Illustrated Horror Books

[trieffiewiles]

Keziah - yes, I have editions of Mysteries and Imagination as well as Faust that include his less known color plates. I also have the Charles Algernon Swinburne book that Clarke illustrated though this isn't as good, perhaps because two of the more intense illustrations were removed by censors of the time, and it doesn't even showcase all that much of Swinburne's writing.

I don't believe this piece of art appears in any book, but it is by the Belgian symbolist Jans Frans De Boever who became obsessed with the macabre. It is one of many pictures he worked on for an illustrated version of Charles Bauderlaire's "Les Fleurs de mal" which was alas never completed.

The original is currently available for sale and will only set you back $30,000. [Click on it for a larger version.]



The painting depicts a prostitute attempting to lure a customer towards (presumably) dissolution, syphilis and death.

[bendk]

Another excellent illustrated horror book is The Haunted Omnibus edited by Alexander Laing. (It was later reprinted as Great Ghost Stories of the World). This book was selected by Gahan Wilson for Horror Another 100 Best Books. The Haunted Omnibus has numerous illustrations by Laing for such stories as "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "Casting the Runes" by M.R. James, "The White People" by Arthur Machen, "The Screaming Skull" by F. Marion Crawford, etc.

And speaking of Gahan Wilson, I also enjoyed the book he did with Roger Zelazny: A Night in the Lonesome October. A nice spoof with many wonderful illustrations by Wilson.

I also saw this one on eBay. Mervyn Peake illustrated Algernon Blackwood's story "The Wendigo" for Liliput Magazine Dec/Jan 1952. The full page wash drawing is shown here. It also stated that there were 3 other b&w illustrations. Sadly, not shown.

[hopfrog]

Quote Originally Posted by MorganScorpion

Thing is, the monsters in the Sesqua Valley book all look cute. Even the werewolf is waving hello.

Girlfriend, Lycan need love too!

[Aeron]

Some great books on here, I'm a big fan of Harry Clarke and Arthur Rackham. I have the Clarke book but was unaware of the Rackham, very nice.

One of my favorites is Scary Stories illustrated by Stephen Gammell. If the opportunity arose, I would love to interpret his ink drawings in my own style for a rerelease of the book.







apologies if these images are too big.

[hypnogeist]

Quote Originally Posted by MorganScorpion

I once saw a volume of Poe's Horror Tales illustrated by Harry Clarke. It was SO expensive, but how very wonderful.

If you're looking at one of these in pristine condition with the dust jacket, then yeah, the price will be exorbitant. But if you can settle for a copy in about "good" condition (expect fraying of cloth at board corners, large portions of gilt lettering on spine flaked away, other minor stains and/scratches to boards, yet with all interior pages, plates, and spot illustrations present in clean, unmarked shape with minimal yellowing to pages, and an unbroken spine), as I did, you can probably still pick up one these treasures on eBay or Amazon for something like $60 to $85. In fact, there is a used 1928 edition copy on Amazon right now for $50 (it is missing one of the color plates, however). If you see something you like don't wait too long though, prices seem to be steadly rising year by year in something greater than linear fashion (think I paid around $35 two or three years ago for my copy).

Moreover, if you have no interest in authentic collectible relics from days of yore and just want to experience the magic of Harry Clarke's illustrations while reading Poe in a nice hardback, there is a brand new facsimile edition published by Calla for sale on Amazon for $30. Judging by comments left by customers, this is an outstanding replica made of quality materials. Of course, if you do want something collectible and are buying a used edition on Amazon, make sure you question the seller first about specifics of the publisher, publication date, condition, completeness of color plates, etcetera, as it is not uncommon for used books from secondary sellers to be listed inaccurately on Amazon.

[paeng]

If you are looking for cheaper editions, try the ones from Arcturus Publishing. The ISBN is 97818431937469.

Quote Originally Posted by MorganScorpion

I once saw a volume of Poe's Horror Tales illustrated by Harry Clarke. It was SO expensive, but how very wonderful.

[paeng]

A few more are mentioned in catalogs found here:

http://www.arcturuspublishing.com/

esp. Gustave Dore drawings.

[bendk]

This link has the John Coulthart illustrations for the recently released Lovecraft's Monsters edited by Ellen Datlow.

http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuille...afts-monsters/

[hopfrog]

PS Publishing is about to release the first set of nine volumes of LOVECRAFT ILLUSTRATED, with each volume dedicated to a single story and featuring colour illustrations by Pete Von Sholly. Pete's style has a touch of whimsy to it that took me a wee while to appreciate, but nigh I am a confirm'd fan. He's sent me sampling of much of the artwork, and it is wonderful. Each volume will use S. T. Joshi's corrected text and have a new Introduction by S. T. For those volumes in which the tale is wee, there will be an addition of essays concerning that particular tale. I will have essays in the volumes for "The Dunwich Horror," "The Call of Cthulhu," "The Colour out of Space" and "The Shadow out of Time." The first volume, THE DREAM-QUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH, is up for pre-order and shou'd be available very soon.