Books, Comics, Pulps, Letters, and Drafts Stolen from James Strand of Portand, OR

With an emphasis on H. P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, Arkham House, and Edgar Church/Mile High comics

Missing Items from the James Strand Collection

If you have seen or know the whereabouts of any of these items, please contact:

Scott Brown of Downtown Brown Books

Or if you prefer, Alice Seeger (alice@aseegerlaw.com), who is representing the James Strand estate.

Scott Brown can also provide the contact information of the special agent in charge of the investigation at the Portland field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

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James Strand, of Portland, Oregon, died in August 2023. Shortly after his death, his house was looted and a very valuable collection of books, comics, letters, and drafts was stolen.

Strand collected Arkham House books in depth; had the best (or one of the best) H. P. Lovecraft collections; collected Stephen King from the early days, and also collected first editions of early horror-fantasy-weird fiction, like Lord Dunsany, William Hope Hodgson, M. P. Shiel, etc.

Law enforcement has recovered hundreds of items from many people but thousands of items are still missing. This list includes some of the most significant items, with an emphasis on unique copies that can be easily identified. This list has been compiled from a variety of sources; we appreciate the cooperation of the many dealers and collectors who have supplied information about Strand’s collection.

The Strand Estate may be able to provide compensation to collectors and dealers who purchased stolen material unwittingly. Please contact Scott Brown or Alice Seeger (see above) for details.

The items on this list are grouped under the following topics: Art, Books, Comic Books, Letters & Drafts, and Pulps.

ARTWORK

Jackson, Jack. Skull Comix #4 “The Hound” page 3 Original Art (Last Gasp, 1974).

Jackson, Jack. Skull Comix #4 “The Hound” page 5 Original Art (Last Gasp, 1974).

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BOOKS

Many of these books are unique. Most were first editions, in excellent condition, with dust jackets (when issued with one).

Bloch, Robert. Pleasant Dreams - Nightmares. Inscribed to August Derleth.

Bradbury, Ray. Dark Carnival. Inscribed to his literary agent, “For Julie, in fond remembrance of Norton Street…. ”

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. One of 50 special copies; inscribed, “Happy Birthday, Donn!...”

Bradbury, Ray. October Country. One of 50 copies; inscribed with a drawing, “This is true”] One of 50/copies!/[arrow pointing down]/John!...”

Bradbury, Ray. Publication Archive for The Aqueduct. Corrected typescript plus other materials from Roy Squires.

Brennan, Joseph Payne. Nine Horrors and a Dream. Inscribed to August Derleth

Burks, Arthur J. Black Medicine. Inscribed, “For Alice Conger with sincerest best wishes, Arthur J. Burks/Paradise, PA 17562, 1/5/66”

Burks, Arthur J. Black Medicine. Another copy, fine in a fine dust jacket.

Carl's Bookstore. Book Catalog of HP Lovecraft (Tacoma, 1970).

Derleth, August. Not Long for This World.

Drake, Leah Bodine. A Hornbook for Witches. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Drake, Leah Bodine. A Hornbook for Witches. Another copy. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Drake, Leah Bodine. A Hornbook for Witches (1950). A third copy, fine in a fine jacket.

Eddy, Muriel. Gentlemen from Angell Street.

Fowler, S. Wright. The Throne of Saturn. Inscribed to August Derleth

Fryer, Donald. Songs and Sonnets Atlantean. Inscribed to August Derleth

Haggard, H. Rider. The People of the Mist.

Highsmith, Patricia. The Talented Mr. Ripley. Dust jacket nearly complete, spine slightly toned and with light wear to spine ends, small scuff to front spine joint of dust jacket to the right of “Ripley”; partial split to rear spine joint. The book has a small scuff to the bottom of the front panel near the spine, a series of small black spots to either the front or rear free endsheet.

Howard, Robert E. Always Comes Evening. Galley proof, signed by the compiler, Glenn Lord

King, Stephen. Carrie proof (gutter code o50). Likely note inside about gutter code

King, Stephen. Carrie proof (gutter code p6). Likely note inside about gutter code

King, Stephen. Eyes of the Dragon (Philtrum Press). Copy 263.

King, Stephen. Eyes of the Dragon (Philtrum Press). Copy 680

King, Stephen. Firestarter. Inscribed to James on 7/17/82

King, Stephen. The Gunslinger (trade first). Inscribed to James on 7/17/82. Probably sold from an eBay listing, but not through the site.

King, Stephen. The Plant (at least vols. 1-2). Copy sent to Eric and Laura Norden

King, Stephen. The Stand. Inscribed to James on 7/17/82

King, Stephen. Wind Through the Keyhole (Dark Tower series). Signed, limited copy 128. NB: It is likely that James Strand had the whole set with this number.

Lovecraft, H. P. The Battle that Ended the Century. Mimeographed edition; not recorded in Currey.

Lovecraft, H. P. Cats of Ulthar (Dragon-fly Press, 1935; one of 42 copies). Inscribed by Lovecraft to “Sam.l. E. Loveman”

Lovecraft, H. P. HPL.

Lovecraft, H. P. Lurker at the Threshold (Arkham House).

Lovecraft, H. P. Shadow Over Innsmouth. “Check copy” - first gathering not bound in; other printing oddities

Lovecraft, H. P. Shadow Over Innsmouth (1936). Signed copy

Lovecraft, H. P. The Cats of Ulthar. Incomplete trial pages

Lovecraft, H. P. . 3 Tales of Horror. Inscribed by the illustrator Lee Brown Coye to August Derleth

Loveman, Samuel. The Hermaphrodite. Proof annotated by H. P. Lovecraft

Merritt, A. Creep, Shadow!. Bound in leather; inscribed to Robert H. Barlow

Metcalfe, John. The Feasting Dead. Inscribed to Sandra and August Derleth

Robbins, Tod. Silent, White and Beautiful. no dust jacket

Sloane, William. To Walk the Night. Fine in near fine jacket

Sloane, William M. The Edge of Running Water. A fine copy; vg jacket with tear

Smith, Clark Ashton. Dark Chateau. Inscribed “For Alice Conger with the compliments of Clark Ashton Smith.”

Smith, Clark Ashton. Double Shadow (1933).

Smith, Clark Ashton. Ebony and Crystal. Inscribed to August Derleth

Smith, Clark Ashton. In the Line of the Grotesque and Monstrous

Smith, Clark Ashton. Lost Worlds. Inscribed to his wife, Carol

Smith, Clark Ashton. Out of Space and Time. Inscribed to August Derleth

Smith, Clark Ashton. Sandalwood (1925). Copy No. 3 of 250 numbered & Signed copies. This copy, being Smith's own, was heavily corrected and rewritten by him over the years

Smith, Clark Ashton. Sandalwood (1925). Copy 9 of 250. Inscribed, “For D. A. Wandrei, from the author. Il est des parfums frais comme des chairs d'enfants... — Et d'autres, corrompus, riches et triomphants, Ayant l'expansion des choses infinies. Oct. 25th, 1925”

Smith, Clark Ashton. The White Sybil. Clark Ashton Smith's personal copy with about 14 corrections and 2 revisions in pencil and his signature in ink on the last page of his story.

Thomson, Christine Campbell. Keep on the Light. Presentation copy from Clark Ashton Smith to Donald Wandrei. Fine in near fine jacket.

Wandrei, Donald. Strange Harvest. Inscribed to August Derleth

Wandrei, Donald. The Eye and the Finger. Fine copy

Wellman, Manly Wade. Who Fears the Devil. Inscribed to August Derleth; near fine in a near fine jacket.

COMIC BOOKS

Many boxes of raw, high-grade comics were sold from James Strand’s collection in August to October 2024. Many slabbed comics were also sold during that time. James Strand did not pursue superhero comics, preferring crime and military themed books from the Golden Age. He typically bought the Mile High copy or the best-known copy if that wasn’t from the Edgar Church / Mile High collection.

This list is not complete and will grow.

Air Fighters Comics #3. Slabbed 9.6. Mile High copy?

Air Fighters Comics #10. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

All-New Comics #2. Mile High / Slabbed 9.4

All New Comics #4. Slabbed 9.4. Mile High copy?

Amazing Mystery Funnies v2#9.Slabbed 7. 5

Authentic Police Cases #7. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Boy Comics #8. Mile High / Slabbed 9.2

Boy Comics #14. Mile High copy

Boy Comics #15. Mile High / Slabbed 8.5

Boy Comics #20. Slabbed 9.0. Mile High copy?

Boy Comics #23. Slabbed 9.2

Boy Comics #24. Mile High / Slabbed 9.4

Boy Comics #29.Slabbed 9.4. Probably Mile High copy.

Boy Comics #31. Mile High / Slabbed 9.4

Crime Does Not Pay #23 [States #23 on cover; #22 on the indicia; first issue of this comic]. Edgar Church / Mile High copy, with markings; not slabbed when purchased

Crime Does Not Pay #29. Edgar Church/Mile High, 9.6

Crime Does Not Pay #32. 9.4 Edgar Church/Mile High

Crime Does Not Pay #34. Mile High / Slabbed 9.2

Crime Does Not Pay #38. Slabbed 8.5. Possibly Mile High copy.

Crime Does Not Pay #40. Slabbed 9.4. Probably Mile High copy.

Crime Does Not Pay #41. Promise Collection

Crime Does Not Pay #50. Edgar Church / Mile High

Crime Does Not Pay #51. 9.6 Edgar Church/Mile High

Crime Does Not Pay #54. Slabbed 9.2. Probably Mile High copy.

Crime Does Not Pay #59. Slabbed 8.5. Possibly Mile High copy.

Crime Does Not Pay #60. Slabbed 8. 5?

Crime Does Not Pay #64. Slabbed 9.0?

Daredevil Comics #7. Slabbed, 8. 0 / Edgar Church/Mile High

Daredevil Comics #10. Not slabbed; “March 3 P” stamped in ink in letter D of title

Daredevil Comics #19. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Daredevil Comics #23. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Daredevil Comics #31. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Daredevil Comics #49 .VF/NM Promise Collection

Dynamic Comics #16. 9.0 Edgar Church/Mile High

Exciting Comics #12.

Fight Comics #27. 9.2 Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Fight Comics #41. Big Apple pedigree - 9.2

Fight Comics #57. NM 9.4

Fighting Yank #38. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Funny Pages #40. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Inside Crime #3. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Jumbo Comics #134. Not graded

Military Comics #13. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Military Comics #14. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Murder Incorporated #9. No pedigree. 9.4 (highest graded copy?)

Our Flag #3. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Our Flag Comics #2. 9.4 Edgar Church/Mile High

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle #5. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Startling Comics #30. Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Terrific Comics #4. Slabbed 8. 5 / Edgar Church-Mile High

Underworld #4. 8.5 Edgar Church / Mile High copy

Weird Comics #20. Edgar Church / Mile High copy. We believe this was sold in Portland in early September 2023.

Weird Fantasy #17. Slabbed; high grade; perhaps the Gaines File copy

Wings Comics #84. Mile High

Wow Comics #3. Slabbed 9.4

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LETTERS & DRAFTS

Derleth, August. Letters to Samuel Loveman. More details can be provided on request.

Galpin, Alfred. Letters to Samuel Loveman. More details can be provided on request.

[Lovecraft, H. P.] Barlow, Robert H. Wind That Is in the Grass. 7 typed leaves; 3 with autograph drafts on the back; a drat of a memoir of H.P. Lovecraft.

[Lovecraft, H. P.] Crawford and Koenig. Letters to Frank Utpatel (8). Regarding Shadow Over Innsmouth illustrations dated 25 January 1936 to 10 March 1936.

[Lovecraft, H. P. ]. Material related to the Kalem Club. About 250 pages of letters, fliers, and publications.

[Lovecraft, H. P. ] . [Collected Poems]. Lovecraft, Barlow, Derleth drafts for the preparation of a book of Lovecraft’s verse.

[Lovecraft, H. P.] Barlow, Robert H. Diary (1934). 19 leaves (doublesided), handwritten diary including HPL's visit in 1934

Lovecraft, H. P. Autograph Letter Signed (“Yours, for conservatism & the Main Stream —Grandpa”) to “Young Man,” i. e. , Frank Belknap Long. 2 pp. , closely written in ink, 107 lines (approx. 1,250 words) on recto and verso of a single sheet.

Lovecraft, H. P. Autograph letter to Clark Ashton Smith (Summer 1934). 4 pages. ["Dear Klarkash-Ton"]; Dated "Summer 1934" at top of first page in Smith's hand.

Lovecraft, H. P. Autograph Note, signed (Ech-Pi-El), to Clark Ashton Smith, postmarked De Land, Fla. , 1 May 1934,. On a picture postcard with printed caption A Beautiful Southern Sunset Scene.

Lovecraft, H. P. Autograph postcard, signed (“H. P. L. ”), to CLARK ASHTON SMITH, on the illustrations to The Lurking Fear, in Home Brew for February, 1923. 75 words, 16 lines, addressed in ink, on a postcard of the State Capitol building.

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to “Dear Coates” (Walter J. Coates). Dated “Tuesday”; ALS, one sheet (doublesided)

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to “Fellow-Strainer-After-Effect” [C. M. Eddy]. ALS, June 2, 1925; legal paper, doubled sided

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to “Klarkash-ton” (Clark Ashton Smith). Envelope postmarked March 21, 1932; ALS 2pp, 1 sheet (doubled sided); refers to Galaxy magazine “died-a-borning”

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to Robert Bloch. ALS, April 22, 1933; 2 sheets; 4 pages.

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to Robert Bloch. ALS, 12 pages on 3 sheets; June 1, 1933 with AMS “Weird items in the Library of HP Lovecraft” - 6 pages.

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to Robert Bloch. ALS, 3 pp, “Dear Bho-Blok”, Sept 25, 1933.

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to Robert Bloch. ALS, 4pp; Dear “Bho-Blok”; undated; signed “Yrs for the Black [Gods?] - Lhuv-Kerapht”

Lovecraft, H. P. Letters to Virgil Finlay (5). 5/ix/36; 25/ix/36, 30 Nov 1936; 1 Jan 1937 (APCS), and one other

Lovecraft, H. P. Letters to Walter J. Coates (34). Letters dated “Thursday”, “Tuesday”, 29 February 1928, 17 January 1933 plus 30 APCS

Lovecraft, H. P. Pickman's Model. Handwritten draft of a story.

Lovecraft, H. P. Postcard to Clark Ashton Smith, September 3? 1933. “Greetings from an Hyperborean Averoigne, O Hierophant of Tsathoggua!”

Lovecraft, H. P. Letter to HPL with HPL’s handwritten suggestions about a mystery story the back. (Letter dated 1926)

Lovecraft, H. P. The Cats of Ulthar. Handwritten draft of this book, written on the back of a typed letter.

Lovecraft, H. P. The Shunned House. Handwritten draft of a book, 32 pages

Lovecraft, H. P. The Shunned House. Typed draft of a book, 29 (of 30) pages. Signed by Lovecraft and corrected by him.

Lovecraft, H. P. Under the Pyramids. Handwritten draft of a long story (34 pages)

Lovecraft, H. P. . Tearsheets for At the Mountains of Madness. From Astounding Stories, Feb/Mar/Apr 1936 - corrected by Lovecraft

Smith, Clark Ashton. Letter to Virgil Finlay. TLS, 1. 5 pp, 15 May 1937.

Smith, Clark Ashton. Letter to Virgil Finlay. TLS, 3 pp, 27 Sept 1937.

PULPS

Fantastic Novels July 1950. Yakima Pulp Collection COA

Strange Tales September 1931. August Derleth File Copy

Weird Tales May 1929. File Copy

Weird Tales May 1935.

Weird Tales, February 1924. High grade copy. Picture available.