The Premiere Lovecraft Collection
In conjunction with publisher Insight Editions, we are proud to present The H.P. Lovecraft Experience: a huge and stunning set featuring the complete works of Lovecraft in two premium-bound volumes; an all-new original Reader’s Guide written by the HPLHS; and custom in-world collectible ephemera, all presented in a magnificently chilling 3-D sculpted case.
Over the years I've had countless editions of Lovecraft, but The H.P. Lovecraft Experience is definitive; a work of genuine artistry, whimsy and scholarship and an invaluable addition to any Lovecraftian library.
John Logan, Oscar & Tony nominated screenwriter of Penny Dreadful
What a superlative product! Every devotee of Lovecraft will want to secure this major undertaking.
S.T. Joshi, Lovecraft Scholar
Like a prayer answered four decades later, I finally have in my hands the edition of Lovecraft I could only dream of as a mythos-drunk kid. It is both artful and scholarly, respectful tome and fetish object.
David Prior, Director of "The Autopsy" for Netflix's Cabinet of Curiosities
Inspired by his waking nightmares, H.P. Lovecraft has astounded and terrified readers for more than a century. Now, fans can experience the visionary’s mystifying work in a format that both honors and celebrates his long-lasting legacy. In addition to Lovecraft’s complete fiction, The H.P. Lovecraft Experience features a comprehensive reading guide provided by the HPLHS and several pieces of exclusive, collectible, and personalizable ephemera from Lovecraft’s fictional Miskatonic University.
MISKATONIC COLLECTIBLES: The H.P. Lovecraft Experience features a set of the ultra-realistic Miskatonic University ephemera designed by the HPLHS and presented in an in-world portfolio:
- Student Coursebook
- Orne Library Card
- Stickers featuring academic seal
- Embroidered Patch
- Leatherette Bookmark
- Miskatonic University Diploma (with custom stencil for filling in your name)
THE COMPLETE FICTION: The set includes HPL's complete fiction (edited by noted scholar S.T. Joshi) with an introduction by Sean Branney and Andrew Leman of the HPLHS. The set also includes an illuminating and lavishly illustrated Reader’s Guide by the HPLHS that gives key insights into Lovecraft’s most important short stories.
PREMIUM FORMAT: With high-quality foil stamped binding, and housed in a custom-designed case (illustrated by Lee Moyer), The H.P. Lovecraft Experience (much like the author’s work itself) was made to stand the test of time. Seriously, this set is big, bold, and gorgeous!
SIGNED? Want yours signed by Sean Branney & Andrew Leman? Just use the Customer Comments field at checkout to let us know you'd like your copy signed (and how) and we'll ink it before it goes out the door!
Pages: 1188
Size: 11.75 x 5 x 10 inches
Weight: 8.15 lbs. (3.69kg)
There is no shortage of Lovecraft collections, so what makes this one worth its hefty price tag?
For me the main draw was the Reader's Guide, which didn't disappoint in quality. A selection of ten titles were given commentaries reviewing their plots, characters, themes and motifs. If you're the kind of person who loves to look up wiki articles after finishing a book or movie, it's a great piece filled with flavor and passion. Though it is a bit sparse to recommend the physical set solely for its inclusion.
The other addition is the small package of collectible knick-knacks, which are good quality for what they are, but offer limited usability if you're not interested in roleplay. (However, I do absolutely love that I can tell my friends I have a degree from Miskatonic University).
The books themselves are great. There was no doubt a lot of care that went into the text itself. Scholar S.T. Joshi referenced original manuscripts to ensure the stories collected here are as close to Lovecraft's original intention as possible, though I'm not qualified to note what specific corrections might have been made for this collection.
The covers are tasteful and elegant, the pages feel great, and the text is readable. The two volumes are individually more comfortable and convenient for casual reading or carrying for travel. Together they're actually thicker than most other collections. They are divided at a good point, the first volume containing "Call of Cthulhu" and ending with "Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath", and the latter continuing from there, starting with "Dexter Ward". The effect is that the first volume contains mostly the shorter stories from early in Lovecraft's career and is perfect to keep with you if you just want quickly digestible shots of horror during a lunch break or waiting in a lobby, while the second volume contains mostly the denser stories, and is great if you prefer something denser for long trips. I do a bus/subway commute and frequently find myself unwinding in cafes near work, so these volumes feel quite suited for me, a weirdo who loves portability but stubbornly refuses to wholly abandon physical media even when using an ebook would be vastly easier, haha.
Overall, for passionate fans who don't mind indulging a bit of their disposable income, the physical set is a worthwhile luxury. For beginners just looking to get into Lovecraft, or for people who aren't as concerned with the ephemera, the digital version is offered at a much more reasonable price and still comes with the well-made and entertaining reader's guide.
In either format, this is a fantastic set and lives up to its name as a way to experience the mysterious and thrilling world of HP Lovecraft.
The design and build quality of both the tray case and the volumes inside are up to HPLHS’ normal high standard. The raised image of Cthulhu on the case is most impressive. The readers guide is engaging and very informative. And the Miskatonic artifacts included with the set are also very well done as one would expect. I am very pleased with this purchase.
I have multiple editions of the collected works, but this is the most gorgeous of all. Cannot recommend it enough! A must have for every Lovecraft fan.
Okay, maybe two: “Simply Astounding!”
The guys at HPLHS knocked it out of the park again. This is the definitive collection of HPL stories. The attention to detail and all the little extras is what really sets this apart. Awesome collection!
