The Robert E. Howard Foundation Press is delighted to present the Ultimate Edition of Western Tales, a comprehensive and meticulously curated collection of Robert E. Howard’s traditional and weird western stories. This new edition, spanning 646 pages, is available in hardcover, softcover, and eBook formats, making it an essential addition to any fan’s library.
This expanded edition brings together classic tales, rare fragments, and newly restored works. Among the highlights are the alternate version of “The Devil’s Joker,” the fragment “Drag,” and the previously unpublished synopsis “Vultures’ Sanctuary.” These, along with Howard’s classic western tales, showcase the breadth and depth of his storytelling prowess in the western genre.
What’s New in the Ultimate Edition:
- Previously Unpublished Content: The newly added “Vultures’ Sanctuary” synopsis enriches the collection.
- Updated Texts: Stories like “The Dead Remember” are now presented using Howard’s final drafts, and “Gunman’s Debt” features a newly added fourth synopsis.
- Rare Material: Fragments and lesser-known works offer a glimpse into Howard’s creative process and his exploration of the western frontier.
This volume prioritizes authenticity, with texts sourced directly from Howard’s original typescripts, manuscripts, and carbons whenever possible. These materials were drawn from prestigious collections, including the Glenn Lord Collection at the University of Texas, Austin; the Robert E. Howard Collection at Texas A&M University; and the Cross Plains Library.
Cover artist: Mark Wheatley
Contents
- iii • Acknowledgments
- ix • Robert E. Howard: Western Pulp Pioneer • essay by James Reasoner
Western Tales
- 3 • Drums of the Sunset • non-genre • (1928) • novelette by Robert E. Howard
- 38 • The Lost San Saba Mine • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 41 • John Ringold • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 43 • The Extermination of Yellow Donory • (1970) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 54 • Old Faro Bill • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 55 • Modest Bill • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 61 • The Judgment of the Desert • non-genre • (1973) • novelette by Robert E. Howard
- 92 • The Sand-Hills’ Crest • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 95 • Gunman’s Debt • (1974) • novelette by Robert E. Howard
- 119 • The Devil’s Joker • [The Sonora Kid] • (1975) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 129 • The Feud • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 131 • Knife, Bullet and Noose • [The Sonora Kid] • (1965) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 143 • Law-Shooters of Cowtown • [Grizzly Elkins] • (1974) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 153 • Wild Water • non-genre • (1975) • novelette by Robert E. Howard
- 174 • Cowboy • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 175 • The Last Ride • (1935) • novella by Robert E. Howard and Chandler Whipple [as by Robert Enders Allen and Robert E. Howard]
- 247 • The Vultures of Wahpeton • non-genre • (1936) • novella by Robert E. Howard
- 333 • Vultures’ Sanctuary • (1936) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 352 • Ace High • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 353 • The Ballad of Buckshot Roberts • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 355 • The End of the Glory Trail • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 356 • The Alamo • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 357 • San Jacinto (1) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 358 • San Jacinto (2) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 360 • Ghost Dancers • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 362 • Intro to the Mexico Set of Poems • editorial note
- 363 • The Bandit • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 365 • Farewell, Proud Munster • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 367 • Over the Old Rio Grandey • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 368 • The Trail of Gold • poem by Robert E. Howard
The Weird West
- 373 • The Horror from the Mound • (1932) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 393 • The Valley of the Lost • (1975) • novelette by Robert E. Howard
- 417 • The Man on the Ground • (1933) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 423 • Old Garfield’s Heart • (1933) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 435 • The Thunder-Rider • (1972) • novelette by Robert E. Howard
- 461 • The Dead Remember • (1936) • short story by Robert E. Howard
Essays
- 473 • The Strange Case of Josiah Wilbarger • (1967) • essay by Robert E. Howard
- 477 • The Ghost of Camp Colorado • (1931) • essay by Robert E. Howard
- 482 • The Ghost of Camp Colorado – photographs • editorial addition
Miscellanea
- 489 • Six-Gun Interview (unfinished) • non-genre • [Breckinridge Elkins] • (2009) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 501 • Untitled (“I met him first in the Paradise Saloon…”) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 503 • The Killer’s Debt (fragment) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 507 • Gunman’s Debt (four synopses) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 516 • Wild Water Timing • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 517 • The Devil’s Joker (alternate version) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 533 • Untitled Synopsis (The Vultures of Wahpeton) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 539 • Vultures’ Sanctuary (untitled synopsis) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
Juvenilia
- 547 • A Faithful Servant • (2007) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 551 • “Golden Hope” Christmas • non-genre • (1922) • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 557 • The Sonora Kid—Cowhand • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 563 • The Sonora Kid’s Winning Hand • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 565 • Red Curls and Bobbed Hair • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 575 • Untitled (“Madge Meraldson…“) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 577 • Untitled (“The Hades Saloon…“) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 579 • Untitled (“A blazing sun…”) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 583 • Untitled (“The way it came about…”) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 587 • Untitled (“The hot Arizona sun…“) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 591 • Untitled (“Steve Allison settled…“) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 595 • Brotherly Advice (unfinished) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 601 • Desert Rendezvous (unfinished) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 607 • The West Tower (unfinished) • [The Sonora Kid] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 623 • “Drag” (unfinished) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
Notes
Edited by Rob Roehm and Paul Herman. Cover art by Mark Wheatley. Prepared for publication by Ståle Gismervik – Savage Studios.
Publisher: | REH Foundation Press |
Year : | January 31, 2025 |
ISBN : | 978-1-955446-43-3 (Paperback) 978-1-955446-42-6 (Hardcover) 978-1-955446-44-0 (eBook) |
Book No. : | 13 |
Edition : | 2.0 Ultimate Edition |
Format : | Hardcover with dust jacket |
Pages : | xix plus 627 |
Cover : | Mark Wheatley |
Illustrations : | None |