The 2025 HUGO Award

In honor of Jules Verne, and in keeping with the 83rd Worldcon held in Seattle, Washington, the 2025 Hugo Award base is a scale model of Mount Rainier upon which the rocket has touched down.

The wood portion of the base is carved in Poplar; 2.625" x 6" diameter (5cm x 15.24cm). The mountain surface is dappled green and white depicting the trees and snow cap.

Atop the carved base is a blown glass mountain surrounding the Hugo Rocket fins. Its coloring echoes that of the carved wood mountain contained within. In order to pass the fins through the glass, we employed a waterjet cutter to carve an X-shaped slot at the apex.

Secreted within the base opposite the plaque is an LED lighing unit to illuminate the glass mountain from within.

Upon first tests of the glass mountain, we determined that the mountain surface as originally designed was too rough. Although it did have its good qualities and was very beautiful, it did not allow the carved mountain to be viewed through it with sufficient level of detail. Shifting gears, as is often the case in creative endeavors, we opted for a smoother glass surface than the higher fidelity mountain we started with. This allowd a more clear view of the carved wood mountain beneath that we had put so much effort into achieving. A good choice. The loss of that would have been tragic.

The rocket is attached with a standard 5/16-18 x 2" socket head cap screw through the upper base section. Very snug and stable while assembled, the rocket is easily removable for safe transport.

While not fragile, proper care should always be taken with anything of value. The entire assembly weighs 3.375 lbs. (1.53 kg), so due care should be used when lifting the award. Even though it is a tempting "handle", do not lift the award by the rocket alone. If nothing else, you'll get fingerprints all over its highly polished surface. Always hold the award by its base and steady the rocket with your other hand.

If you are a recipient, please consult the Assembly Instructions for detailed information and care.

As is the case with all of our prestigious award creations, each sculpture is an individual; hand-crafted with care by experienced craftsmen. While adhering to the overall concept, each base will exhibit slight variations; allowing the personality that can only be borne in a handmade work of art to emerge and shine through.

Joy and I are honored to have created award sculptures and large commissions for many great individuals over the years. This Hugo Award stands among the best. Always thought I might win one someday. Now I have—for myself in the most special way—I actually helped design and create it. And now there's two of them.

Herewith, we present our unveiling video that tells a brief visual story of who we are, what we do and, in the telling, just a hint of the seeming inevitability of this coming true.

If you have hardware or an Internet connection that may have trouble with 1920x1080p HD videos, to help you have a good experience we have encoded a 1280x720p HD version that isn't as taxing.

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