Tuesday, September 30, 2008

JOURNAL OF THE H. P. LOVECRAFT SOCIETY (1979)


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While this is named for HPL, this particular issue was devoted to Barlow. At this time, Lovecraft had been dead over 40 years, and the late 1970's became a sort of renaissance for understanding the legends and perspectives of Lovecraft, his time, and his circle of friends and colleagues.
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JOURNAL OF THE H. P. LOVECRAFT SOCIETY. 1979 (number 2). // Richmond, CA: H. P. Lovecraft Society, 1979 (number 2) Octavo, single issue, pictorial wrappers. The whole of this issue comprises "R. H. Barlow," a illustrated biography by Kenneth Faig, Jr.

Monday, September 29, 2008

1916 Apperance of Lovecraft




THE UNITED OFFICIAL QUARTERLY - January, 1916

Featuring "THE BOOKSTALL: An Epistle to Rheinhart Kleiner, Esq. Poet-Laureate"
By H. P. Lovecraft // Rheinhart Kleiner - poet, book collector, bibliographer, amateur journalism member - was an early friend and correspondent of Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Lovecraft thought highly of Kleiner's poetry and book knowledge, paying him homage in this this two-and-a-half page dedication.

Item I-B-III-16 in S. T. Joshi's H. P. Lovecraft Bibliography // A beautifully printed journal on slick paper from handset type. // A fine copy of a journal nearly 100 years old! // These early Lovecraft appearances in this condition are rare

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Irving Binkin, Clark Ashton Smith, Jack Grill



Signed Letter from Clark Ashton Smith to Joseph J(ack). Grill, 21 November, 1951

The Grill - H. P. Lovecraft collection was one of the finest ever assembled and was purchased by bookseller Irving Binkin after Jack Grill's death in 1970. The collection was offered as a "whole" through "Mirage Press" in a special publication "A Catalog of Lovecraftiana". Jack Grill approached everyone he could find regarding Lovecraft material and eventually found his way to Clark Ashton Smith. Unfortunately I do not have the letter to CAS, but I have a response from Smith wherein he notes sending Grill "the copy of 'Leaves' and 5 of H. P. L's postcards. I can supply you with more cards at the same rate if desired".

Interesting to note that CAS did not offer Grill any letters.

The letter is signed in full "Clark Ashton Smith", and with the letter is the original envelope also signed.

The letter is in excellent condition.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

1921 NAPA Boston Convention of July




Well if the previous "Woodbee, 1922" is rare air, this one is near outer space. Photos!

Here's the seller's notes: Description:
"NATIONAL TRIBUTE" - August, 1921
Edited by E. Dorothy MacLaughlin

The National Amateur Convention in Boston, July, 1921 is the main focus of this excellent issue with five pages of commentary about Howard Phillips Lovecraft -"The time will never be when I will the less enjoy the splendidness of Howard Lovecraft. He is a big man in every way...he has proven himself to be the most human of documents...a sense of humor that is astounding, because one would doubt he possessed the gift...a man with a deep sense of honor...he is a modest man ..." - George Julian Houtain.

Many other humorous notes regarding Lovecraft and his shenannigans during the convention. There are also mentions of Sonia Green and her involvement with Lovecraft during many occasions. Photographs of Lovecraft, Sonia Greene, and James Morton, Jr., are present as well as photos of many of amateur journalisms most important members, George Houtain, William Dowdell, Dorothy MacLaughlin and others.

Nice copy of this slick-papered 'zine with string-tie still in place.
A scarce piece of Lovecraft memorabilia, especially in this condition!

Lin Carter on HP LOvecraft (1956)


Inside And Science Fiction Advertiser #15
40 pages
cover Morris Scott Dollens
artwork by Pat Patterson , Neil Austin , Lin Carter , Dan Adkins , Cindy , others
highlights:
features:
Lin Carter - HP Lovecraft The Books
Robert Bloch - Worst Foot Forward
Bob Silverberg - The First 10 Years
editorial content , cartoon gags
+ much more

Historical Note on HPL letters to REH


Signed Letter from L. Sprague de Camp to Roy A. Squires, 28 November, 1977

While he was researching his biography of Robert E. Howard ("Dark Valley Destiny") L. Sprague de Camp was able to talk to the last surviving individuals who knew Robert E. Howard personally. Obviously as relates in this letter, de Camp met a "relative" of REH's who had in their possession a collection of twenty-four postcards from H. P. Lovecraft to REH and de Camp was acting as broker in an attempt to sell the collection. As compensation deC would receive no monies, but information that he would use for his book . Being a noted specialist in Fantasy & Science Fiction - especially relating to both HPL & REH - Roy A. Squires was approached as a serious buyer. The "auction" began at $20.80 per card and unfortunately I never found out who won this collection - it was not Roy Squires!

The xerox copies of two postcards listed as "(incl.)" are not present.
Historically interesting little tidbit relating to both HPL & REH.
Nice full "L. Sprague de Camp", signature!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Lovecraft and his Fascination with Scientific Adventurism



Lovecraft was a huge fan of arctic and antarctic exploration as a teenager. He would have been about 18 during this expedition. This si a nice commemorative, and shows the public's general interest and excitement of the journey.

This item is: Robert Peary 1908-09 Arctic Expedition - PILLOW COVER. GREAT IMAGE IN EXCELLNT CONDITION

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Lovecraft in 1946 Fantasy Commentator


This contains the article on HPL: George Wetzel - Some Thoughts On The Lovecraft Pattern

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Lovecraft in Fantasy Commentator


Fantasy Commentator Vol 1 #7-1945 Lovecraft Fanzine

This one contains an article on HPL: Matthew Onderdonk - Apostle Of The Outside , William Sloane and HP Lovecraft , A Curious Affinity

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Rare Samuel Loveman signed manuscript (Understanding)


The seller (epegana) states:

Description:

"UNDERSTANDING"
ORIGINAL TYPED MANUSCRIPT SIGNED BY SAMUEL LOVEMAN & INSCRIBED "FOR CLARK" ASHTON SMITH

Samuel Loveman was a noted poet and friend to Ambrose Bierce, H. P. Lovecraft, and Clark Ashton Smith. It was Loveman who first introduced Howard Phillips Lovecraft to fellow poet Clark Ashton Smith in 1922. This typed manuscript I offer is in Sonnet format and entitled "Understanding", published in his book "The Hermaphrodite". Loveman dedicated the poem to Clark Ashton Smith as evidenced by the manuscript, although when published the dedicatee was not noted.

The manuscript is signed in full "Samuel Loveman" and other than folded for mailing is in good to very good condition.

Monday, September 22, 2008

IN MEMORIAM HOWARD PHILLIPS LOVECRAFT



Seller's Notes:
Necronomicon Press IN MEMORIAM HOWARD PHILLIPS LOVECRAFT, by W. Paul Cook, First Printing,m Limited Edition #164/475, (1977) Rare Out of Print
BOOK: Necronomicon Press (West Warwick, Rhode Island), 1977, First Printing (First Edition Thus). Reprinted by NP in 1991. Facsimile reproduction of the 1941 title of the same name, that was limited to 94 copies [Driftwind Press].Softcover Chapbook Format (Octavo ~ 8.5" x 7.5"), 76 pages. Out of print. Rare and VERY in demand.

CONDITION: Very Good Minus. Just some age wear (soiling to covers, toning, etc.).
CONTENTS: In Memoriam Howard Philips Lovecraft: W. Paul Cook

There may be those who go through life without at some time having the maddening desire to curse themselves of to seek out some acquaintance and request to be kicked where it will do the most good. I am not one of these fortunates. When Howard Philips Lovecraft died I was a great many miles from New England, my address was not widely known, and it was some time after the funeral when I received the news from several sources in one mail. Reaching into the pigeon hole of unanswered letters I pulled out not one, but three, from Lovecraft. Spreading the letters out before me, I went into a black spell of self-recrimination. It made no difference in my feelings that there was nothing in the letters requiring immediate reply. I had shown, to say the least, an unpardonable discourtesy to one of the truest gentlemen and staunchest friends I have ever known. This special limited edition of W. Paul Cook's In Memoriam: Howard Philips Lovecraft is an exact reproduction of the 1941 first printing, limited to 94 copies, and is reprinted from a copy owned by the Necronomicon Press. This printing is number 164 in a limited first edition of 475.

Samuel Loveman on HPL (1958 symposium )

Thanks to Keith for finding and sending this to us. You can catch his blog here (click). Keith is a Programmer, Harmonica player and Science Fiction Writer.

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You can see images of the symposia booklet on the blog: here, here, and here.
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LOVECRAFT AS A CONVERSATIONALIST
Samuel Loveman
---
Samuel Loveman is a man unique in the history of contemporary American literature in that he has known three of its major figures, two of them quite intimately. In his early years, he corresponded with Ambrose Bierce. In Cleveland, he became a close friend of Hart Crane. In New York City he lived for three years in close association with Lovecraft who considered Loveman to be one of the greatest poets of our time.

In 1911, Mr. Loveman brought forth a pamphlet of poems. A few years later he edited a symposium on James Branch Cabell with contributions by Mencken, Morley, Cabcll and others. Bierce’s letters to him were published under his editorship. In 1926, The Hermaphrodite was published (reprinted in 1936 as The Hermaphrodite and Other Poems). This poem is mentioned by Hart Crane in his letters and is thought to have influenced hi writing. In 1944, The Sphinx was published by the late W. Paul Cook.

Mr. Loverman has also done translations of Heine, Beudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlainc, among others.
---

At a certain gathering which Lovecraft attended, a remark was made and later printed: "And there was Howard Phillips Love- craft a-talking just like a book!"

I have in my possession some 500 folio pages of his letters, generally in his handwriting and one running to as much as sixty pages. Now, what has frequently characterized great letter writers of any period has always been their congenial ease, the fluidity and, occasionally, the enchanting gossip that permeates their writing—Madame Dc Sevigne, Horace Walpole, Thomas Gray, James Boswell, Charles Lamb, Edward Fitzgerald, and even Oscar Wilde. Premising future publication, the letters of Lovecraft would require an enormous amount of pruning and selection. Whatever their topical interest may have been at the time of writing, much appears resolved into a laborious surplusage of words, words, words. Things that arc permissablc {sic} and even add to the flavor of his fiction, freeze into an attitude in his letters. And yet, even while one is prone to condemn their verbal vomit, one must admit that sound editing and the process of still sounder omission, should free and add to the Lovecraft legend, and deliver him to posterity as he actually was—a charming companion, a wonderful human being and a loyal friend.

But the conversation of Lovecraft - the conversation! For a matter of three years and more I was actually in daily association with him —years of plenitude and literary activity; years of happiness. I can safely assert that Lovecraft’s conversation takes its place among the masters of that brilliant but difficult art. The texture of his voice was uncomfortably high and when the clement of satire or irony entered into his subject, could rise even higher. Yet, it was not, as has been asserted of Shelley, strident like "the cry of a peacock"—but capable by the merest intonation into a twist of sarcasm and of devastating confutation.

His pity for the peccadilloes of his friends or acquaintances was unswerving. I remember a specific instance where one of our friends whose predominating characteristic was that of insincerity, became involved in an incriminating. ghastly episode. Lovecraft’s remark, made with a negative gesture of both hands: “Well. only another collection of molecules!” Adding: “I pass no judgements {sic} on anyone. I take no one too seriously. Disillusion has its disadvantages, but therein lies safety.”

His appearance was frequently a shock to those who met him for the first time—the long, lean face, the extended jaw, the deadly pallor of his skin (except when it became flushed with excitement) caused him much silent embarrassment. "My one desire," he had confided to me in a subway train when a young woman steadily gave him the eye, "is to remain inconspicuous and unnoticed. If I could render myself invisible, I would gladly do so. I avoid the ordinary run of human beings and have imbibed much of the philosophy of good old Bishop Berkeley, who denied the existence of matter and even the actuality of life itself. Nothing really exists for me. Dreams provide me with a solution to the fantastic ambiguity that we choose to call life. I begin to live only when I pass through the embroidery of sleep. You, Samuelus (meaning me) place too munch stress and importance on human beings and, since this is so, you suffer. Make yourself impersonal and impervious to the mob. Deny not only contact with them but with their existence. Books and old Colonial houses are safest; they hold well their sinister and mysterious secrets. Mistrust everything except the past or antiquity."

I heard Lovecraft utter profanity on only one occasion. That was in my apartment on Columbia Heights in Brooklyn—and how he loved the lighted tier upon tier that constituted the fabulous skyline of New York! Some nondescript person had engaged him in a heated and deliberately antagonistic argument, with insistence on his own point of view. Howard's reply was succinct and blurted out like a blast of dynamite. "That’s a lot of *****!" I gasped. His antagonist colored. There was, for an instant, an ominous silence in the room. Then the conversation proceeded without interruption.

My roommate, Pat McGrath, who shared the apartment and privately called Howard a "ghoul," decided on a certain New Year's eve celebration and, so, some twenty-five of our friends were invited. Included were Mrs. Grace Crane (Hart Crane's mother, who was properly appalled at the unconventional conversation of some of our guests, and Howard P. Lovecraft. I)rinks were served and, to Lovecraft, who never even remotely tasted hard liquor, ginger-ale. Pat beckoned me into the kitchen. "Have you noticed how talkative Howard has very suddenly become?” I hadn’t, but, as we entered the room where the guests were assembled, there was Lovecraft, the very life of the party, talking, gesticulating, radiating smiles and laughter, rolling his verbal gymnastics with witticisms and even indulging in a spirited aria from Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado"—a display of exhilarating pyrotechnics that I had never seen or heard him indulge in before. Pat whispered mirthfully into my ear, "I SPIKED HIS DRINK!"

I should say that, conversationally, Lovecraft was at his best with men, rather than with women. A certain restraint and progressive hollowness entered into his addresses with the female sex. I may be mistaken, but the deferential and overwhelming politeness that he conveyed seemed always strained and faintly artificial.


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George Berkely was a key materialist philosopher. You can read about Bishop Berkeley in this wikipedia article.

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Lovecraft's Legacy: 1940

The seller of this item says

From SCIENTI-SNAPS SCI-FI/ HORROR FANZINE VOL 3 NO. 1 DATED FEBRUARY 1940. FANZINE HAS AN ARTICLE BY AUGUST DERLETH ON HIS H P LOVECRAFT "THE LOVECRAFT MEMORIAL" HIS WORK TO PUBLISH THE GREAT WORKS OF THE MASTER HORROR WRITER INCLUDING HIS JUST PUBLISHED THE OUTSIDER AND OTHERS.

{image now unavailable - unable to find it}

This is some of the text Chrispy reproduced from the image {before misplacing it}.

Scienti-Snaps, The Lovecraft Memorial, A Note On Work In Process by August Derleth and Donald Wandrei.

This is an authentic and intimate discussion of the {...} project of one of fantasy's very greatest figures, read thoughtfully .......

The appearance this month of "The Outsider and Others" by Lovecraft, represents the first tangible evidence of {...} the proposed Memorial Collection of the works of {...} Master of the macabre/ The collection, designed for {..} is to be composed of the present grouping of {...} a long study of "Supernatural Horror in Literature", {...} of collected poems, remaining stories, some collaborative {work and selected} prose non-fiction; and a third and final volume of letters.

It goes almost without saying that assimilation of {...} entailed not only great patience and dilligence, but considerable monetary expense quite apart from the time {...} The initial work of preparing manuscripts for all {... expense} of publishing "The Outsider and Others" represents {a cost ?} of $2500.00. The problem involved in the prepared {...}

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Lovecraft Fondly Remembered in Great Britain (October 19378)


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This historical note is interesting. In England, HPL was obviously well known only since only weeks after his death he's prominetly mentioned in the pages of Terrae Novae. He wasn't a household name, but he was fondly cherished by fantasy fans - even SF fans. I'm uncertain who Claire Beck was.
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"NOVAE TERRAE " - October, 1937
Edited by Maurice K. Hanson, Associate editors Edward J. Carnell and Arthur C. Clarke

The singular honor of the 1st British Fanzine goes to "Novae Terrae" founded in 1936.
"N. T." would publish the young Arthur C. Clarke, and William F. Temple - not forgetting to mentioning such British notables as Ted Carnell, D. R. Smith, Eric C. Williams, S. Youd, and young American Claire Beck brings news from back home that the Science Fiction tales of the late Howard Phillips Lovecraft (HPL had died in March of 1937) published in "Astounding" "...were shortened by more than two-thousand words"...with an additional page of commentary on Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith.A very good copy with a small moisture stain in upper right-hand corner.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Early Ad (1937) for "The Shadow Over Innsmouth"



The seller States: FANTASY MAGAZINE - January, 1937 Edited by Julius Schwartz

This excellent fanzine featured the twenty year old Robert Bloch in a humorous piece entitled, "Funtasy" wherein Bloch comments and guffaws on subjects and personalities relating to fantasy - "Zombies are people who write travel-books about Vodoo" .

Additionally there is a six-page autobiographette by Neil R. Jones a popular author of the day who primarily appeared in "Amazing Stories". Editor (and one time agent for H. P. Lovecraft) Julius Schwartz provides all the gossip and noteworthy news in the F & SF field. Speaking of Lovecraft, there is a full-page advertisement for his book "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" , "Heavy book paper cloth bound $1.00...leatherbound edition for $2.50".......anyone out there ever hear, or come across a "leatherbound" edition of this book! Telephone me immediately!!

One of the great pioneering fanzines some staining, in very good condition.

Lovecraft Appears - In the Mystery Magazines (1946)

Classic Image (1946)


Ebay Listing

While Chrispy has no real proof, one suspects the hand of Derleth. About this time Lovecraft stories begin popping up in strange places - and many, many places. Not quite ten years after HPL's death, Derleth appeared to 'own' Lovecraft stories and fed them rapidly to reprint magazines who seemed eager to have them. (Search the blog records for the many placements, or check your bibliographies).
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The ebay listing 'zine looks spectacularly different from the classic image on The Fiction Mags Index.

It was difficult to find a listing of which HPL story might be considered a 'mystery'. However the mystery (heh, pardon the obvious pun, but I couldn't resist) was solved with the table of contents below:
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Rex Stout Mystery Magazine [# 3, February 1946] (Avon Book Company, 25¢, 166pp, digest); Details taken from dealer’s catalogue on ABEBooks.
· They Can Only Hang You Once [Sam Spade] · Dashiell Hammett · ss Colliers Nov 19 ’32
· The Calico Dog [“The Case of the Calico Dog”; Susan Dare] · Mignon G. Eberhart · nv The Delineator Sep ’34
· The Locked Room [Dr. Gideon Fell] · John Dickson Carr · ss The Strand Jul ’40
· A Matter of Taste [Lord Peter Wimsey] · Dorothy L. Sayers · ss, 1928
· The Rats in the Walls · H. P. Lovecraft · ss Weird Tales Mar ’24
· Boston Blackie’s Mary [Boston Blackie] · Jack Boyle · nv Redbook, 1917
· The Man Upstairs · William Irish · ss Mystery Book Magazine Aug ’45
· The Vanishing Lady · Alexander Woollcott · ss (r)
· The Butler [Chief Insp. William Dawson] · Bennett Copplestone · na (r)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Lovecraft Comes to Australia


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By 1952, the Australians had their first SF conference, but the Weird Tales Gang still had a lot of strength. In 1952, Lovecraft had been gone nearly 15 years, but was not a dim memory. The booklet (see image above, and text of the seller below) was dedicated, in part, to HPL.

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FIRST AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION"
March 22, 1952 - Edited & Published by Nick Solntseff
__
Science Fiction has always been extremely popular in Australia, but it wasn't until well after WWII - March 22, 1952 in Sydney - that the "Auzzies" realized their 1st Convention. The SF Commitee consisted of Chairman William D. Veney, Secretary Graham B. Stone, Treasurer Nick Solntseff, Auctioneer Arthur Haddon, and Film coordinator Lex Banning. The Convention extended over three days and included films, an auction, various programs of what is Science Fiction and The Futurian Society meeting. This program booklet also contains many congratulatory pages from fellow enthusiasts in America - Forrest Ackerman, Roy A. Squires, Mel Korshak, Lloyd Eshbach and the booklet was dedicated in memoriam to H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Abraham Merritt, and Stanley Weinbaum.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Note of Phil Garland, Collector





From the seller (epegana)
__

HP.LOVECRAFT - FOR SALE - A COLLECTION - 119 ITEMS - The Phil Garland collection
Published by International Bookfinders, Inc.
__
Phil Garland was a remarkable individual - writer, poet, wit, bibliographer, noted literary figure in the Pacific Northwest ... and collector. Phil first collected H. P. Lovecraft and he collected not only books but manuscripts and incidental materials. He sold his Lovecraft collection thru International Bookfinders complete for $4850 a princely sum back in the '70's but a pittance these days when you see what was in the collection - Barlow bound "Shunned House", "Cats of Ulthar", "History of the Necronomicon", "HPL" - the Stickeny booklet, and HPL's Arkham House books. My friend Phil then bought an entire Clark Ashton Smith collection from - his favorite writer - from Roy A. Squires.

7-page booklet of 120 items.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

HPL Christmas Card to Barlow (1934)



Back in Dec. 2007(see post: click) we saw where this postcard sold for about $550. Appreciation! Now it's for sale at $850.00 If you click the images they should expand in a new window to large size.

Monday, September 15, 2008

United Amateur of September 1918



THE UNITED AMATEUR Sept., 1918
Printed by W. Paul CookHoward Phillips Lovecraft is featured prominently in this issue of "The United Amateur" with his poem "Hellas" and as well as being the head of "The Department of Public Criticism" . HPL contributes a page & a half of criticism and he himself is examined with criticism by Alfred Galpin as he devotes more than an entire page column to HPL's poem - "Aletheia Phrikodes" - "The real intellectual and literary treat of the issue, and the best I have read in many a magazine, is Howard P. Lovecraft..." Poet and friend to both H. P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith, Samuel Loveman is present with his poem "Nostalgia".This issue is entry I-B-iii-86 in Joshi's bibliography of HPL's writings. A nice copy of this early issue with a short 1/2" split at the spine and a few snags at the edges as you can see in the scan.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Lovecraft's Legacy in 1944



Lovecraft had many nicknames for Forest J. Ackerman, but one * was Price Effjea of Akkamin. (*To Barlow 24 May 1935, p. 274, O Fortunate Floridian).

A mere 7 years after Lovecraft's death, his memory is so entrenched that scarcely a horror-oriented fanzine went out without a mention, blurb, or tribute to him. However, it was a bit rarer to see him mentioned in Scientifiction 'zines.

"VOM" - August, 1944 - #35

Edited & published by Forrest Ackerman

The ultimate chat-zine "Vom" or "Voices of the Imagi-nation" was founded by members of the defunct fanzine - "Imagination" and composed of letters by the readers upon the many topics and authors of the day. "Vom" proved extremely popular among the fans and remains a key insight into all-things fannish looking back on things. Lovecraft, Robert Bloch, and others are mentioned and folks like Fran Laney and Gus Willmorth contribute letters.

One of the first fanzines printed memeograph which was much better reproduction than previous hectograph printing. Measures 8 1/2" by 14".

A very good copy, folded for mailing.

Friday, September 12, 2008

September 1934 Fantasy Magazine



Lovecraft to Barlow on 25 September 1934, "I suppose you know there will be a tale by Merritt - "The Drone" - in Leedle Shoolie's September Fantasy."

From (epegana) the seller:

"FANTASY MAGAZINE" - September, 1934 - Second Anniversary Issue
Edited by Julius Schwartz
One of the classiest fanzines of its day "Fantasy Magazine" had few equals (only "The Fantasy Fan" comes to mind as the single surpassing example). Every issue was printed from type that Conrad Ruppert laboriously set by hand...unbelievable!This is your typical excellent content-ed issue with contributions by the "unquestionably" popular fantasist of the day A. Merritt - with an original short story entitled, "The Drone"; Donald Wandrei is present with a tale entitled "The Chuckler" and there is a self-interview of Murray Leinster by Will Jenkins. Note: the installment of "Cosmos" is not present.The interior paper of this issue is better than very good but as you can see from the scan the spine is chipped.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Lovecraft's World


This image is noted as c.1900 Heydendahl Studio Providence RI (Cabinet Photo ). It's said to be an original photograph of a little girl, probably 2-3 years old, holding an unopened parasol, standing on a Victorian wicker chair.

Lovecraft would have been 9 years old about this time. It gives us perspective that he lived in a very different world than we do.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Lovecraft's World


Here's an image of some school children from 1912. They're 8th graders. The image is said to have this inscription: "Lincoln School 8th grade 1912-13" The Lincoln School would have to be a grammar school in Lincoln, R.I., as The Lincoln School in Providence was and still is an all girls school.

As 22 year old Lovecraft walked through the streets of Providence, he would have crossed paths with children like these.
As familair as we are with Mr. Lovecraft, we have to recall that he walked the Earth about a century ago - a very different world.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

325 Cherry Street - still extant




The 30 January 1936 postcard by Lovecraft to Charles D Hornig was addressed to Apt. 114, 325 Cherry Street, Elizabeth, NJ. Using Google I was able to find a street view of Cherry Street. It appears that the old "Alexander" still stands. I was able to find at least 9 individuals listed in the Elizabeth, NJ white pages who are listed at that address.

So after more than 72 years, an old HPL structure stands.

Above, an image of the front of the postcard (the New Providence Court House) is shown.
A recent flikr image of (the now) Superior Court House is also included.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Another Charles D. Hornig postcard surfaces for sale



The seller (arkham sales) states:

RARE Holographic Postcard H.P. LOVECRAFT to Charles D. Hornig (Editor The Fantasy Fan), January 30, 1930s (ca. 1933 or 1934), New Providence County Court House, Providence, R.I., Brown University Station, Providence, Rhode Island, Signed "HPL"

H.P. LOVECRAFT LETTERS & POSTCARDS: Truly a magnificent H.P. Lovecraft item. For those that know the Old Gent, they understand what a great epistler he was. In fact, one would find it difficult to find someone of any note that wrote as many letters as Lovecraft. Experts believe that he wrote over 100,000 letters during his lifetime, many of great length (a 50,000 word, one-hundred page letter was not out of the ordinary). It is also surmised that fewer than 10,000 of the letters still survive. Of those, a majority are held in Brown University's H.P. Lovecraft collection. In fact, their agressive acquisitions program for Lovecraft's letters and postcards was (and is) so intense, that few remain in the hands of collectors. Some believe that less than two hundred letters and postcards are in still left in private hands, of these, few rarely show up for sale. Considering that writing (postcards and letters) was Lovecraft's favorite form of communication, and that each communication is a thoughtful tome in and of itself, an actual letter or postcard can be considered the cornerstone of a Lovecraft collection. We here at Arkham Books now offer to the public, that very cornerstone. Since letters typically run into the thousands ($4000.00 and up is quite common), a postcard is a more affordable way to own a piece of Lovecraftian history. In the last three years on Ebay and at various Rare Books Shows we have sold two letters and a handful of postcards, and they go quick (moreover, because of Brown University's voracious acquisition program, they are getting much harder to find -- a worn out cliche, but oh so true!) The last postcard we sold (to weird tale author E. Hoffman Price) for $1350.00 just several weeks back at World Horror Con.

ADDRESSED TO: This postcard was written to Fantasy Fan Editor Charles D. Hornig. Hornig started The Fantasy Fan when he was just 17 years of age, in September of 1933. Two of Lovecraft's sotires were first published in the fanzine: "The Other Gods" (the third issue, November 1933) and "From Beyond" (in the tenth issue, June 1934). Moreover, and most significant, is the fanzine/magazine began a serialization of Lovecraft's essay on "Supernatural Horror in Literature," incorporating corrections and slight revisions to the text that appeared in The Recluse. Lovecraft maintained a fairly regular correspondence with Hornig, offering support, ideas, and corrections. Lovecraft's suggestions are frequently taken up with mechanical details concerning literary business, showing Lovecraft as conscientious and sometimes obsessive. Lovecraft scholar S.T. Joshi, in his book "H.P. Lovecraft A Life", wrote this about The Fantasy Fan: "This is, canonically, the first 'fan' magazine in the domain of weird/fantastic fiction, and it inaugurated a very rich, complex, and somehwat unruly tradition--still flourishing today--of fan activity in this realm."

THIS POSTCARD: This postcard is postmarked January 30, ca. 1933 or 1934 (the actual year is not given, but most of the correspondence between HPL and Hornig was in 1933 and 1934). It is postmarked from the Brown University Station at 4:00pm. The postcard is of Lovecraft's beloved Providence and features the "New" Providence Country Court House. One LOONNNGGG paragraph and approximately 153 words. The content is unpublished.

CONTENTS INCLUDE: Lovecraft comments that he was in New York over the New Year's and saw "Long [Frank B.], Wandreis, ... and the old group." Mentions some other Fantasy authors as well. Mentions seeing the Hayden Planetarium. Complains about it being too crowded. Has a few questions for Hornig regarding a recent trip and so forth. Signs it "Best Wishes--HPL"

RARITY, VALUE, & GUARANTEE: Truly a gem. With this, we offer a lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. Lovecraft postcards are become more and more rare, and soon, they just won't show up. In the 1970s Holographic Lovecraft items were seemingly everywhere. In the 1980s, as scholarly interest in Lovecraft increased his letters and postcards started getting bought up and disappearing off the secondary market. In the 1990s, Brown University started an agressive acquisition program to acquire all of Lovecraft's hand-written manuscripts, letters, postcards, and so forth. Thus in the new millenium, there is very little of this holographic material by the old gent from Providence. In the last five years we here at Arkham Books have searched diligently the Internet, Book Catalogs, and Auctions, and the man's epistles are just downright rare! We sold numerous postcards, starting in the $600.00 to $800.00 range some five years ago, to $950.00 three years ago, and now around $1000.00 to $1500.00 today depending on content and the recipient. Letters today, typically run $4000.00 (for a one-pager) and up (saw a nice two-page letter to Robert Bloch with great content listed at $6000.00 and a six and a half page letter for $15,000.00). Late last year on Ebay I saw a clipped H.P. Lovecraft signature (clipped from the return address portion of an envelope, and was just "H.P. Lovecraft") sell for $1500.00!! Simply put, his stuff is getting very rare and appreciating at a substantial clip. Recently, we were lucky enough here at Arkham Books to acquire a few postcards to Charles D. Hornig, and will be offering them on Ebay.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Lovecraft in United Amateur


THE UNITED AMATEUR - March, 1915
Bureau of Criticism - H. P. Lovecraft // Lovecraft had only been published as an official member of the UPAOA less than a year, and here in March, 1915 he was already making his presence felt as the leading critic in The Bureau of Critics. HPL is present here with two appearances - a poem entitled "March", and with multiple pages of criticism.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Avon Fantasy Reader # 3 (1947)

Step into the ebayeum, my friends and time travel back to 1947. One suspects the hand of Mr. Derleth placing Lovecraft's "The Silver Key" into this reprint magazine. One of the nicest extant editions I've seen for sale. {-CP}
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Lovecraft Letters to Weird Tales

Here are the dates of the letters that H P Lovecraft wrote to Weird tales.


letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Sep ’23
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Oct ’23
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Jan ’24
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Mar ’24
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Feb ’26
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Jan ’28
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Feb ’28
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Mar ’28
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Jul ’30
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Jan ’34
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Feb ’36
letter · H. P. Lovecraft · lt Weird Tales Oct ’36

Friday, September 05, 2008

Lovecraftian Novel (1979)

In July 1979, Donald Grant announced a new cloth bound book based on Lovecraft. So, we see that at 42 years after Lovecraft's death that fan fiction has focused on Lovecraft as a character rather as the producer of stories. The book commemorates Providence, RI as the host of the 1st World Fantasy Convention (1975). It includes a forgotten Lovecraft manuscript and a hidden underground Providence with sinsiter goings on. The now-legendary Kirby McCauley is also a character, as is Robert Booth then-chariman of the 1979 World Horror Convention.

The blurb says that the sale price of the 112 page book was $10 of 1,125 copies. 240 special slip-case editions offered at $20.

The images below should expand once they're clicked on.




Thursday, September 04, 2008

Cthulhu-ian Biology


Cuttlefish Embryo Stares Hungrily Outside It's Egg
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Chrispy often wonders that IF Lovecraft's creation of Cthulhu were real what would that god-like creature be like? I suppose, first of all, Cthulhu like all eldritich extraterrestrails was made of a complex blend of dark energies and dark matters. These extraterrestrials have form and substance, but exist with somewhat diferent physical properties. They are near-eternal, sleep or exist in strange dimensions, and have but one seeming purpose - to seek greater wisdoms leaving humans insane in their wake.

Sooo - why did Cthulhu pick the cephalopod model to emulate? Not human, not bacterial, not avain, not reptillian, but cephalopodian. (Because Lovecraft hated sea life odors, but let's not be literal, ok?).

Because, aeons ago when the eldritch extraterrestrials appeard on Earth, the most intellingent creature was the cephalopod in all it's rich varieties and species.

Today, we're going to look at the (real) biology of the cuttlefish. Real science is more incredible than fiction.
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Embryos can learn visually

By Susan Milius
July 2nd, 2008

Cuttlefish embryos that develop in their translucent eggs with crabs nearby hatch into youngsters with a distinct preference for eating crabs, says Ludovic Dickel of the University of Caen in France. Without that pre-hatch view of crabs, the little cuttlefish attack shrimp in preference to crabs, he and his colleagues report in the July Animal Behaviour.

The preference develops from sight alone, Dickel says. The researchers kept the crabs in containers that prevented crab scents from getting into the water with the eggs.

Earlier work by the cuttlefish team showed that within a few hours of hatching, the babies need only one good look at crabs to develop a preference for them. Now the window of learning seems to be open even before hatching, Dickel says.

Other research teams have demonstrated that embryos start learning scents and sounds, Dickel says. Laughing gull chicks respond readily to parental crooning if they heard the sound repeatedly while still in the egg; and ants base their sense of who's a nestmate on smells they experienced as larvae.

Cuttlefish offered a chance to test for visual learning because of their remarkable embryo eyes and the translucence of the egg coverings. When the mother lays the eggs, the view is obscured by the black cuttlefish ink. As the eggs approach the time of hatching, they swell to the point where the embryos can see through the translucent outer covering.

This test provides the first demonstration in any animal that embryos can learn the sights around them, says Dickel.

“In the world in general, I think visual learning in embryos is surprising and cool,” said Karen Warkentin of Boston University, when she heard about the work. She studies defense reactions of frog embryos. “To me,” she added, “I don’t think it is so surprising — in that I’m used to frog embryos being able to do more than most people expect.”

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Lovecraft's Providence (Art) c. 1905 and before






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These are artists that Lovecraft would have known well. He was a student of Rhode Island history, but his tastes leaned toward the macabre. Still, when this little book came out, Lovecraft would have been about 14. It was part of his world.

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Notes from the seller on this item:

AUTHOR: John Nelson Arnold
TITLE: Art and Artists in Rhode Island
PUBLISHER: Rhode Island Citizens Historical Association, Providence, RI
DATE: 1905
EDITION: First edition
SIZE: 6 by 9 inches
PAGES: 47

COMMENTS: Signed on the front free end paper . "To Wm Alden Brown, with compliments of John N. Arnold." The booklet contains information and short biographies about Rhode island artists. Gilbert Stuart, John Smybert, John Copley, John Trumbull, Charles Durfee, C.G. Thompson, George P.A. Healy, James Sullivan Lincoln, and many, many others. The person to whom the booklet is inscribed, William Alden Brown, was also an artist.

CONDITION: Poor. The booklet is disbound. The binding staples hold the cover through pages 16. Pages 17, and a plate are loose, pages 19-30 are together as a signature. Pages 31 and 32 are together but loose, pages 33- 46 are togeher as a signature. Page 47, the last page, is glued to the rear cover. the covers are chipped and worn. The front free endpaper has been reapired at the top edge with a piece of tape that is now discolored.

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