Arkham House

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About this book

"Arkham House : The first 20 years; 1939-1959 by August Derleth" is a publishing history and annotated bibliography written in the mid-20th century. The book traces the origins and development of Arkham House and its role in preserving and promoting weird fiction, especially the legacy of H. P. Lovecraft. The narrative begins with Lovecraft’s death inspiring the decision to collect and publish his work after mainstream publishers declined, leading to the founding of Arkham House, early financing by advance orders and personal funds, and the slow but decisive success of the inaugural omnibus. It then charts the press’s expansion into macabre, fantasy, and science fiction, the creation of allied imprints for detective pastiches and other specialties, the import of key British authors, and the practical lessons learned about print runs, pricing, design, and production.