornbluth to look over. Kornbluth added a middle section, Pohl finished it up and did the final revisions, but was hard pressed to find a book publisher until he met Ian Ballantine who was looking for titles for his new publishing company. The rest is history. Praised by many critics as a brilliant satire on consumerism and the advertising industry–among its other virtues–Pohl estimates it has sold around 10 million copies in 25 languages.

(Cover above left: 1st edition Ballantine hardcover, May 1953. Photo above right: Pohl & Kornbluth)

“The Space Merchants” — Part 1

Play Time: 23:55

“The Space Merchants” — Part 2

Play Time: 23:51

(Covers below: June, July, and August 1952 issues of Galaxy)