Robert Bloch. The Opener of the Way. Arkham House, Sauk City, WI, 1945.

Price: US$520.00 + shipping

Condition: Fine

Description: Arkham House, Sauk City, Wisconsin, 1945. First Edition black cloth Hardcover with DJ, xi + 309 pp. Only 2065 copies printed. This copy is SIGNED on ffep by Bloch. Bloch's first book collection (preceded by a 1945 British pamphlet) and the 10th Arkham House book. Intro by author and 21 stories, including some of his most famous. The final story (One Way to Mars) was written hastily at August Derleth's request and was Bloch's first foray into "phychological horror," a trait he couldn't seem to break. As a result, he blamed Derleth for all his ensuing psychological tales (Psycho, et al). The book is fine, square, unmarked except for Bloch's ink signature. Note that the book's paper is inexpensive and brownish in keeping with the wartime format at that time. The DJ is near fine except for the spine which has some fading, a crease parallel to edges, and a bit of edgewear at bottom and top. DJ is Brodart-protected (mylar). Book is fine and square.

Seller: JAC Books, Cortland, NY, U.S.A.

Bloch, Robert. THE OPENER OF THE WAY. Arkham House, Sauk City, 1945.

Price: US$650.00 + shipping

Condition: Near Fine

Description: xi,309,[1] pp. Publisher's black cloth, spine titled in gold, in pictorial dust jacket. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper. Jacket lightly rubbed, lightly worn at extremities, else near fine. Near fine in a near fine jacket. The full first book (preceded by a 40-page pamphlet) by H. P. Lovecraft protégé and author of PSYCHO, Robert Bloch, containing 21 short stories of fantasy and horror. With a dust jacket illustration and design by Ronald Clyne. One of 2065 copies printed. DERLETH 10.

Seller: W. C. Baker Rare Books & Ephemera, ABAA, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.