The Shunned House

Want to own a piece of literary history? Arkham House co-founder Donald Wandrei’s personal copy of H.P. Lovecraft’s first book, The Shunned House, is on sale. John King Tarpinian notes that James Pepper Rare Books of Santa Barbara will happily make it yours for $17,500:

The Shunned House. Athol, Massachusetts: W. Paul Cook – Recluse Press, 1928. First Edition of the Author’s First Book of Fiction. Arkham House Co-Founder Donald Wandrei’s own copy of the rare Arkham House bound copies of the 1928 printed Lovecraft book that was not bound and distributed in Lovecraft’s lifetime, and was bound and issued and issued by Arkham House in 1961. With the Donald Wandrei estate bookplate on the front pastedown. Bound in full black cloth with gilt-stamping on the spine, not issued in a jacket. The cancel copyright notice is Currey state A (bold face). However, in this copy the copyright cancel notice is not affixed to the copyright page, instead, it is affixed vertically to the front free endpaper.