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Post by redbrain on Dec 3, 2007 18:53:51 GMT
I’ll try to remember everything I wrote about The Hell of Mirrors yesterday. This time, I’m creating the post on Word, so I won’t lose it a second time.
At one time, I owned two books called The Hell of Mirrors edited by Peter Haining. I say “two books” rather than “two copies” because the contents were not identical. Unfortunately, for readers of this board, I now only have my original copy – not the one I bought later. I won’t say anything further about the vanished version of The Hell of Mirrors – my memory of it is certainly incomplete and probably faulty. Perhaps someone else could provide the details.
The Hell of Mirrors remaining in my possession is a Four Square Book dated to December 1965. Although the back of the title page states that it was printed published in Britain, it carries no British price. The price on the front cover is Australian – 6/- or 60c. I assume that Australia decimalised in late 1965 (or early 1966). (Britain had not decimalised at that time, and the British price for an 189 page paperback was less than 6/-.) I bought my copy in Woolworths for 6d (in late 1966 or, more likely, early 1967) and have always assumed that it was part of a cancelled export order. Whether it was ever distributed in Britain (other than at remainder prices) I don’t know.
The contents are as follows:
Introduction – Peter Haining The Werewolf – Frederick Marryat Ligeia – Edgar Allan Poe The Black Cat – Edgar Allan Poe Young Goodman Brown – Nathaniel Hawthorn Schalken the Painter – J S Le Fanu The Middle Toe of the Right Foot – Ambrose Bierce The Damned Thing – Ambrose Bierce The Squaw – Bram Stoker Who Knows? – Guy de Maupassant The Drowned Man – Guy de Maupassant The Caterpillar – Edogawa Rampo The Hell of Mirrors – Edogawa Rampo The Knocking in the Castle – Henry Slesar The Fanatic – Arthur Porges
An odd selection, starting with 10 stories easy to find elsewhere – and ending with two unmemorable tales. Sandwiched between are the two reasons for buying the book. On the contents page of my copy the two Edogawa Rampo are ticked in green ink – the work of the Weirdmonger in recommending them to me.
In his introduction, Peter Haining says that these:
…are by a very talented Japanese writer who conceals his identity behind the name Edogawa Rampo, after Edgar Allan Poe. Rampo tried his hand at numerous jobs before settling for writing, and has now established an enviable reputation in Japan through his ghoulish tales which are only intended for the toughest western stomachs. Try The Caterpillar and The Hell of Mirrors and you’ll see what we mean.
(Is that a royal we from Mr. Haining at the end?)
The two stories are not as gruesome as Mr. Haining implies – but are worth reading.
The eponymous Caterpillar is an army officer who lost all four limbs in the war.
The Hell of Mirrors is a spherical mirror inside which someone is foolish enough to place himself.
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Post by dem bones on Dec 4, 2007 11:44:57 GMT
This cover, right red? There was also a The Hell Of Mirrors published by Sidgwick & Jackson in 1974 which in turn was republished as Everyman's Book Of Classic Horror Stories. Fortunately, Alwyn lists the contents for the latter on the mighty Trash Fiction. Why I'm particularly interested in The Hell Of Mirrors Four Square/Nel edition is because I note Jack Adrian cites this as his first anthology and I'm inclined to agree. Fantastic Fiction mentions another title from 1965 Everyman's Book of Classic Horror Stories with no publishing details and I'm wondering if this could be another 'ghost' books like Charles Birkin's non-existent "Death Spawn". Either that, or they're referring to Alwyn's Everyman ...? I'd be delighted to be corrected on this one! If not, who else is in the Haining's first antho club?
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Post by Steve on Dec 4, 2007 15:10:45 GMT
There was also a The Hell Of Mirrors published by Sidgwick & Jackson in 1974 which in turn was republished as Everyman's Book Of Classic Horror Stories... Why I'm particularly interested in The Hell Of Mirrors Four Square/Nel edition is because I note Jack Adrian cites this as his first anthology and I'm inclined to agree. Fantastic Fiction mentions another title from 1965 Everyman's Book of Classic Horror Stories with no publishing details and I'm wondering if this could be another 'ghost' book... or they're referring to Alwyn's Everyman ...? I'd be delighted to be corrected on this one! If not, who else is in the Haining's first antho club? I'm in! In fact, I never doubted it... or at least, if you'd asked me what Haining's first antho was without any prompts, I'd have said The Hell Of Mirrors without a second thought. Not sure who or what might have put it into my head - you probably - but, yeah, I'm sure you're right... ...of course, I could be wrong... Either way, I think you've answered your own question about Everyman's Book of Classic Horror Stories. Looks like Fantastic Fiction are getting their Mirrors/ Everyman's crossed. That one definitely came out in 1976. Haining had done his "startling expose which reveals the shocking facts of Satanism today" with A. V. Sellwood in '64 ("nude dancers of the North"? Nothing Satanic about that, it's just a right good night out...), but The Hell Of Mirrors was his first antho. Wasn't it..? Yeah. Probably... Hope this helps!
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Post by redbrain on Dec 4, 2007 16:49:05 GMT
Yup - that's the one, Janitor of Lunacy!
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Post by redbrain on Dec 4, 2007 16:53:16 GMT
There was also a The Hell Of Mirrors published by Sidgwick & Jackson in 1974 which in turn was republished as Everyman's Book Of Classic Horror Stories. Fortunately, Alwyn lists the contents for the latter on the mighty Trash Fiction. I feel pretty sure that was the other Hell of Mirrors I used to own. I did have a vague memory of it being the same as a book in the Everyman's Library. That seemed so improbable yesterday that I hesitated to write it.
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Post by dem bones on Dec 4, 2007 19:15:17 GMT
Steve, I've long valued your judgement in such matters so I'm quietly confident that the NEL Hell is his first. Fantastic Fiction have previous and there info has been repeated by others, though I note nobody seems able to provide a publisher for this mysterious 1965 edition of the Everyman book. Doubtless far from what the authors intended, but Devil Worship In Britain is perhaps my ultimate feel-good book. I treat myself to a re-read maybe once every two years or so and it still cracks me up. Does anyone know if A. V. Sellwood went on to write anything else (especially on Satanism!)?
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Post by justin on Dec 4, 2007 20:23:36 GMT
I'm conscious that every single one of my postings plugs The Paperback Fanatic... so in that self-serving tradition, here is a Peter Haining biblio courtesy of Mike Ashley that will accompany Mike's overview of his work and my interview with the great man in an early 2008 issue.
Should help with Hitchcock, which was first type queries, which we all thrive upon!
1965 The Hell of Mirrors, Four Square Books (pb only)
1966 Beyond the Curtain of Dark, Four Square Books (pb only) The Craft of Terror, Four Square Books (pb only) Summoned From the Tomb, Digit Books (pb only) Where Nightmares Are, Mayflower (pb only)
1967 Anyone For Murder? (ghost-edited as by Alfred Hitchcock), Four Square Books (pb only) Behind the Locked Door and Other Strange Tales (ghost-edited as by Alfred Hitchcock) Four Square Books (pb only) The Gentlewomen of Evil, Robert Hale (hc only) Guaranteed Rest in Peace (ghost-edited as by Alfred Hitchcock) Four Square Books (pb only) This Day's Evil (ghost edited as by Alfred Hitchcock) Four Square Books (pb only) The Late Unlamented (ghost-edited as by Alfred Hitchcock) Four Square Books (pb only) Meet Death at Night (ghost-edited as by Alfred Hitchcock) Four Square Books (pb only)
1968 Dr. Caligari's Black Book, W.H. Allen (pb reprint New English Library, 1969)
The Evil People, Leslie Frewin (pb reprint Ensign Books). The Future Makers, Sidgwick & Jackson (pb reprint New English Library, 1969) The Graveyard Man (ghost-edited as by Alfred Hitchcock). Four Square Books Legends for the Dark, Four Square Books (pb only) The Midnight People, Leslie Frewin (pb reprint Ensign Books, 1974)
1969 The Satanists, Neville Spearman (pb reprint Mayflower Books, 1971) The Witchcraft Reader, Dennis Dobson, Books (pb reprint Pan Books, 1972). The Unspeakable People, Leslie Frewin (pb reprint Ensign Books, 1974)
1970 The Wild Night Company, Victor Gollancz, 1970 (pb reprint Sphere Books, 1972) The Freak Show, Rapp & Whiting (pb reprint Corgi Books, 1971)
1971 A Circle of Witches, Robert Hale (hardcover only); The Clans of Darkness, Victor Gollancz (pb reprint Sphere Books, 1972) The Ghouls, W.H. Allen (pb reprint Orbit Books, 1974, in 2 vols) The Necromancers, Hodder & Stoughton (pb reprint Coronet Books, 1972)
1972 Gothic Tales of Terror. Split into two volumes as Great British Tales of Terror and Great Tales of Terror from Europe and America, Victor Gollancz (pb reprint Penguin Books, 1973) Night-frights, Victor Gollancz (pb reprint Peacock Books, 1975) The Lucifer Society. W.H. Allen (pb reprint retitled Detours Into the Macabre, Pan Books, 1974) The Magicians, Peter Owen (pb reprint Pan Books, 1975).
1973 The Nightmare Reader, Victor Gollancz (pb reprint Pan Books, 1976, in 2 vols.)
1974 Christopher Lee's New Chamber of Horrors, Souvenir Press (pb Mayflower Books, 1976, in 2 vols). The Monster Makers, Victor Gollancz (pb reprint Knight Books, 1980). The Magic Valley Travellers, Victor Gollancz (hc only);
1975 The Ancient Mysteries Reader, Victor Gollancz, (pb reprint Sphere Books, 1978, in 2 vols) The Ghost's Companion, Victor Gollancz (pb reprint Puffin Books, 1978). The Penny Dreadful, Victor Gollancz (hc only) The Fantastic Pulps, Victor Gollancz (hc only)
1976 Weird Tales, Neville Spearman (pb reprint split into 2 volumes as Weird Tales and More Weird Tales, both Sphere Books, 1978) The Black Magic Omnibus, Robson Books (pb reprint split into 2 volumes, both Orbit Books, 1977). Unknown Tales of Horror, Sidgwick & Jackson (pb reprint as The First Book of Unknown Tales of Horror, Mews Books)
1977 Tales of a Monster Hunter (ghost-edited with Peter Cushing) Arthur Barker (pb reprint Futura/Orbit, 1978). The Frankenstein File, New English Library (trade paperback only). Deadly Nightshade, Victor Gollancz (pb reprint Beaver Books, 1977)
1978 The Ghost Finders, Victor Gollancz, (hc only). The Second Book of Unknown Tales of Horror, Sidgwick & Jackson (pb reprint retitled Tales of Unknown Horror, New English Library, 1978). Shilling Shockers, Victor Gollancz (hc only)
1979 M. R. James, Book of the Supernatural, Foulsham (hc only); More Tales of Unknown Horror, New English Library (pb only); Classic Horror Omnibus, New English Library (hc only)
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Post by dem bones on Dec 4, 2007 20:42:28 GMT
Brilliant, Justin! I know Mike Ashley to be a conscientious bibliophile so that's the Hell Of Mirrors saga cleared and the Alfred Hitchcock in one post! Also, I'm relieved that our attempt at a Haining bibliography isn't too embarrassing in contrast!
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Post by justin on Dec 4, 2007 21:01:44 GMT
I know that Mike sat down with Peter in his office for a day with a huge pile of books in front of them, so as well as coming from the impeccable Mr Ashley, Peter Haining confirmed it all. I challenge any of us to improve upon it!
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Post by dem bones on Dec 4, 2007 21:05:01 GMT
Challenge accepted by big show off dem! Peter Haining (ed.) - Summoned From The Tomb (Sidgwick & Jackson, 1973) Introduction - Peter Haining
Washington Irving - Guests From Gibbet Island Edgar Allan Poe - Hop-Frog J. S. Le Fanu - The Bully Of Chapelizod Alexander Pushkin - The Coffin-Maker Bram Stoker - The Judges House Jules Verne - The Ordeal Of Dr. Trifulgas Ambrose Bierce - A Watcher By The Dead Thomas Mann - The Wardrobe M. R. James - There Was A Man Dwelt By A Churchyard Algernon Blackwood - The Goblin's Collection H. P. Lovecraft - Beyond The Wall Of Sleep August Derleth - The Whippoorwills In The Hills Edogawa Rampo - The Caterpillar Basil Copper - The Academy Of Pain Robert Bloch - Floral Tribute Ray Bradbury - The ScytheAs with many of the early Hainings, this one falls into the "nice to have" as opposed to the "indispensable" category. The original Summoned From The Tomb was, according to Haining "my first professionally compiled collection (I had prior to it edited one anthology of classic horror stories but this had been before I became fully involved in the world of publishing)". Writing in 1973, Haining reflects in his introduction: "Finally, let me add that in revising this volume I have added to it one or two stories from another subsequent collection of mine, Legends Of The Dark, which is similarly out of print and while not in my opinion being worthy of reissue itself, did contain some gems which should not suffer because of the dross they appeared with" Actually, he reprinted five stories from "Legends ...", namely, those by Verne, Lovecraft, Copper, Bloch and Bradbury. But it's the alleged "dross" we're all interested in, so here's the roll of shame: Arthur Porges - Solomon's Demon Robert Sheckley - The Altar August Derleth - Here, Daemos! Wesley Rosenquest - The Secret Of The Vault Edward D. Ludwig - A Night With Hecate
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Post by dem bones on Dec 4, 2007 21:37:02 GMT
.... and how about the MEWS reprint of The Craft Of Terror from May 1976? Vault - The AnthologistsPhew! good job it's just criminally modest me and not somebody who'll make a big song and dance about how great they are, eh? I am the king! I am the King! Junkyard King! I'm going to be insufferable all week!
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Post by Steve on Dec 4, 2007 22:04:16 GMT
And I'd only add that The Evil People, The Midnight People and The Unspeakable people were all reprinted by Everest in 1975, of course.
Oh, and...
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Post by dem bones on Dec 4, 2007 22:31:44 GMT
Do you have a scan of the Everest Unspeakable People cover handy, Steve. Don't think I've seen that one.
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Post by Steve on Dec 4, 2007 22:43:10 GMT
Does anyone know if A. V. Sellwood went on to write anything else (especially on Satanism!)? He certainly wrote other books, before and after, but nothing overtly Satanic I'm afraid - mostly about U-Boats and stuff from what I can make out... War at Sea and what have you. Also books about the T.A., the Easter Rising, and the national police strike of 1919. New English Library, June 1973 And how's this for a cover..?
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Post by Steve on Dec 4, 2007 23:00:47 GMT
Do you have a scan of the Everest Unspeakable People cover handy, Steve. Don't think I've seen that one. Have you not? They're all the same idea - the face on the wall thing...
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