Jack Vance was born in California in 1916 (d. 2013), published his first story in 1945. Vance's work defies easy description; his highly literate style is not what most science fiction readers expect. His work has won many awards, including two Hugos, a Nebula, the World Fantasy Award, an Edgar (for mystery) and the SFWA Grandmaster award for his lifetime of work.

(From Jack Vance)

In an unusual tribute to Vance, his entire output of stories and novels is being collected in the Vance Integral Edition, a volunteer effort by hundreds of fans.

Single Seat Scooter
A self-service monocycle.

The Star King (1964)

Skin Toning
Using artificial means to effect a temporary change in skin color.

The Star King (1964)

Solar Sail (Light Sail) - propulsion for spacecraft
A form of propulsion for spacecraft; a sheet of lightweight material reflects light from the sun or other light source.

Sail 25 (1962)

Spray-On Clothing Web
A 'web' clothing foundation that can be sprayed on and then molded by a couturier.

Abercrombie Station (1952)

Spray-On Gloves
Fashionable evening gloves that are sprayed onto the hand and arm.

Abercrombie Station (1952)

Stick-Tight
A general term for surveillance devices that will follow a subject and record speech or video.

The Star King (1964)

Stimic - instrument for cool disapproval
A musical instrument consisting of three flutelike tubes equipped with plungers; thumb and forefinger squeeze a bag to force air across the mouthpieces.

The Moon Moth (1976)

Strakh - prestige in payment
The prestige or social prominence which serves as a medium of exchange on the planet Sirene.

The Moon Moth (1976)

Surface Slider
A small, lightweight craft.

The Star King (1964)

Syrup Sac - kind of like those gravity flow beer hats
A device used to provide an efficient source of nutrition to Meks, servants of the aristocrats of Earth.

The Last Castle (1967)

Tand - an abstract venerated sculpture
A metal sculpture, made in contemplation, which has great meaning for the initiates.

The Dragon Masters (1962)

The Hub
A large space resort consisting of inhabitable bubbles in a metal framework.

Worlds of Origin (1958)

Thought Pattern Divination
Attempting to construct the thoughts of a person by imitating their actions.

The Houses of Iszm (1954)

Three Generation Work (Century Piece)
An artwork created by three consecutive generations of artists, in exactly one century.

The Sub-Standard Sardines (1949)

Trans-Space Transmission
A curious method of communication between worlds.

The Moon Moth (1976)

Tri-Type Record - 3D reduced to two
A printed card that stores information about a person, including a perfect three-dimensional representation.

The Houses of Iszm (1954)

Undersea Restaurant
A restaurant located in its entirety under the sea.

The Star King (1964)

Universal Technical Consultative Service
Interstellar travel plans calculated, reserved and confirmed.

The Star King (1964)

Walking Fort - a fort with robotic legs
A biomimetic fort based on the model of a centipede.

The Killing Machine (1964)