Necronomicon Press Limited Editions, 4 Volumes

Necronomicon Press Limited Editions, 4 Volumes

Featuring Works by H.P. Lovecraft, Robert Howard, and Robert Barlow

This is a wonderful opportunity to obtain a nice sampling of four editions published by the Necronomicon Press which was founded in 1976, primarily to publish the works of H. P. Lovecraft and other authors of the horror field. In 1994 and 1996, the Press received the coveted World Fantasy Award for its work in the small press field, and also received the equally prestigious in 1995. The four titles are:

The Illustrated Challenge from Beyond by H.P. Lovecraft, A. Merritt, Robert E. Howard, C.L. Moore, and Frank Belknap Long, Necromomicon Press, 1978, Limited Edition (679 of 750). Originally published in the third anniversary issue of “Fantasy Magazine” in September, 1935, the Necromomicon edition features illustrations by David Ireland. Howard Phillips "H. P." Lovecraft”is a cult hero. Although Lovecraft's readership was limited during his life, his reputation has grown over the decades, and he is now regarded as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th century. According to Joyce Carol Oates, “Lovecraft — as with Edgar Allan Poe in the 19th century — has exerted "an incalculable influence on succeeding generations of writers of horror fiction". Stephen King called Lovecraft "the twentieth century's greatest practitioner of the classic horror tale."

The Cats of Ulthar by H.P. Lovecraft, Necromomicon Press, 1977, Limited Edition (444 of 550). The limited edition was originally published by H.P. Lovecraft’s close friend Robert H. Barlow and was made from an original copy kept in the John Hay Library at Brown University.

The Illustrated Gods of the North by Robert E. Howard, Necromomicon Press, 1977, Limited Edition (592 of 750). Originally published in 1934 in the March issue of “The Fantasy Fan”, the Necromomicon edition features illustrations by Mark King and includes a tipped in photograph of Robert E. Howard who is best known for his character Conan the Barbarian and is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre. Although not published in his lifetime, “The Annals of the Jinns” is the earliest chronological story in the life of Conan the Barbarian.

The Annals of the Jinn by Robert H. Barlow, Necromomicon Press, 1978. Originally published in “The Fantasy Fan” in 1935, the Necromomicon edition features illustrations by Jason Eckhardt and contains a wonderful essay by Kenneth W. Faig entitled, “Robert H. Barlow and H.P. Lovecraft: A Reflection”. Robert Hayward Barlow was a friend of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard since he was 13. He collaborated with Lovecraft on six stories and aided significantly in the preservation of Lovecraft's manuscripts. At his death, Lovecraft's will named Barlow his literary executor.

The four volumes are in FINE condition with the only notable flaw being a very superficial spot on the front cover of “The Illustrated Gods of the North”. Included with this listing are photographs of the four books and examples of illustrations contained in the books. The price of the books includes free shipping by USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation.