Volume I launches the series in fine form, exploring letters from three of Lovecraft’s most fascinating correspondents: Duane W. Rimel, R.H. Barlow, and Robert E. Howard. These letters each cover a lot of ground, with Lovecraft discussing his travels, recently published literature and poetry, current affairs, science, linguistics, neighbourhood cats, and much more besides.

•  Volume I, No. 1 – H.P. Lovecraft to Duane W. Rimel, 19 November, 1934
•  Volume I, No. 2 – H.P. Lovecraft to R.H. Barlow, 19 March & 10 April 1934
•  Volume I, No. 3 – H.P. Lovecraft to Robert E. Howard, 8 June 1932

Each letter is presented in full in its own volume, accompanied by material directly referenced by Lovecraft in the respective letter, as well as supplemental material selected by our editors to help guide the reader in understanding the context and content of his correspondence. Archival material is prominent, with contemporary prose, poetry, artworks, and even advertisements making an appearance. Original writing, including scholarly articles, and original artworks have been commissioned for the project, with each book containing several examples of each. Each handy, journal-sized issue is printed in full colour on premium paper smythe-sewn, and case-bound with a quarter-binding, with the spines lettered in gold foil. These books will look beautiful on the bookshelves of your library.

A diverse array of authors and artists have contributed to the first three issues of Miskatonic Missives, which will incorporate the written word and visual arts from creators in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is our sincere hope that the successful launch of Volume I of Miskatonic Missives will allow us to continue to work with a broad range of scholars, artists, authors, and other creators to produce three more issues in a beautiful second volume in due course!

To ensure an immersive experience for the reader, each book will comes with a selection of three replicas of contemporary items related to the contents of that issue’s letter: postcards, ticket stubs, catalogue pages, photographs, and more. Each of these items has been prepared in conjunction with the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, drawing on their vast experience in producing convincing facsimiles of a wide range of historical documents and ephemera. The experience of reading about Lovecraft’s bus trips whilst holding a replica ticket stub, for example, provides an engaging new way to enjoy his letters.

Vol. I, No. 1 – Lovecraft to Rimel, Nov. 1934

In one of our favourite letters, H.P.L. writes to young aspiring young author Duane W. Rimel of many things, but most perhaps expounds most extensively on his fondness for cats. The letter goes on to provide his thoughts on idiosyncrasies of New England speech, a discourse on local cheese nomenclature and the strange history of the Owyhee Idaho Spud, among other topics. Issue 1 is a great taste of the broad variety of topics covered in Miskatonic Missives.

Vol. I, No. 1 includes the following facsimile items:

• A period postcard depicting a view of College Street in Providence, Rhode Island;
• The wrapper from Owhyhee Idaho Spud, a candy (sweet) with an interesting history;
• Handwritten notes for Lovecraft’s The Shadow Out of Time, in his own hand; and
•  4th item now unlocked: a beautiful letterpress reproduction of Duane Rimel’s linocut portrait of H.P. Lovecraft.

Vol. I, No. 2 – Lovecraft to Barlow, Mar. & Apr. 1934

In this delightful pair of letters, H.P.L. discusses plans for his imminent trip to DeLand, Florida, to meet his teenage correspondent Robert H. Barlow in person for the first time. Lovecraft describes his travel strategies in substantial detail, talks at some length about mental health, and breaks down the contents of the current issue of Weird Tales.

Vol. I, No. 2 includes the following facsimile items:

• A period postcard a wealthy neighbourhood in DeLand, Florida;
• A Florida Motor Lines bus ticket stub, like that Lovecraft would have received on his travels during this period;
• A page from a catalogue showing ‘The Luck of Edenhall’, a glass beaker with a fascinating history; and
•  4th item now unlocked: a re-creation of a period map of DeLand, Florida.

Vol. I, No. 3 – Lovecraft to Howard, Jun. 1932

In this challenging missive, Lovecraft writes to fellow author Robert E. Howard while on a trip to New Orleans. Lovecraft discusses issues of the day, including the Massie Affair, an incident in the Hawaiian Islands which proved a magnet for many of America’s ugliest racial views.

Vol. I, No. 3 includes the following facsimile items:

• A period postcard showing a view of a riverboat in New Orleans;
• A newspaper clipping relating to the ‘Massie Affair’;
• The first page of the handwritten manuscript for The Diary of Alonzo Typer, by William Lumley; and
•  4th item now unlocked: a photo of a young cosplaying Robert E. Howard.