Nanner Split said:
I've got a hardcover 76 Sci Fi Book Club edition (which I found for $1.50 in a used bookstore :D ), and I don't think there are any forewords/prefaces in it. Although it is interesting to read the character list on the dust jacket and see things like "Chewbacca the Pirate, along with his sidekick Han Solo" :P .
All the "older" paperbacks I have all have the pics and stuff. I think the one you got is the book club edition, but I may be wrong.