A sampling of early poetry drafts.
All of the poems come from Howard’s original typescripts and carbons with the following exceptions:
“Black Mass”, first published version, is from STARTLING MYSTERY STORIES, Fall 1967.
“The Tower of Zukala”, first published version, is from Glenn Lord’s provided retype, as used in A RHYME OF SALEM TOWN AND OTHER POEMS, REH Foundation, 2007.

Contents

• 1 • The One Black Stain, first draft, untitled • poem by Robert E. Howard
• 5 • The One Black Stain, second draft • poem by Robert E. Howard
• 9 • The One Black Stain, final draft • [Solomon Kane] • poem by Robert E. Howard (variant of The One Black Stain 1962)
• 13 • The Mate of the Sea, early untitled draft • poem by Robert E. Howard
• 14 • The Mate of the Sea, later titled draft • poem by Robert E. Howard
• 15 • Black Mass, titled final draft • poem by Robert E. Howard
• 16 • Black Mass, 1st published version, no draft • poem by Robert E. Howard (variant of Black Mass 2013)
• 17 • The Tower of Zukala, titled final draft • poem by Robert E. Howard
• 19 • The Tower of Zukala, 1st published version, no draft • [The Zukala Poems: A Narrative Cycle • 1] • (2002) • poem by Robert E. Howard (variant of The Tower of Zukala)
• 21 • Notes on the Texts • essay by Paul Herman

Notes

Selected and edited by Paul Herman.
Cover art credited on the title page.
Not available for individual sale. Dated on the title page as “Christmas 2018”.
Prepared as a gift for Legacy Circle members of the Robert E. Howard Foundation.