A Concise Guide to H.P. Lovecraft First Editions

Larry Latham of Suite101.com has published an excellent overview of the market for Arkham House first editions of H.P. Lovecraft's story collections. In "A Guide to H.P. Lovecraft First Editions," you'll learn the books' features, history, and contemporary trends factoring into the monumental prices some early Lovecraft books can command at auctions. The ultra-rare single story hardcover containing HPL's "The Shunned House" is noted as a precursor to Arkham's endeavors. Also, the expansion of Lovecraft's weird tales as literary enterprise under Derleth's guidance/exploitation is mentioned, as is the significant decline in market value for Lovecraftian "collaborations."

The posthumous publication of Lovecraft's work, as well as Arkham House in general, is also a prototype for the deluxe small presses seen today as distributors of most weird fiction. Indeed, some of the weird's most highly sought collections by individuals and businesses like Robert Aickman, Mythos Books, Thomas Ligotti, Centipede Press, Reggie Oliver, and Tartarus Press have a faint reflection in the bygone days of Lovecraft's Arkham House debut. It was Arkham that unintentionally spearheaded the creation of the fabulously collectible (and valuable) book of strange stories.

Though Arkham House cannot be entirely held responsible for this phenomenon, they are a definite point of examination in efforts to pinpoint the emergence of the current small press business model in supernatural literature. Many in weird fiction have admired the output of the small presses: their devotion to putting out authors who otherwise might not be read at all, often in high quality volumes. Yet, others have experienced mild frustration--or even worse tempests--over the limited print runs and rapid inflation that often befalls cult writers in this genre. Understanding the evolution of this state of affairs is crucial to easing its handicaps. Fortunately, the relatively clear history of early Lovecraft books by Arkham House is a great place to start.

-Grim Blogger