Dark Companions
New York; (1982): Macmillan and Co. First Edition. Octavo. Item #027454
258 pages. In this collection of short stories The Pattern is the one that has caught the attention of many in the horror genre. It is about a haunted field whose evil is not bounded by time; in fact, an evil which could freely violate the laws of physics. Beyond the tale’s scare factor, its title also has multiple levels of meaning, all the more so for its protagonist being a painter. In an interview, Campbell gives some of the background for his writing his haunting work. As he was proofing his book in the Pan horror series, he recalled an acid trip he had in the English lakes. It was all of these that led up to this story which is among the best in this collection. A near fine copy bound in ¼ red cloth over blue paper covered boards, spine lettering silver, in a near fine unclipped dust jacket.
Price: $75.00