H. R. Giger’s Necronomicon (First Edition 1977)

Publisher Sphinx Verlag H. R. Giger Necronomicon
H. R. Gigers Necronomicon
Art work from H. R. Giger's Book Necronomicon
Colour images from H. R. Giger's Art in Necronomicon
Pages from H. R. Giger's Necronomicon
Small tear on back page
Edge wezr Necronomicon
edges wear H. R. Gigers Necronomicon
Publisher Sphinx Verlag H. R. Giger Necronomicon
H. R. Gigers Necronomicon
Art work from H. R. Giger's Book Necronomicon
Colour images from H. R. Giger's Art in Necronomicon
Pages from H. R. Giger's Necronomicon
Small tear on back page
Edge wezr Necronomicon
edges wear H. R. Gigers Necronomicon

H. R. Giger’s Necronomicon (First Edition 1977)

A$750

H. R. Giger’s Necronomicon (1977), First Edition published by Sphinx Verlag in Basel, is the seminal art book that directly led to his involvement in Ridley Scott’s Alien. It contains the painting Necronom IV, which inspired the xenomorph design.

Condition: Covers show minimal wear around the edges with scratches on the back cover. This edition with 82 pages is in very good condition, except for the last two pages which has a small 5mm tear on the inside edge (see images). However, the binding has loosened over time, and the pages have detached cleanly from the spine (a common problem with this version as the pages were only glued onto the spine).

This copy remains ideal for archival preservation, study, or framing, and retains its full visual and historical impact.

Overview of Necronomicon (1977 Edition)

  • Title: Necronomicon

  • Artist: H. R. Giger

  • Publisher: Sphinx Verlag, Basel

  • Year: 1977

  • Format: Large-format softcover approx. 42cm x 30cm

  • Language: Primarily German (English translations appeared in later editions)

Content:

  • Surreal, biomechanical airbrush paintings

  • Erotic and nightmarish imagery

  • Includes Necronom IV, the painting that caught Ridley Scott’s attention and led to Giger’s recruitment for Alien

  • Themes of birth, death, sexuality, and machine-organism hybrids

Influence on the movie Alien (1979)

  • Ridley Scott was shown Necronomicon during pre-production.

  • The xenomorph, facehugger, and derelict ship interiors were all influenced by Giger’s biomechanical style.

  • Giger was hired to design the creatures and sets, winning an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

Collector Notes

  • The 1977 Sphinx Verlag edition is highly collectible and often out of print.

Necronomicon (1977) — H. R. Giger

Published by Sphinx Verlag, Basel

A landmark in surrealist and biomechanical art, Necronomicon (1977) – H. R. Giger’s is the first comprehensive monograph of the Swiss artist’s hauntingly erotic and nightmarish visions. This original edition, published by Sphinx Verlag in Basel, showcases Giger’s signature airbrush technique and introduces the world to his fusion of flesh and machine—imagery that would soon define the aesthetic of Ridley Scott’s Alien.

First Edition Sphinx Verlag, Basel

A cornerstone of 20th-century surrealism and the genesis of cinematic biomechano-horror, this first edition of H. R. Giger’s Necronomicon presents the Swiss artist’s most provocative and influential works in their original form. Published in Basel by Sphinx Verlag in 1977, the volume showcases Giger’s pioneering airbrush technique and his fusion of organic and mechanical forms—imagery that would soon define the visual language of Ridley Scott’s Alien.

This edition includes the now-legendary Necronom IV, the painting that inspired the xenomorph design and led to Giger’s Oscar-winning collaboration on the film. The book’s large-format presentation and monochromatic palette intensify its themes of transformation, eroticism, and existential dread.

Among its most iconic works is Necronom IV, the painting that directly inspired the design of the xenomorph. The book’s pages are filled with monochromatic dreamscapes, anatomical hybrids, and psychosexual symbolism, offering a visceral exploration of birth, death, and transformation.

Features:

  • 41 pages with art illustrations on both sides 82 pages
  • Large format softcover42cm x 30cm
  • German-language text with artist commentary
  • Includes early concept art later adapted for Alien (1979)
  • A foundational volume for collectors of surrealism, horror, and cinematic design

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