Weird Tales/Volume 31/Issue 2/The Eyrie
VIRGIL FINLAY'S series of full-page drawings interpreting weird fragments of great poetry has won the favor of our readers—overwhelmingly. His inspired imagination and faultless artistic technique has caused a deluge of enthusiastic letters to pour into the editor's office. This feature will appear in Weird Tales every month. The current pictorial interpretation is not a fragment of weird poetry, but is a grotesque picturization of an old Cornish litany. Just wait until you see Mr. Finlay's illustration of Tam o' Shanter pursued by the warlocks!
A Club for WT Fans
Gertrude Greazeale writes from Prospect, Oregon; "Months have passed since my first letter of praise appeared in your magazine. The shock of seeing myself in print was almost too much for me. Now I emerge once more from silence and oblivion with more praises and a suggestion. Since my first effort was in honor of Virgil Finlay, I am practically gibbering with delight at sight of the full-length picture by that matchless artist. This new feature is a grand idea, I can hardly wait for the next one! Incidentally, although his color work is beautiful, still, he expresses the weird more truly in black and white; the shading is far more effective in that medium, the faces and figures appear more life-like. Now, a bouquet for the Eyrie. I find this department almost as interesting as the fiction. The letters prove that people of intelligence and education are among your most enthusiastic readers. In view of that fact, why is it that I seldom or never meet anyone, intelligent or otherwise, who is interested in the weird and unusual? My friends and acquaintances express either repugnance or amusement when they find me with a copy of Weird Tales. My suggestion: Why can't the Eyrie organize a club for lovers of the weird, with a membership pin designed by Finlay? This to be worn so that Weird Tales fans may recognize each other, and may get acquainted without the formality of an introduction, if so desired. In these parts, kindred spirits seem to be as scarce as hen's teeth, but a club might unearth a few in my vicinity. Special greetings to Gertrude Hemken, whose 'zippy' letters are a great source of enjoyment. Now I shall crawl back into my shell and await developments!" [This letter is but one of many requests that we have received suggesting a get-together department in Weird Tales. If any of you, the readers, desire to correspond with other lovers of weird literature and exchange ideas, we suggest that you send your name and address to Weird Tales Club Department, in care of this magazine. If enough readers are interested, we will mail the list of names and addresses each month to those who wish to be enrolled for this service. This, we think, would be more satisfactory than to publish the names and addresses in the Eyrie.—The Editor.]
Into Fairyland
Louise Gayle writes from Rome, Georgia: "A friend told me about Weird Tales and I have just finished reading my first one. Half through the first story my main thought was, Where have you been all my life? Then I decided to write and say thanks a million to the editors. My favorite story in this copy is The Black Statue, with Child of Atlantis as runner-up. Where do the writers get such imagination? Reading Weird Tales is like stepping from your own room right into fairyland. So I say, long live your magazine and such writers as Mary Counselman, Edmond Hamilton and B. Wallis. I am going to read every copy after this."
Poe Is His Favorite
Thomas Gelbert writes from Buffalo: "The Sea-Witch gets my vote for first place in the December issue. I heartily approve of the series of full-page pictures illustrating passages in famous literature. Poe is my favorite author, and to have Virgil illustrate his Raven and Israfel is something to look forward to. I would like to see more reprints by the old masters, such as Gautier, Rousseau, Maupassant, Irving, Turgeniev, and others. It is a waste of valuable space to print stories in Weird Tales that nave already appeared therein before."
Ray T. Leslie writes from Toronto: "I am a constant reader of WT and have a love for the bizarre and unusual in fiction. To me WT is a great source of diversion from boring realities. When I am reading such engrossing tales as H. P. L.'s The Shunned House and G. G. Pendarves' Thing of Darkness I live in the horror surrounding these stories. This month's top story as I read your magazine was certainly Child of Atlantis, a weird tale if ever one was written. This story begins where most happy-ending stories finish: on the honeymoon."
The September Issue
Harry S. Weatherby, of Millington. Maryland, writes: "September's edition of Weird Tales was one of me best I've ever read, and I have been reading your magazine intermittently for twelve years. I particularly like the good old-fashioned ghost yarn, and I think your shorter stories are better than the longer space-fillers. My hat is off to Manly Wade Wellman for his short tale, School for the Unspeakable. I was reading it late at night and it certainly made my flesh crawl. I want to read more stories by this author. Second best was your new serial story, The Lake of Life by Edmond Hamilton. I have always praised Mr. Hamilton's efforts: he surely knows how to transplant you into other worlds. The rime Psychopotnpos by H. P. Lovecraft was thrilling. It is with a feeling of deep regret that I think of Mr. Lovecraft's passing. His will be a great loss to the literary world."
Impressive Illustrations
J. Vernon Shea, Jr., writes from Pittsburgh: "The most impressive thing about the December issue is the Virgil Finlay illustrations. The one for The Black Stone Statue is one of his best, an especially shuddery thing; and I applaud his new series of illustrations from famous poems, which answers my request for illustrations outside the magazine proper. Of the stories, I liked best Mary Elizabeth Counselman's The Black Stone Statue, although it left open a number of questions: how did the thing ear, if everything it touched Midas-like turned to stone? How did it mate? I was very glad to see Donald Wandrei appear once more, with his genuinely eery Uneasy Lie the Drowned, and hope he will be represented soon again. The recent experiments in extra-sensory perception conducted at Duke University lent especial interest to Claude Farrère's odd little story. Edmond Hamilton departed for once from his formula, and Child of Atlantis is one of his best stories."
Incredible
Professor T. O. Mabbott writes from New York City: "December–A grand issue–The Sea-Witch best, Polaris notable, and The Keen Eyes of Kara Kèdi a real masterpiece. Seabury Quinn is a master of technique, but the Flames was not up to his standard, as I found the natural part of the story too hard to believe. My passion in a weird tale is credibility, when one is reading it. There are things that are purely supernatural and must be taken as such, there are other things physically possible but unlikely to happen, and there is a third kind of impossibility, where dimension enters in. The last two are dangerous, as they arouse an unbelieving mood, and so put one out of the acceptance of the frankly supernatural. So I wished the curtain had only been put back yearly in the Black Pharaoh, because a foot a day for some thousand years is too many miles to walk in an evening. The priest could have called the last night of the year, or the day for moving been fixed by the stars. But the Black Pharaoh is a fine tale. Child of Atlantis and The Black Stone Statue however are completely worked out, nothing incredible in the way: the same is true for Laocoon. One word of defense for the incredulous attitude of Doctor Trowbridge; it is a convention for the narrator to be a person to whom things must be explained, as they have to be told to the reader. In a series it tires the old reader, but a writer has to keep his work intelligible to the reader who begins in the middle of a series. Suter's end to the Abyss also seemed to me justified, for even if it did not involve really supernatural things, it did take us into the world of the half-conscious and delirious mind, which is the first step into the weird, as telepathy is the second, though neither is magic or ghostly."
Trudy
Gertrude Hemken writes from Chicago: "Wow! Wotta nude by Finlay! Honestly, she looks almost real 'ceptin' her nose ends almost too sharply. Coming along with Finlay, I'm sure it will be interesting to see his full page pictures–particularly Poe's Raven and The Skeleton in Armor, which poem ranks among my favorites. May I suggest one of my other favorites–which I have mentioned in a previous letter. Goethe's Erl-King. Or is he too vague a character? The Sea-Witch is as strange and romantic as the author's name. Never have I read a tale so pleasing–somehow this Heldra Helstrom calls to mind that lovely tale of Fouqué and its heroine Undine. Water people–Norse legends–it's all so fascinating and seems so true, just as a dream seems true to its dreamer. It's a story to be remembered a long, long time, and I will keep it in my mind's library along with sagas, myths, legends and folklore. This is the top story in the December issue, and ranks above the others from many issues back. Robert Bloch really has something with his Black Pharaoh's prophecy–can it be that any one man can foresee what is to come for thousands upon thousands of years? It's a question for meditation. The Black Stone Statue had a Medusa tinge to it, although so very different. I rather liked it. Second best yarn was Quinn's Flames of Vengeance. Somehow the author seemed to deviate from the stilted pattern into which he was falling–and I am quite glad of it. This differed from narsty ghosts and sperrits–this was Hindoo magic–about which there is such a mystery and which seems to remain unexplained through the ages. Well, Mr. Hamilton: Although I don't like robots and superior intelligences (if such word there be), Child of Atlantis proved interesting–
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as all tales of Atlantis interest me. However, sir–permit me to correct you. On page 712 when David is accosted by the two Europeans, the German Leutnant should have asked 'Woher kommen Sie?' not 'Woher kommst du?' In speaking to a stranger, a German will always use the polite form 'Sie' unless that stranger be a child or one beneath the speaker. Ah!–a cat tale (no puns) Kara Kedi was a tense enough story–but the ending was somehow dull. However, I did like the author's description of Kara Kedi–its long legs and lithe body. I'm sure I would like him–just as I like all cats. HPL's short fantasies are so dream-like–rather sweet–rather puzzling. Polaris is a fine little one–much to my taste. Looking through comments from Eyrieites, I see where Pete Thompson of Seattle voices practically the same thots I do re Mr. Pryke's letter par excellence. I find mutual sentiments with G. W. Skora of Tucson–who is carried away into living the story–even as do I."
Finlay's Verse-illustrations
Manly Wade Wellman writes from New York City: "Let me get my two cents' worth over, in favor of Virgil Finlay's full-page verse-illustrations. This painstaking young artist is one of your notable discoveries. My limited art education gives me some appreciation of the tine and trouble he must consume in doing that stippling and crosshatching, and he has withal a mighty feeling for the macabre. Maybe I'm prejudiced toward the short-short form, but I pick Wandrei's Uneasy Lie the Drowned as the finest in the December issue. Incidentally, I am gratified at numerous appreciations in the Eyrie of my own efforts to be horrible in small compass."
Competition
Arthur L. Widner, Jr., writes from Bryantville, Massachusetts: "They say competition is the life of trade and it seems to be true also in the case of artists. The picture of the Donna Marchesi on the October cover is the best Brundage cover I have yet seen. In fact, I would say it was the best weird cover I have yet seen by anybody. I can just imagine Mrs. Brundage wielding a wicked crayon, and muttering to herself, "So that young whippersnapper, Virgil Finlay, thinks he can show me up! Hmmph–I'll show him something about beautiful gals.' No doubt the 'young whippersnapper' will now go to work and turn out something just too ultra-ultra."
Those Finlay Drawings
James Forrest Gall, Jr., writes from Portland, Oregon: "For the past ten years I have been a silent, content reader. Having no reason to complain, I have never written After reading your magnificent December issue, though, I had to express my delight somehow. Finlay's superb full-page drawing was a great surprize. Do continue them! In Virgil Finlay, you have a great illustrator. His work is so gripping in its personal and original touch. Each picture has an atmosphere of its own. Every detail is carried to its fullest interpretation. Notice the eyes, mouth, even the hands convey their message of weirdness. The illustration for this issue's Fane of the Black Pharaoh is exquisite in its adapted form of true stylized Egyptian art. The cover, also, was excellent. I share with others their deep personal loss in the deaths of Howard Phillips Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard. H. P. L. was to me the absolute best in contemporary 'weirds.' His death was a strangely personal loss to me. I still cannot accept the fact that I shall no longer be able to read his immortal stories. The Sea-Witch by Nictzin Dyalhis was my favorite choice of this issue. Barbaric, deeply moving in its beauty, time stood still for me when I read this gem. Robert Bloch again was superb. The Black Stone Statue is written in that same manner which made The Three Marked Pennies so popular. All your stories were tops."
This Unspeakable Horror
Joseph C. Kempe writes from Detroit: "In my estimation, Young Blochinvar from out of the West did not reach his usual standard in his November offering, The Secret of Sebek. Somehow the ultimate disclosure of the fact that Sebek was the real McCoy seemed a rather tame apex for the pyramid of horror char had been built up to it. And the "How-Shall-I-Ever-Forget-This-Unspeakable-Horror" opening is getting a bit outworn, isn't it? Is it really necessary to start effective weird yarns thataway? The inimitable Cahill fellow and several others scan to sidestep it very well. The de Grandin tale was much better than Pledged to the Dead, in the October issue. I think Jules is a swell WT character. I've never yet read one of his exploits that didn't fascinate me in some way and to some extent. This latest one is easily the best story in the November issue. Dread Summons by Ernst was good. However, this writer's stories sometimes give me the impression of having been produced on the assembly-line of the Ford or Chevie plant up here–sorta mechanical. Since this is my first letter, I wish to make a comment on an old story–a comment I've never had the chance to make before. That story is Loot of the Vampire, by Thorp McClusky, which you printed some time ago. I think that story contained the best explanation of vampirism ever to be expounded. Few authors even attempt an explanation. Among your literary novæ–for which this year seems to have been so prolific–I think H. Sivia shows decided promise. I read his two short-shorts, The Interview and The Last of Mrs. Debrugh, with much interest, and I hope you publish something longer by this author in the neat future. His writing isn't splashed all over by great daubs of horrific adjectives. I might also mention that the best illustration for the year–by far–is Finlay's illustration for Dread Summons in the November issue. As a study in human terror it has never been surpassed! I am waiting anxiously for the December Weird Tales."
Charles H. Bert writes from Philadelphia: "A thousand hails for the return of Nictzin Dyalhis, one of your best writers. The Sea-Witch was refreshing like a soft summer breeze in comparison with the horror yarns. I like Dyalhis' style of writing; no other author can compare with him in his excellent choice of words and phrases. The plot was excellent and the way it was handled gave a refreshing new twist to the old theme–an ancient curse and a weird revenge. I liked the story because of the Northmen beliefs and superstitions. Yon must convince Dyalhis to write more often, his stories are too rare. I can recall The Eternal Conflict, The Dark Lore, and The Oath of Hul Jok as marvelous yarns, and it would not hurt your reputation any if you reprinted them…. I liked the cat story by the French writer, The Keen Eyes of Kara Kedi. Good plot and good writing. I felt a sort of spiritual affinity with Polaris by H. P. Lovecraft. I am an
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amateur astronomer myself and I know those heavenly bodies cited by friend Lovecraft well."
Breath-taking Beauty
James O'Regan writes from Springfield, Missouri: "Your new feature by Virgil Finlay will undoubtedly be lauded by your readers. His first illustration, of Sterling's superb passage, is genuinely horrible; yet there is a breath-taking beauty about it. Vampiric illustrations are common, but never have I seen one quite so startling as Virgil's. Words cannot describe my feeling when I saw that lovely, loathsome creature slinking by the grave-stones. The whirling fog and wheeling bats added a distinct touch of horror. One of my friends chanced to see the illustration, and he became a trifle upset. But this is quite understandable. I can't say how I enjoyed The Black Stone Statue by Mary E. Counselman. The repellent horror in the story was excellently depicted, and Finlay's drawing was splendid. I have enjoyed every issue of WT since I first became a reader of your magazine. The type of stories I prefer are those with some fearful terror lurking in every page. I gloat over slimy, bestial things, spawned in some dank, unknown place. I thrill over evil, creeping creatures of the dark, inhabitants of a crumbling tomb. Perhaps my taste is just a bit too shuddery, but there are many other readers with the same preferences."
A Splendid Piece of Fantasy
B. M. Reynolds writes from North Adams, Massachusetts: "Mr. Nictzin Dyalhis certainly turned out a splendid piece of fantastic writing in The Sea-Witch. The theory of reincarnation is a particularly fascinating subject, one which, I believe, should appeal to a great majority of your readers. Many fine tales in the past have been written around this theme. This story was well constructed and well written. The characters were portrayed vividly, seeming almost to step out of the pages to become real living and breathing human beings. Mr. Dyalhis likewise showed a keen knowledge of the Æsir and Norse mythology in general which made a convincing background for the tale. Second best was H. P. L.'s little fantasy, Polaris, one of the finest short-shorts this year. Third: Miss Counselman's The Black Stone Statue–unusual theme, nicely done. The Voyage of the Neutralia by B. Wallis is also a very interesting and, perhaps, prophetic novel. Let's have more yarns of the space-rovers. During the year 1937 you have given us several outstanding stories. After carefully checking over the last twelve issues, I list ten which rank among the best of all time: The Globe of Memories by Seabury Quinn, The Guardian of the Book by Henry Hasse, The Last Archer by Earl Peirce. Jr., The Headless Miller of Kobold's Keep by G. Garnet, The Haunter of the Dark by H. P. Lovecraft, The Black Kiss by Robert Bloch and Henry Kuttner, The Last Pharaoh by Thomas P. Kelley, The Like of Life by Edmond Hamilton, Quest of the Starstone by C. L. Moore and Henry Kuttner, and The Sea-Witch by Nictzin Dyalhis."
December Issue a Pip!
Clifton Hall writes from Los Angeles: "Wow! Weird Tales doesn't believe in doing things half-way, does it? What have they done now but top off their greatest year with the best number I recall having ever read! Yes, that December issue was a pip! There were so many good yarns that it is difficult to select the best three. However, after some deliberation, I'd say that The Sea-Witch slips in with first honors. Let's have some more from Nictzin Dyalhis, who has been strangely silent the past year or so. Lovecraft's short jewel, Polaris, comes next in spite of its brevity. That one belongs with the weird classics. For third I'd say Hamilton's Child of Atlantis, although Fane of the Black Pharaoh and The Black Stone Statue are close behind. Even if this were all, the December WT would be the best in many moons. But there are also Uneasy Lie the Drowned, and Laocoon, plus a pretty good one in Flames of Vengeance! The cover was catchy, and Virgil Finlay's illustration of the vampire was a swell new feature. And now I nave a suggestion to make. Why not have all WT fans vote once a year to select the best story of the past twelve months, just as one of the movie magazines selects the best film of each year? You could use one page as a sort of plaque, with the winners listed, year by year. I sincerely hope that you will print this suggestion, as I believe that many readers will agree with me. I think I'd select Quinn's The Globe of Memories as 1937's best, with Fessenden's Words second, and The Thing on the Doorstep third. Why not see what the other WT-fanciers think?"
Concise Comments
Charles H. Chandler writes from Wooster, Ohio: "The Lake of Life is swell–the more Hamilton the better. Who was the fellow in an earlier story in WT–a couple of years back–a man with a steel hand–interplanetary adventurer? If any more stories about him, or by the same author, are available, let's have 'em! The Brundage covers are another distinctive feature of WT–they're good."
Donald A. Wollheim writes from New York City: "The full-page pictures by Finlay represent one of the best ideas ever. They should give him ample room to portray some of the weirdest drawings that any artist may hope to draw. But why not have a number of copies of each run off on quality slick paper for separate sale? They should make fine pictures for adorning the den of a weirdest."
Robert J. Hoyer writes from Chicago: "The Sea-Witch was a grand take. I dunno, there's something about that fellow Dyalhis' stories that gets me. I've been a fan of his since The Sapphire Goddess."
Andrew J. Wolsey writes from London: "May I take this opportunity of congratulating you on your success in printing, to my mind, the most thrilling serial ever written, namely, The Last Pharaoh?"
Most Popular Story
Readers, let us know which story you like best in this issue of Weird Tales, and why. Your criticism of the stories we print will help us to keep the magazine as you desire it. In the December issue, that strange tale by Nictzin Dyalhis, The Sea-Witch, is far out in front in popularity, as shown by your votes and letters. Address your comments to the Eyrie, Weird Tales, 840 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.
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Works published in 1938 would have had to renew their copyright in either 1965 or 1966, i.e. at least 27 years after they were first published/registered but not later than 31 December in the 28th year. As this work's copyright was not renewed, it entered the public domain on 1 January 1967.
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