P. E. H. | Vault Of Evil: Brit Horror Pulp Plus!

dem bones
Janitor Of Lunacy

Hail Horrors, Hail

Thirsty Dog

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P. E. H. Jan 30, 2017 21:31:27 GMT

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Post by dem bones on Jan 30, 2017 21:31:27 GMT

Have been unable to find anything about this artist. To the best of my knowledge, the mysterious 'P.E.H.' contributed just the three interior illustrations to Weird Tales, each of them appearing in the October 1930 issue, then promptly vanished back to wherever he or she came. My first thought was Hugh Rankin operating under yet another pseudonym - The Bride Well bears vague similarities to The House Of The Golden Eyes - but that's about all. Can anyone provide some info?

David H. Keller - The Bride Well

Edmond Hamilton - The Mind Master

V. K. Kaledin - The Silver Curse of Yarlik

From the first, I set myself against "literature"; the story was the thing, and no amount of style could persuade me to select a story that lacked genuine, unadulterated horror. For those who wanted something high-brow there was plenty. - Christine Campbell Thomson

dem bones
Janitor Of Lunacy

Hail Horrors, Hail

Thirsty Dog

Posts: 17,505

P. E. H. Mar 24, 2023 11:07:06 GMT

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Post by dem bones on Mar 24, 2023 11:07:06 GMT

To answer own stupid question (that signature still looks like P.E.H. to me) ....

Hugh Rankin's paintings were done in pastel watercolors and had a shadowy, indistinct style that produced an eerie effect. His interiors were done in charcoal and grease pencil and again had that same indistinct feeling. Rankin was one of the earliest weird-fiction illustrators who was not afraid to attempt an otherworldly creature, and he effectively captured the feeling of many fantasy stories. His monsters were those of the borderline, hidden in shadows or in indistinct outlines.
Rankin also did artwork for Weird Tales using regular illustration pencil and ink. These works were done in an uncluttered, distinct style and were signed "DOAK." Some illustrations in this style were signed "P.E.N."

— Robert Weinberg, A Biographical Dictionary of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists, Greenwood, 1988.

From the first, I set myself against "literature"; the story was the thing, and no amount of style could persuade me to select a story that lacked genuine, unadulterated horror. For those who wanted something high-brow there was plenty. - Christine Campbell Thomson

𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr
Slime Beast

I cried out, and I cried at last ‘‘ Who are you? ”’ I heard him say ‘‘ I was a carpenter’”’...

Posts: 2,214

P. E. H. Mar 24, 2023 11:31:03 GMT

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Post by 𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr on Mar 24, 2023 11:31:03 GMT

Mar 24, 2023 11:07:06 GMT dem bones said:

To answer own stupid question (that signature still looks like P.E.H. to me) ....

Hugh Rankin's paintings were done in pastel watercolors and had a shadowy, indistinct style that produced an eerie effect. His interiors were done in charcoal and grease pencil and again had that same indistinct feeling. Rankin was one of the earliest weird-fiction illustrators who was not afraid to attempt an otherworldly creature, and he effectively captured the feeling of many fantasy stories. His monsters were those of the borderline, hidden in shadows or in indistinct outlines.
Rankin also did artwork for Weird Tales using regular illustration pencil and ink. These works were done in an uncluttered, distinct style and were signed "DOAK." Some illustrations in this style were signed "P.E.N."

— Robert Weinberg, A Biographical Dictionary of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists, Greenwood, 1988.

H is Cyrillic N. But:

www.pulpartists.com/Rankin.html

He lived with his aunt and uncle later in life. His uncle was Paul E. Hermes, maybe he took it from that?

And if e'er you should come down to the village or the town, With the cold rain for your garland, and the wind for your renown, You will stand upon the thresholds with a face of dumb desire, Nor be known by any fire. What would you see in your proud land, Petrarch, If you came back again to Italy, And in the Garden of the Medici Could listen to the nightingale or lark And dream of Laura in the fragrent dark?

𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr
Slime Beast

I cried out, and I cried at last ‘‘ Who are you? ”’ I heard him say ‘‘ I was a carpenter’”’...

Posts: 2,214

P. E. H. Mar 24, 2023 11:37:41 GMT

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Post by 𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr on Mar 24, 2023 11:37:41 GMT

His mother worked on a giant statue of Pele, not the "Black Pearl" footballer, but the Hawaiian goddess.

www.askart.com/artist/Ellen_Helen_Houser_Rankin/10043991/Ellen_Helen_Houser_Rankin.aspx

And if e'er you should come down to the village or the town, With the cold rain for your garland, and the wind for your renown, You will stand upon the thresholds with a face of dumb desire, Nor be known by any fire. What would you see in your proud land, Petrarch, If you came back again to Italy, And in the Garden of the Medici Could listen to the nightingale or lark And dream of Laura in the fragrent dark?

𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr
Slime Beast

I cried out, and I cried at last ‘‘ Who are you? ”’ I heard him say ‘‘ I was a carpenter’”’...

Posts: 2,214

P. E. H. Mar 24, 2023 12:08:42 GMT

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Post by 𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr on Mar 24, 2023 12:08:42 GMT

Also signed his work Quindaro and HR.

www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rankin_hugh.htm

Main Vault Hugh Rankin thread:

vaultofevil.proboards.com/thread/6448/hugh-rankin

And if e'er you should come down to the village or the town, With the cold rain for your garland, and the wind for your renown, You will stand upon the thresholds with a face of dumb desire, Nor be known by any fire. What would you see in your proud land, Petrarch, If you came back again to Italy, And in the Garden of the Medici Could listen to the nightingale or lark And dream of Laura in the fragrent dark?