Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan: A Nearly-Complete Set of the 1960s Paperbacks

Ten things you didn't know about "Tarzan":



1. The CHARACTER of Tarzan is in the public domain in the US, but the name "Tarzan" itself is still protected as a trademark of Burroughs' estate, so you can write Tarzan stories but can't use his name.



2. Tarzan in the books is a year younger than Jane.



3. Tarzan's name means "White Skin" in the ape language. 




4. The first (human) language Tarzan learned to speak was French.






5. After Tarzan saves Jane in the books [SPOILER ALERT!] she leaves and Tarzan has to track her down IN WISCONSIN. That's right. TARZAN visited WISCONSIN. How have I lived in Wisconsin for 49 years and never known that? That should BE ON OUR LICENSE PLATES.

6. Among the things Tarzan stumbles across in Africa are: A lost valley where dinosaurs live, "ant people" who are 1/4 the size of Tarzan, and various hidden colonies of European knights and Roman society.



7. After Burroughs died, Tarzan books authored by a "Barton Werper" were released; the Burroughs' estate sued and the books were taken off the market. "Werper" was a pseudonym for two authors, Peter Scott and Peg O'Neill Scott.






8. The books have affected the Hebrew language: the Hebrew word "tarzan" meant a dandy or a fop; after Tarzan of the Apes became popular Hebrew speakers eventually dropped the use of their own word.


9. Edgar Rice Burroughs was actually a corporation: he formed a corporation to publish his books for tax and control purposes. 

10. Burroughs was at one point so poor and unsuccessful that he sought work in the Chinese army. His application for a commission was rejected. That led to a job trying to find sales agents for lead pencil sharpeners; during the slow times at that job he wrote his first story.

About the books: Nearly complete set of #Burroughs Tarzan Ballantine books.

Most 2nd printing 1963 but 2 first print 1963 and some 1st print 64 or 65. Good condition. Missing 8, 16, and 20 out of 1 thru 24.

 One cover has slight white tear. Otherwise good condition mostly shelf wear. $5 per book or whole set for $100.