Johnathan Hoag & Robert Heinlein

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"The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag" by John Riverside, pseudonym of Robert Heinlein, is a curiosity. Perhaps it was a coincidence in name choice of the the titled protagonist. The most famous Jonathan Hoag prvevious to this was Lovecraft's elder friend Jonathan E. Hoag?

Anecdotally, Heinlein denied that Lovecraft's Hoag was inspiration. However, both Kuttner and Moore knew Heinelin well. Could it have been subliminal? Or do we chalk it up to just one of those things.

Historically, this item was written when Heinlein's wife (Leslyn) was distressed that family members might be prisoners of war under the Japanese. Nearly at the same time, she had a gall bladder attack. The story goes that they drove cross country through bad weather, stayed with John Campbell, his editor in New Jersey. They needed money. In quick succession, between February and April 1942, Heinlein wrote both two stories, "Hoag" being one of them. Shortly after the operation he got a job as an engineer.

The Tryout March 1925

TRYOUT, THE. March 1925 (volume 9, number 12). Edited by C. W. Smith. Plaistow, N. H.: C. W. Smith, March 1925 (volume 9, number 12). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "To Mr. Hoag on his Ninety-fourth Birthday, February 10, 1925" by H. P. Lovecraft, the first magazine appearance of this poem, first published in THE TROY [N.Y.] TIMES, 10 February 1925. Joshi I-B-iii-224. News in this issue that Lovecraft received honors for his poetry compositions from the Blue Pencil Club. Some light chipping along spine, covers chipped at edges, small stain to front cover, a very good copy. (#108430) Price: $100.00

The Tryout January 1926

TRYOUT, THE. January 1926 (volume 10, number 7). Edited by C. W. Smith. Plaistow, N. H.: C. W. Smith, January 1926 (volume 10, number 7). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "October" by H. P. Lovecraft, the first printing of this poem. Also present is "Alone," a poem by Jonathan E. Hoag revised by Lovecraft. Joshi I-B-iii-121 and I-B-iv-b-2. A fine copy. (#108432) Price: $125.00

The Tryout February 1921

TRYOUT, THE. February 1921 (volume 7, number 1). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, February 1921 (volume 7, number 1). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "To Mr. Hoag, on his Ninetieth Birthday, Feb. 10,1921" by H. P. Lovecraft writing as "Ward Phillips" and "To a Youth. (Dedicated to Master Alfred Galpin, Jun.)" by Lovecraft writing as "Richard Raleigh. The first printing of both poems. Joshi I-B-i-220 and I-B-ii-176. A fine copy. (#108452) Price: $125.00

The Tryout (February 1920, March 1920)

TRYOUT, THE. February 1920 and March 1920 (volume 6, numbers 2 and 3). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, February 1920 and March 1920 (volume 6, numbers 2 and 3). Small octavo, two issues bound together, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "Looking Backward," by H. P. Lovecraft, the first two parts of a five-part history of amateur journalism from 1882 to 1889, first published in THE TRYOUT, February through June 1920, and the first printing of Lovecraft's poem "Ad Scribam: (Joanthan [sic] E. Hoag), Aetat LXXXIX February 10, 1920." Joshi I-B-ii-170 and I-B-iii-219. A fine copy. (#108448) Price: $125.00