pyramid

Pyramid was the paperback label of the Almat Publishing Company, which also printed such magazines as Challenge, Mechanics Today and Men’s Magazine. While Pyramid, which still survives today, changed in nature over the decades, the early years seem to be distinctly targeted at male audiences (as was characterized by the company’s choice of periodicals). The content included primarily adventure, westerns, crime fiction, sleaze, and science fiction. Early on, there were very few romances or other genres that would normally appeal to the traditional female reader of the time. This trend would change dramatically in the late 1960's and 70's, and there would eventually be many Gothic Romances in the lineup.

The first Pyramid book was number 11, printed in 1949; and the first couple hundred were standard-format 25¢ books, with 35¢ G-series Pyramid Giants and 50¢ R-series books interspersed. In 1956, Pyramid switched to the tall format, but maintained the sequence. In 1957, the company began a new sequential Pyramid Royal line of non-fiction and classic titles, but only about 40 were published.

The cover art was commissioned from leading paperback artists of the time, such as Robert Maguire and Lou Marchetti, and they are considered some of the best of the vintage era by collectors.

NOTE: Pyramid Willow, Hi-Lo, World of Science and others are included in the "PG/PR series" folder.

This page was updated in June 2021