DERLETH, August (1909-1971). Typed Letter Signed to Roy A. Squires. Sauk City, WI: 19 September [1939].

DERLETH, August (1909-1971). Typed Letter Signed to Roy A. Squires About "The Outsider," Pre-Publication. Sauk City, WI: 19 September [1939]. One small 4to page on Derleth's light brown stationery. Approximately 7 3/4 x 7 1/4". Addressed "Dear Mr. Squires:" Signed "Sincerely yours, [written in blue pencil] August Derleth [typed] August Derleth".

"This will acknowledge your payment for two copies of H. P. Lovecraft's THE OUTSIDER AND OTHERS. The book is being printed; there is no longer any chance of it's not being printed, since contracts and all are signed, and I've just read proof of the title story, The Rats in the Walls, and The Music of Erich Zann, just a few of the titles in the book. The jacket design will be by Virgil Finlay, and the book will be all around a fine work, complete with a brief introductory biography and, if possible, a good [with typed correction] photograph of HPL. As to the proposed other volumes -- alas! I fear they will never materialize, certainly not if the rate of subscription to the present volume is any guide. Expenses of Don and myself have already mounted to a thousand, will take two thousand more including the printing of this volume; scarcely 100 volumes are so far subscribed. It is no great tribute to the so-called fans of HPL. The books will be shipped to you as soon after November 15 as possible."

Squires (1920-1988) was a well-known horror book dealer and publisher, and was Clark Ashton Smith's literary executor. This is a fantastic letter with an excellent association and fascinating insight into the publication of The Outsider and Others.

Condition

One horizontal central crase. Fine.