Long time readers of this blog will know that I consider Abraham Merritt a foundational author in the creation of the genre we now call "fantasy" – an opinion shared by none other than Gary Gygax, who listed him among the authors of Appendix N. In the past, I've called Merritt fantasy's "forgotten father" in the past and I stand by that assessment. His "poetic and imaginative prose," to borrow Clark Ashton Smith's description of it is unique, as is his wild and occasionally feverish creativity.
Sadly, many of Merritt's best stories are no longer in print. If they are available, they're in a cheap, unattractive format that doesn't do them justice. That's why I am so pleased that DMR Books, one of the best small press publishers of what I call "pulp fantasy" is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the publication of The Ship of Ishtar with the publication of a new edition of the novel.
This new edition features Merritt's preferred version of the book's text, as well as an introduction by pulp expert Doug Ellis and an afterword by author and critic Deuce Richardson. Ellis has also assembled a collection of Ishtar-related ephemera in order to give a fuller picture of the novel and its significance. Just as important is the inclusion of nearly two dozen vintage illustrations by Virgil Finlay, one of the most celebrated illustrators of the Pulp Era.
It's a terrific edition of an important early work of pulp fantasy and I couldn't be happier that it's being released by DMR Books, many of whose previous releases now sit proudly on my shelves. DMR has led the way in making the works of lesser-known authors like Clifford Ball, Nictzin Dyahlis, A.B. Higginson, and Arthur D. Howden Smith, among others. available once again. That's an invaluable service and one for which those of us who appreciate older works of fantasy should be grateful.
If you're at all interested in Merritt or the foundational works of fantasy, I urge to take a look at the Centennial Edition of The Ship of Ishtar or indeed any of DMR's catalog of pulp authors. I say this not as someone with any involvement with DMR Books beyond being an admirer and well wisher. Like Merritt himself, they ought to be better known and appreciated for all that they do.
You may also enjoy "Jurgen," if you haven't already read it.
ReplyDeleteThe illustrations are fantastic! I haven't read Merritt yet, to my shame. I will definitely be doing so. Tracing the literary map of influences up to a certain point it time, whether it's Appendix N or the Pulp era, is always fascinating and provides a deep appreciation for what inspired writers of certain stories, making the stories themselves even more enjoyable. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Virgil Finlay was EASILY one of the best pulp artists. He and Merritt were friends and Finlay did some of his best work on Merritt's tales.
DeleteMerritt's reach was vast. Robert E. Howard, Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Max Brand/Frederick Faust, Arthur Leo Zagat, Edmond Hamilton, August Derleth, CL Moore, Jack Williamson, Leah Bodine Drake, Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, RH Barlow, Hugo Gernsback, E.E. "Doc" Smith, A.E. van Vogt, Leigh Brackett, Robert Bloch, Poul Anderson, Ray Bradbury, Andre Norton, Donald A. Wollheim, Gardner F. Fox, Henry Kuttner, Sam Moskowitz, Julius Schwartz, A. Bertram Chandler, Lester Del Rey, James Gunn, Frederik Pohl, Algis Budrys -- all admired him.
The same can be said for newer authors like Moorcock, Mike Resnick, Barry N. Malzberg, Lin Carter, Robert Silverberg, Ray Capella, Brian Stableford, Anne McCaffrey, Stephen King, Karl Edward Wagner, Fred Chappell, CJ Cherryh, Brian Lumley, James Cawthorn, Robert Weinberg, Gary Gygax, Ben P. Indick, Sheri S. Tepper, Keith Taylor, Robin McKinley, Marvin Kaye, Baird Searles, Ardath Mayhar, Gardner Dozois, Eileen Kernaghan, Piers Anthony, Stephen Hickman, Ed Gorman, Orson Scott Card, SM Stirling, Tim Powers, Raymond E. Feist, Elizabeth Hand, Frank Lauria, Cory Panshin, Douglas Preston, John C. Wright, Paul di Filippo, Charles R. Rutledge, John C. Hocking, Adrian Cole, Dave Hardy, John C. Tibbetts, Steve Rasnic Tem, Ryan Harvey, Christopher Chupik, Keith West, Fraser Sherman, JD Cowan, William Meikle, John E. Boyle, Brian Niemeier, Jay Barnson, Aonghus Fallon, Daniel B. Davis, Ken Lizzi and D.M. Ritzlin.
ReplyDeleteI've ordered my physical copy and I am really looking forward to it. What many consider to be the greatest work of the Lord of Fantasy AND artwork by Virgil Finlay? I couldn't pass that up even without the other extras. It looks like DMR Books has done their usual class act and I hope they get the credit they deserve for reprinting this classic.
I've always thought Finlay's work looks astonishingly "au courant," given the time in which he was working. He obviously was part of that whole early/mid-20th century commercial illustration tradition (Brandywine school, Leyendecker brothers, Norman Rockwell, Andrew Loomis, et al.), but his drawings have a liveliness that keeps them looking fresh. It's a shame that he's not more known beyond pulp enthusiasts, as compared with the also-great Frazetta, who turned into a cultural phenomenon. Maybe it's just because Finlay didn't do enough color work.
ReplyDeleteVirgil Finlay must have influenced Erol Otus, because that last illustration could almost be an Erol Otus. At least the demon-thing part. The shading is very similar.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the stipple effects and cartoon-realism could have inspired the similarly busy and dynamic work of Russ Nicholson and Alan Hunter in the first Fiend Folio.
DeleteAnony you might be interested in checking out Hannes Bok's work too. He was another weird tales guy who I suspect influenced Otus. Used a lot of detail like Finlay but wasn't as realistic in style. Super fun freaky stuff!
DeleteI only saw the top of the picture for a little bit while I reading the text above and to be honest thought I was going to scroll down to find an Otus actually!
DeleteInteresting that you mention Hannes Bok - he was a big Merrit fan. I just read his book The Sorcerers Ship which is pretty likely inspired by the Ship of Ishtar (man pulled out of time onto a ship) though it explores more of a modern style, if very spare, fantasy world. Apparently he finished Merrit's story The Fox Woman after Merrit's death.
DeleteThat's very cool to know! I've got a few books on illustrators and he has a good amount of pages dedicated to him but they're mostly art samples... I don't know squat about him as a person. Thx!!
Delete"Merritt's preferred version of the book's text"
ReplyDeleteI have long wondered if Merritt preferred his texts as originally published in the various serials, or if he preferred them as revised for book form. Does anyone have any insights?
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. That art is downright amazing!
ReplyDelete