- Title: The Weird Shadow Over Innsmouth
- Subtitle: And Other Stories of the Supernatural: The Whisperer in Darkness, The Outsider, The Festival
- Author: Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937)
- Cover illustrator: Unknown (!!)
- Publisher: Bartholomew House, New York (#4)
- Year: 1944
- Pages: 190
- Cover price: 25 cents
- Notes: While it would certainly be nice to have a Fine or As New copy of this Bart House rarity as a collectible, I think this Fair copy from my bookshelf has its own worn, off-center charm. You might even argue that the marks and creases make the illustration seem a bit creepier. And how about that illustration! It's a crime that nobody on the Internet seems to know who the artist was. So I'm making it a Minor Mystery; and I hope it's one that's solved some day, to allow for proper credit in the historical record. ... Bookscans.com has an excellent history and full bibliography of Bart House books, which consisted of 40 titles between 1944 and 1947. ... In addition to the four stories listed on the cover, The Weird Shadow Over Innsmouth also includes a fifth Lovecraft tale, "He". ... The inside front cover is an advertisement for Bartholomew House self-help books, including How to Raise Your Baby, Standardized Contract Bridge, Your Heart and Arteries, and Man Alive — You're Half Dead! ... According to the copyright page, the book was "printed in the U.S.A. in strict conformity with Government Regulations restricting the use of paper and other critical materials." ... The last page of the book contains this message:
"OUR BOYS need and deserve books. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines — they all need books to read — to read for pleasure, information or relaxation. Give them books — give them this book. When you have finished with it, take it or send it to the nearest U.S.O. or to the Librarian of the nearest military post or naval station. A three-cent stamp will do it."
... This was the first of two Lovecraft volumes published by Bart House. The second was The Dunwich Horror (#12), which I also have on my shelf as a time-worn beauty. I'll put that up as a post some day, too, Nyarlathotep willing.
Related posts
- Imaginary H.P. Lovecraft postcard
- Book cover: "Beyond Time and Space"
- Book cover: "The House on the Borderland"
- 1971 advertisement for issue #2 of "Balthus" fanzine
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