Lovecraft Death Notice: Tryout, Spring 1937

Smith may not have recalled Lovecraft's middle name, or his grief and age might have played tricks. In any event, this was recently seen at auction. 6 bids and $61.00 was not a bad fee for something so rare.

Howard Prescott Lovecraft

Death loves a shining mark. I don't know who is the author of that proverb, but it never was more strongly emphasized than the praising of Howard Prescott Lovecraft.

A genius has been taken from among us. If there were ever one in amateur journalism, it was Howard Prescott Lovecraft.

Over twenty years correspondence with him, and numerous personal meetings, revealed him to me how many characteristics - his integrity, his gentlemanly deportment and his keen literary attainments. We had many things in common. Love of the open old books, historical houses and papers, and even the lowly (?) cat was a bond between us.

Here are the details: Description: "HOWARD PRESCOTT LOVECRAFT" - Death notice composed by C. W. Smith in "The Tryout - (April) 1937

C. W. Smith was one of Howard Phillips Lovecraft's earliest supporters recognizing his talent by publishing some of his first Amateur Journal writings.
Lovecraft's premature death in March of 1937 affected Smith deeply and his brief memorial "Howard Prescott Lovecraft" in this issue is poignant and moving...

"A genius has been taken from us. If there ever were ever one in amateur journalism it was Howard Prescott Lovecraft...Many of his first contributions to the amateur press appeared in "Tryout" and he continued to contribute to it until his professional work required most of his time. Still I never requested a favor of him but he willingly granted it....Of his literary work I leave to more competent pen than mine to estimate. That it was of the highest standard none will gainsay."

The full memorial is more than two pages in length and was not reprinted in the Arkham House volume "Lovecraft Remembered". This issue was folded for mailing, else in virtually as new condition with string-tie still attached.

The Tryout December 1921 No. 9

Handwritten Corrections By Lovecraft circa 1918

"EIDOLON, THE" [poem]. TYPED MANUSCRIPT (TMs). {Only one page image available} Two pages on rectos of two sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 inch hotel stationery (Hotel Kimball, Springfield, Massachusetts). Says: "H. P. Lovecraft / 10 Barnes St. / Providence, R. I." at upper left corner of first leaf. Circulating copy, with several corrections in Lovecraft's hand. Dated 1919 in ink at conclusion of poem on second sheet. Poem published in THE TRYOUT, October 1918 (volume 4, number 10) as by "Ward Phillips.". ... Provenance: Barlow / Derleth Papers. (#114689) Price: $450.00

Image of Tryout Smith Surfaces

More sell off of collections means more rare items briefly show up on the ebayeum. This set of images are of the Tryout, and the seller has some interesting anecdotes (below).

THE TRYOUT

{From epegana} March, 1917Edited & published by C. W. (Tryout) Smith. Beginning at the age of sixty-two in 1914, C. W. Smith published more than three hundred issues of "The Tryout" until aged ninety-six, in 1948. Each & every issue was set by hand one letter at a time - a remarkable tribute to the man's endurance and dedication. C. W. always had weak eyesight and his many typos can be attributed to the simple fact that he just couldn't discern when a letter was mis-trayed or inverted, certainly not a lack of desire to do quality printing. This is an excellent issue featuring two appearances by H. P. Lovecraft: "Pacifist War Song-1917" by Lewis Theobald Jr. (HPL) and "To Mr. Lockhart On His Poetry" by H. P. Lovecraft. Additionally there is a poem dedicated to HPL from Chester P. Munroe, entitled "To H. L. My Friend", and poetry by Arthur Goodenough, Winnifred Virginia Jordan and others. A fine, near very-fine unfolded copy with the string-tie still attached. The addition of a copy of the scarce (rare in this condition!) "Tryout" with HPL appearances, adds luster to an Arkham House collection! (Please note that the photograph of C. W. Smith at his job tray is NOT included in this sale.)

Tryout 1934 Vol 16 No 8

TRYOUT, THE. September 1934 (volume 16, number 8). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, September 1934 (volume 16, number 8). Small octavo, single issue, printed self wrappers, sewn. Accompanied by the supplement: IN MEMORY EDITH MAY MINITER A COWORKER IN AMATEUR JOURNALISM 1884-1934. Issued by Laurie A. Sawyer, C. W. Smith [cover title]. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, n.d. [1934], a 16-page booklet (plus covers) with brief memoirs and appreciations by her friends and fellow amateur writers. Includes H. P. Lovecraft's poem "Edith Miniter: Born on Wilbraham Mountain, Massachusetts May 5, 1869. Died at North Wilbraham, Massachusetts, June 8, 1934," pages [5-6] (note: in this copy (all copies?) this leaf is duplicated as pages [7-8]. Joshi I-B-iii-35 (who incorrectly dates this August 1934). A fine copy. Rare. (#114472) Price: $450.00

Tryout (1925) Vol 10 No 6

TRYOUT, THE. November 1925 (volume 10, number 6). Edited by C. W. Smith. Plaistow, N. H.: C. W. Smith, November 1925 (volume 10, number 6). Small octavo, single issue, folded sheets. Includes "In the Vault" by H. P. Lovecraft, the first printing of this macabre story of supernatural vengeance, based on a plot idea by C. W. Smith. It was submitted to WEIRD TALES editor Farnsworth Wright in 1925, but was rejected in November for its "extreme gruesomeness." Ultimately, it was reprinted in WEIRD TALES, April 1932. This was the last time Lovecraft would allow a new story (as opposed to an older, professionally rejected story) to appear first in an amateur journal. Lovecraft's copy with numerous penciled corrections in his hand throughout. Joshi I-B-i-32. The first four gatherings, each four pages on a conjoined sheet, print the complete Lovecraft story; the final gathering of four leaves following Lovecraft's story is not present, nor are the self wrappers. Faint paperclip stains on recto of first leaf and verso of last leaf, else a fine copy. Provenance: Barlow/Derleth papers.

Tryout (1927) Vol 11 No 3

TRYOUT, THE. March 1927 (volume 11, number 3). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, March 1927 (volume 11, number 3). Small octavo, single issue, printed self wrappers, sewn. Includes, "The Splinter," an early story by August Derleth. $100.00

Tryout (1927) Vol 11 No 2

TRYOUT, THE. January 1927 (volume 11, number 2). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, January 1927 (volume 11, number 2). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "The Wood" by H. P. Lovecraft. The first printing of this poem published under Lovecraft's pen name "L. Theobald, Jun." Also present is "The Figure With the Scythe," a early story by August Derleth written in collaboration with Mark Schorer. $125.00

Tryout (1926) Vol 11, No 1

TRYOUT, THE. December 1926 (volume 11, number 1). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, December 1926 (volume 11, number 1). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "The Return" by H. P. Lovecraft. The first printing of this poem. $125.00

Tryout Vol 3 No 3 1917

The seller says: THE TRYOUTVol. 3, No., 3. 1917Edited & published by the ageless indefatiguable C. W. (Tryout) Smith, "The Tryout" remains one of the legendary HPL amateur papers and HPL published more within its pages than any other paper. This issue is loaded with Lovecraft featuring the poem - ""The Nymph's Reply to the Modern Businessman" by Lewis Theobald, Jr., "Fact & Fancy" by H. P. Lovecraft, and note that "H. P. Lovecraft recently added $25 to his bank account by capturing a prize by Fays Theatre for the best movie review". Additional poetry by the HPL heart-throb Winifred Virginia Jordan. Very scarce from this era!An early HPL issue of interest & importance!

30 April 1927 postcard to Paul J Campbell

Seller states:

Autograph postcard signed from Howard Phillips Lovecraft to Paul J. CampbellPostmarked Providence, RI, April 30, 1927Pictured on the front of card: Hotel Empire, New York CityLovecraft writes to old-time amateur journalist and friend Campbell to express sympathy over the loss of amateur papers. It reads in part:"Just got a card from Smithy [Tryout Smith] telling of your fire and the loss of your amateur collection. . . If I can help -- in connection withother amateurs -- in partly replacing your loss, I shall be glad to send some old-time items which I still retain. . . . Let me know whatyou especially desire."Signed "HPL"A nice chatty note to a long-time friend who published work by Lovecraft in his amateur journal, "The Liberal."

The Tryout September 1929

TRYOUT, THE. September 1929 (volume 13, number 2). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, September 1929 (volume 13, number 2). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. H. P. Lovecraft is briefly mentioned in this issue, including a notice that two of his stories would appear in forthcoming anthologies. No Lovecraft contributions to this issue. A fine copy. (#108462) Price: $25.00

The Tryout September 1920

TRYOUT, THE. September 1920 (volume 6, number 9). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, September 1920 (volume 6, number 9). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes first printings of two poems by H. P. Lovecraft, "The Dream" as by "Edward Softly" and "On a Grecian Colonnade in a Park" as by "Henry Paget-Lowe." Joshi I-B-iii-32 and I-B-iii-127. A fine copy. (#108450)

The Tryour October 1918

TRYOUT, THE. October 1918 (volume 4, number 10). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, October 1918 (volume 4, number 10). Small octavo, single issue, printed wrappers, sewn. Includes "The Eidolon" by H. P. Lovecraft writing as "Ward Phillips." The first appearance of this poem. Joshi I-B-iii-36. Several creases to front cover, a near fine copy. (#108441) Price: $150.00 Front poem by Arthur Goodenough.

The Tryout November 1918

TRYOUT, THE. November 1918 (volume 4, number 11). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, November 1918 (volume 4, number 11). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "Germania -- 1918" by H. P. Lovecraft. The first printing of this poem. Joshi I-B-iii-82. 17 mm closed tear at top edge of front cover, a near fine copy. (#108442) Price: $100.00 The front poem is by Arthur Goodenough.

The Tryout November 1919

TRYOUT, THE. November 1919 (volume 5, number 11). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, November 1919 (volume 5, number 11). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "To Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, Eighteenth Baron Dunsany" by H. P. Lovecraft and "To the Eighth of November" by Lovecraft writing as "Archibald Maynwaring." The first printings of both poems. Joshi I-B-iii-185. Faint vertical crease where once folding for mailing, a fine copy. (#108428) Price: $150.00

Lovecraft's Legacy: Tryout May 1938

TRYOUT, THE. May 1938 (volume 19, number 3). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, May 1938 (volume 19, number 3). Small octavo, single issue, printed self wrappers, sewn. Includes "Intrun Donjuctae [sic]" and "Sunset" by H. P. Lovecraft. Reprints of both poems, the first published as "Interum Conjunctae" in THE TRYOUT, May 1917, the second first published in THE TRYOUT, December 1917. Also a brief biographical note by TRYOUT editor C. W. Smith concerning Lovecraft's contributions to THE TRYOUT and a poem "My Friend -- H. L.: A Poet of the Old School" by Chester Prince Munroe. Joshi I-B-iii-92 and I-B-iii-171. A fine copy. (#108464) Price: $85.00

Lilian M. Pierce was featured on the cover.

The Tryout August 1919

TRYOUT, THE. August 1919 (volume 5, number 6?). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, May 1919 (volume 5, number 5). Small octavo, single issue, printed wrappers, sewn. Includes "Monody on the Late King Alcohol" by H. P. Lovecraft writing as "Lewis Theobald, Jun." The first publication of this poem. Joshi I-B-iii-107. A near fine copy. (#108444) Price: $150.00

The Tryout May 1919

TRYOUT, THE. May 1919 (volume 5, number 5). Edited by C. W. Smith. Haverhill, Mass.: C. W. Smith, May 1919 (volume 5, number 5). Small octavo, single issue, printed wrappers, sewn. Includes "Hylas and Myrrha: A Tale" by H. P. Lovecraft writing as "Lawrence Appleton and "North and South Britons" by Lovecraft writing as "Alexander Ferguson Blair." The first publication of both poems. Joshi I-B-iii-88 and I-B-iii-117. Pulp paper quite brittle, heavily chipped at edges, mainly along spine, string tie secures only a few leaves, though all are present and there is no loss of text, a poor copy. (#108443) Price: $25.00

The Tryout March 1926

TRYOUT, THE. March 1926 (volume 10, number 8). Edited by C. W. Smith. Plaistow, N. H.: C. W. Smith, March 1926 (volume 10, number 8). Small octavo, single issue, self wrappers, sewn. Includes "The Rutted Road" by H. P. Lovecraft, the second appearance of this poem, first printed in the January 1917 issue of THE TRYOUT under his pseudonym "Lewis Theobald, Jun." Joshi I-B-iii-162. A fine copy. (#108459) Price: $50.00