The Recluse

by Lovecraft, H. P.; W. Paul Cook [Editor]; Donald Wandrei; Clark Ashton Smith; Vrest Orton, et al.

$8,500 · Offered by Biblio

First edition

Athol, MA: W. Paul Cook, 1927. First Edition. Very Good. An association copy of the first and only issue of the legendary amateur periodical published by W. Paul Cook. Provenance: Vincent Starrett's copy with his name written on the first page. Starrett, who corresponded with Lovecraft, had short stories published in the earliest issues of Weird Tales and poems in Arkham House anthologies. A journalist, writer and literary scholar, he is best know for his pioneering works of Sherlock Holmes scholarship. 78 pp. Stapled sheets in publisher's original pictorial wraps illustrated by Vermont Country Store co-founder and friend of Lovecraft Vrest Orton. Very Good. Textblock completely detached from wraps, old tape reinforcement to spine, small faint tidemark to front cover at top edge, light chipping to spine ends and corners. The New England writer and publisher William Paul Cook was a friend and supporter of H. P. Lovecraft and encouraged the literary research that Lovecraft synthesized into his famous essay "Supernatural Horror in Literature." The essay occupied pages 23 through 59 of The Recluse, a periodical Cook began for his own amusement. The contributors, who included Clark Ashton Smith, Donald Wandrei,and Vrest Orton, were not paid, and Cook never got around to publishing a second issue. Joshi I-B.ii.335a.

• Publisher: W. Paul Cook
• Year: 1927
• Edition: First Edition
• Binding: unknown

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