| Author | Message | ||
     Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.34.84 |
I recently received my pre-ordered copy of this massive tome, and after having sat down and browsed through it a few times, I can safely say it's one of the most spectacular art books I own. Anyone who likes Lovecraft or just horror art/illustration in general should get themselves a copy of this book. It's not cheap, but it's well worth every penny, and will only go up in price as the tears go by. Remember that huge Mario Bava volume we were discussing not that long ago? That goes for at least 2-3 times its original price now. If you can afford it, don't hesitate, folks - it is a truly amazing book that has obviously been put together with a great deal of love and effort. Centipede Press deserve a lot of praise for putting together such a breathtaking volume. It doesn't mention it on the following link, but in the publisher's customer emails they say that the few remaining copies of the 'regular' edition can be bought at a discount if you order directly through them, and they are also selling slightly dented copies of the more expensive editions for up to $200 less than the original price. You can get a little bit of an glimpse of the book here, but the few sample pictures don't do the book justice at all:http://www.millipedepress.com/centipede-press/artists-inspired-by-h-p-lovecraft Artists Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft by | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.34.84 |
'Tears' should be 'years', obviously. D'oh! | ||
| Hubert (Hubert) Username: Hubert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 78.22.226.126 |
Gawd, that's expensive! | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.34.84 |
Yep, but considering the content, it's absolutely worth it. It will cost a fortune in the future. The regular edition (i.e. non-traycased, without the extra prints) can be had for half-price from the publishers ($195 instead of $395). I nearly didn't order this, and was wondering whether I'd made a mistake right up until the day I received it, but now that I have it I'm glad I decided to buy it. I doubt we'll ever see a book like this again. Every page reveals new wonders (and horrors!). | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 85.158.139.99 |
That looks lovely, but that's a price and a half, isn't it? $395 for the cheapest version! | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.34.84 |
Yes, but you can have it for $195. Think about it - that's the cost of about a dozen DVDs. All that gorgeous artwork, to be enjoyed for a lifetime... | ||
| John_l_probert (John_l_probert) Username: John_l_probert Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 90.208.214.33 |
OK Huw, seeing as you are a man of fine taste I have followed your recommendation and put my order in! It had better be good now  | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.183.152 |
Wise decision, your Lordship! If you don't like it I'll burn my Arkham House collection! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.168.57.219 |
If JLP doesn't like it, he'll burn your Arkham House collection! So how exactly does one get it for $195, Huw? Seems a good deal at that price. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.168.57.219 |
Just had a closer look at the examples. I think I have more than half in or on books already! | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.244.154.50 |
I can indeed imagine the resale value to be climbing in the future and these are fun pictures, for sure, but is it art? No, I don't think so. Yes, many of them are well crafted but for me that doesn't make them art. Give me an Edward Hopper book (or one about Zed's fave painter - forgot the name, he posted links a few months ago) every day. | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.108.49.38 |
But do they have night-gaunts? I think not. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 61.216.34.156 |
Tom, of course it's art! I consider Hannes Bok, H.R. Giger and others artists. Some of the artwork is more on the gaudy side (the Ballantine covers, for example, which are lurid but fun), but there are some incredibly evocative pieces in there too. It reflects the broad range of styles employed by Lovecraft's illustrators over the years. Mick, when I first looked at the samples given on that page I felt the same way, but there is so much more in the book, much of which I've never seen before. It's great to have full-page reproductions of Arkham House covers in all their glory. There's loads of stuff from the pulps in there, along with more 'serious' artwork. If you're interested, email the publisher and tell them that you heard they were selling the last copies of the 'standard' edition for $195. They definitely stated this was the case in their newsletter, so it shouldn't be a problem. | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.78.35.170 |
> Tom, of course it's art! I consider Hannes Bok, H.R. Giger and others artists. When I was a teenager, I thought that Giger was great. When I now browse the book on him that I have, I find most of his work technically impressive but also empty and cheap... Otherwise, I do think that most of these lovecraftian illustrations are fun when printed on, let's say, playing cards, or as covers for pulp novels. I know it's difficult to discuss about tastes in art, but even so I think that works by Edward Hopper, Frederic Church, Picasso, Klee etc pack much more emotional power. Or if I have to refer to hip, modern art, someone like Banksy usually also works on a different level. Anyway, de gustibus... | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.181.224.138 |
Looks like a beautiful book, Huw - and a decent investment, if you're that way inclined. The J.K. Potter sample pic (on the website) looks like a variation of the 'Cold Print' photomontage from Alone with the Horrors - any info given in the book? |