THE MYSTERIOUS PRESS ARCHIVE
SPEC.RARE.CMS.384
A Guide and Inventory
Introduction:
The Mysterious Press was founded and edited by Otto Penzler who is universally deemed the world’s foremost authority on and publisher of mystery fiction, a man about whom Robert B. Parker has written, “[He] knows more about crime fiction than most people know about anything.” The archives represent not only the complete manuscripts, corrected proofs, and correspondence of the Mysterious Press’ publications, but pristine copies of all galleys, limited editions, and first editions of the press, as well as other items. Among the many important and influential writers represented in this unique archive are Eric Ambler, Kingsley Amis, Isaac Asimov, Lawrence Block, Jerome Charyn, Len Deighton, Harlan Ellison, James Ellroy (6 titles altogether, including The Black Dahlia and L.A. Confidential), Erle Stanley Gardner, Patricia Highsmith, Elmore Leonard (represented by important miscellaneous materials). Ed McBain, John D. McDonald, Ruth Rendell, Rex Stout, Donald E. Westlake (some 9 titles are included), Gahan Wilson, and numerous others. No other comparable collection of papers representing such breadth and depth of mystery fiction has been, or is likely ever to be offered for institutional sale. Among Mr. Penzler’s many awards are an Edgar Award, the Raven Award given by the Mystery Writers of America for Lifetime Achievement, the Ellery Queen Award given by the Mystery Writers of America for contributions to the world of mystery publishing, and most recently, as the editor of The Lineup—named by The New York Times as one of the 10 Best Books of 2009.
The bulk of the collection consists of materials related to the publication of individual books, sorted first chronologically, and then by author and title, covering the years 1976-1992 (boxes 1-120). This is followed by miscellaneous correspondence and ephemera items. Copies of the books, set aside within text boxes, have been cataloged individually, and may be found in the Libraries’ catalog.
Finding aid created by: Douglas Buggs, Karin Luk, and Lisa Iacobellis..
Overview of the Collection:
Repository: Rare Books and Manuscripts Library
Identification: SPEC.RARE.CMS.384
Creator: Otto Penzler
Title: The Mysterious Press Archive
Dates: 1976-1995
Quantity: 129 archival boxes
Description: complete manuscripts, corrected proofs, and correspondence related
Mysterious Press publications
-- 1976 --
BOX 1
Robert L. Fish, Kek Huuygens, Smuggler, 1976.
Short story collection. Introduction by the author.
Folder 1 Miscellaneous material: Numerous typed letters, signed by the author, many lengthy and dealing with publication and other literary matters; carbon copies of letters from publisher; original contract between author and publisher; correspondence with agent, originals from agent, carbon copies from publisher; artists’s original sketches for dust jacket; assorted production materials and correspondence, invoices, etc.
Folder 2 Setting copy. Tear sheets from magazines, original typescript by author of new ending
for one story. Front and back matter by publisher.
Folder 3 Page proofs, first pass, two sets. One set corrected by author; master set corrected by
publisher, incorporating author’s changes.
Folder 4 Page proofs, final pass.
**Also part of the collection, but catalogued individually**
1. Trade edition: Brown cloth, spine stamped in gold. Monochrome dust jacket, brown on cream paper. Both $10.00 and $20.00 prices appear on front flap. Published at $10.00. Print run: 1,000 copies. “Office File Copy Do Not Remove” on free front endpaper.
2. Limited edition. Identical to trade edition. Pale brown plain paper-covered slipcase. Integral colophon page is numbered and signed by the author. Published at $20.00. Limited to 250 copies (same print run as trade edition). Copy #1.
Peter Todd, The Adventures of Herlock Sholmes, 1976.
Short story collection. Introduction by Philip Jose Farmer.
Folder 5 Miscellaneous. Original typescript of introduction with numerous corrections in Farmer’s hands, several typed letters signed by Farmer, lengthy correspondence with copyright holder, etc.
Folder 6 Page proofs, corrected and initialed by the publisher.
BOX 2
Peter Todd, The Adventures of Herlock Sholmes, 1976. (continued)
Folder 7 Folded and gathered signatures.
Folder 8 Dummy book (smaller than published edition), unprinted binding and blank pages, in
dust jacket.
Folder 9 Sample binding.
Folder 10 Original design and copies/negatives of art.
Also, in Box 1 Oversize, Folder 1 Negatives of art.
** Also part of collection, but catalogued individually**
1. Trade edition: Gray cloth, spine stamped in red with gold lettering. Monochrome dust jacket, dark gray on light gray paper. Published at $10.00. Print run: 1,000 copies.
“Office File Copy Do Not Remove” on free front endpaper
2. Limited edition. Identical to trade edition. Dust jacket price changed to $20.00. Pale gray cloth slipcase. Integral colophon page is numbered and signed by Philip Jose Farmer. Published at $20.00. Limited to 250 copies (same print run as trade edition). Copy #1.
-- 1977 –
BOX 3
Robert Bloch, The King of Terrors, 1977.
Short story collection. Introduction by the author.
Folder 11 Miscellaneous. Includes lengthy correspondence between Bloch and publisher (OP)
regarding contents, editorial matters, plans for a future book, etc.; several handwritten letters and cards and several long typewritten letters, signed by Bloch. Original typescript of introduction, inscribed and signed by Bloch. Original contract between the author and The Mysterious Press, signed by Bloch. Lengthy correspondence with British publisher, John Hale of Robert Hale Ltd., regarding publication, payments, tax issues, etc. Artist’s color sketches and proof for dust jacket. Correspondence with author’s agent, printer, typesetter, etc. Front matter, reviews, etc.
Folder 12 Page proofs. Corrected by the author.
Folder 13 Set of blue line production proofs.
Folder 14 First signature.
**Also part of collection, but catalogued individually**
1. Trade edition. Black cloth, spine stamped in gold. Black, gray and hot pink dust jacket, heavily laminated. Both $10.00 and $20.00 prices appear on front flap. Published at $10.00. Print run: 1,000 copies. Inscribed: All the best/to Otto Penzler/–whose career/of terrifying is/beginning to be /a horrifying success/Warmly/Robert Bloch.
2. Another copy. “Office File Copy Do Not Remove” on first blank page.
3. Second printing, so stated on copyright page. The dust jacket is identical to the first printing except that the laminate is very light. Print run: 1,000 copies.
4. Limited edition. Identical to first trade edition. Black cloth slipcase. Tipped-in limitation leaf is numbered and signed by the author. Limited to 250 copies (same print run as first trade edition). Copy #1. Additionally inscribed: For/Otto Penzler/–the Prime/Minister of Terrors/and the/Power behind/the throne/Affectionately/Robert Bloch.
5. First English edition. Published in hardcover by Robert Hale in 1978.
BOX 4
Maxwell Grant, Norgil the Magician, October 24,1977.
Short story collection. The by-line is the pseudonym of Walter B. Gibson.
Introduction by the author.
Folder 15 Reserved for items listed in the inventory, but not found: Miscellaneous. Includes
original typed manuscript of introduction; lengthy correspondence with Conde Nast
regarding reprint rights; five full-color sketches for the cover; etc.
Folder 16 Set of mechanicals
Folder 17 Blue line production proofs.
**Also part of collection, but catalogued individually**
1. Trade edition. Pale beige cloth, spine stamped in gold. Red, black and white dust jacket by Steranko, also used as a frontispiece. Both $10.00 and $20.00 prices appear on front flap. Published at $10.00. Print run: 1,000 copies.
2. Second printing before publication, so stated on copyright page. Dust jacket identical to first printing. Print run: 1,000 copies.
3. Limited edition. Identical to first trade edition. Black cloth slipcase. Tipped in limitation leaf is numbered and signed as both Maxwell Grant and Walter B. Gibson (author’s real name). Limited to 250 copies (same print run as first trade edition). Copy #1.
[Note: A 20" x 26" poster of the dust jacket illustration was issued in an edition of 1,000 copies at $3.50; a limited edition of 250, signed by Steranko and Maxwell Grant/Walter B. Gibson (same print run) was published at $12.50.]
Ross Macdonald, Lew Archer, Private Investigator, November 2, 1977.
Short story collection. By-line is the pseudonym of Kenneth Millar.
Introduction by the author.
Folder 18 Miscellaneous. Includes twelve holograph letters signed Ken, mostly full-page length, regarding publication, editorial decisions, etc.; original typescript of his introduction, signed, with corrections in his hand, and additionally inscribed To Otto, symbolizing his dedication/to writing and writers, with profound thanks,/Ken/(Ross Macdonald); lengthy correspondence between OP and his agent, carbon copies of lengthy correspondence with Millar, arrangements with the printer, book clubs, reviewers, etc.
Folder 19 Set of blue line production proofs.
Folder 20 Page proofs. Corrected by publisher (OP); only pages with corrections.
Folder 21 Page proofs. Complete set corrected by proofreader.
BOX 5
Ross Macdonald, Lew Archer, Private Investigator, November 2, 1977. (cont.)
Folder 22 Page proofs. Complete master set.
Folder 23 Folded and gathered signatures.
Folder 24 Pamphlet containing introduction. Marked “Office File Copy.” Slightly dusty.
A separate pamphlet of the introduction issued in an edition of approximately 300
copies for promotional purposes. It is the first appearance of the essay, later reprinted on the front page of The New York Times Book Review. Signed on the title page.
Also, in Box 1 Oversize, Folders 2 and 3 First appearance in The New York Times Book Review and Panorama (Chicago Daily News).
** Also part of collection, but catalogued individually**
1a. Trade edition. Brown cloth, spine stamped in gold. White “business card” with title
glued to front cover. Clear acetate dust jacket printed in yellow. Published at $10.00. Print run: 2,000 copies.
1b. Second printing, so stated on copyright page. Dust jacket identical to first printing.
Print run: 1,000 copies. Signed on title page.
1c. Third printing, so stated on copyright page. Brown cloth, spine stamped in gold. Front cover blank. Brown matte dust jacket, printed in yellow. Print run: 1,000 copies.
1d. Fourth printing, so stated on copyright page. Identical to third printing. Print run:
1,000 copies.
2a. Limited edition. Identical to first trade edition. Dust jacket price changed to $30.00
Brown cloth slipcase. Tipped in limitation leaf is numbered and signed by the author (as Kenneth Millar, author’s real name). (Same print run as first trade edition.) Published at $30.00.
Copy #1. Additionally signed (as Ross Macdonald) on half-title page.
2b. Limited edition. Presentation issue, limited to 10 copies, Roman numerals I to X. Copy #I.
3. Large print edition (Vol. 1). Published in trade paperback by John Curley in 1978.
Isaac Asimov, Asimov’s Sherlockian Limericks, 1978.
Sixty limericks, one for each Sherlock Holmes adventure.
Folder 25 Miscellaneous. Includes original 17-page typescript, titled Polmes for Holmes,
several minor corrections in the author’s hand. Original 5-page manuscript correcting
several limericks and several entirely new ones, signed Isaac at end of last page; some
pages a little dusty. Correspondence between Asimov and publisher (OP) regarding
editorial matters, promotion, etc. (includes five typed letters, signed, by Asimov).
Contract between Asimov and The Mysterious Press, signed by Asimov. Set of folded
and gathered signatures. Letter signed by Gahan Wilson transmitting sample signatures,
proof of colored print.
Folder 26 Setting copy. Photocopy of typescript.
Folder 27 Proofs. Several long galleys, inscribed to publisher (OP) and signed in full; another
set with corrections by publisher (OP).
Folder 28 Set of mechanicals and blue line production proofs.
** Also part of collection, but catalogued individually**
1.Trade edition. Brick red cloth, spine stamped in gold. Full-color dust jacket by Gahan Wilson (also used as a frontispiece). Published at $7.50. Print run: 3,000 copies.
“Office File Copy Do Not Remove” on free front endpaper.
2. Limited edition. Identical to trade edition. Dust jacket price changed to $25.00 Brick red cloth slipcase. Tipped-in limitation leaf is numbered and signed by the author and the artist. Limited to 250 copies (same print run as trade edition). Published at $25.00 Copy #1. Additionally inscribed: To Otto/the only true/father and begetter/of this urbane/volume/Isaac Asimov/6 January 1978.
Folder 29 Full-color hand-pulled print, 9" X 12," of the art used for the dust jacket and frontispiece, limited to 500 copies, signed by Gahan Wilson. Inscribed by Asimov: To Otto Penzler/who has incredible/and undeserved luck/Isaac Asimov. This copy not numbered. Published at $20.00.
Edward D. Hoch, The Thefts of Nick Velvet, August 31,1978.
Short story collection. Introduction by the author.
Folder 30 Miscellaneous. Includes 14 typed letters, mainly signed Ed, on numerous editorial and other matters; two different full-color artist’s sketches of proposed dust jackets; contract between the author and The Mysterious Press, signed by Edward D. Hoch; etc.
** Also part of collection, but catalogued individually**
1. Trade edition. Red cloth, spine stamped in gold. Red, black and white dust jacket. Published at $10.00. Print run: 1,000 copies. Review slip laid in. Inscribed: For Otto/Friend and publisher/Warm regards/Ed Hoch.
2. Limited edition. Identical to trade edition. Dust jacket price changed to $25.00 Red cloth slipcase. Pasted to the inside of the rear cover is a pocket, into which is laid a separate pamphlet in red printed stiff wrappers containing a single story, “The Theft of the Persian Slipper,” not sold separately. Limited to 250 copies, numbered and signed by the author (same print run as trade edition). Published at $25.00 An additional unnumbered and unsigned run of approximately 50 copies was printed for promotional and presentation purposes. Copy #1.
Cornell Woolrich, Angels of Darkness, August 31,1978.
Short story collection. Introduction by Harlan Ellison.
Afterword by Francis M. Nevins, Jr.
Folder 31 Typescript of introduction by Ellison. Typescripts of front and back matter.
Folder 32 Setting copy ( photocopies).
-- 1978 --
BOX 6
Cornell Woolrich, Angels of Darkness, August 31,1978. (continued)
Folder 33 Page proofs, corrected by publisher (only those pages with corrections).
Folder 34 age proofs, full set corrected by proofreader.
Also, in Oversize Box 1, Folder 4 Original illustration for dust jacket by Frank
D. McSherry, Jr
** Also part of collection, but catalogued individually**
1. Trade edition. Red cloth, spine stamped in gold. Red, black and white dust jacket by Frank D. McSherry, Jr. Published at $10.00. Print run: 1,000 copies. Review letter laid in. Inscribed: For Otto/For letting me do this/job and honoring me/with even a small touch/of Woolrich’s shade/Harlan Ellison/9 Sept 78/LA.