This previously unknown letter by Robert E. Howard, addressed to his friend and fellow writer E. Hoffmann Price, was discovered by Howard scholar Will Oliver during archival research at Syracuse University in the Forrest J. Ackerman Papers. The letter has been dated to approximately August 1932 based on contextual analysis and internal references.

Discovery Details

• Discovered by: Will Oliver
• Location: Syracuse University, Bird Library, Forrest J. Ackerman Papers
• Date of Discovery: During research conducted in 2024
• Owner of the Letter: The Robert E. Howard Foundation

About the Letter

The letter is a two-page missive written in Howard’s characteristically vibrant and imaginative style. Addressed to E. Hoffmann Price, the letter showcases Howard’s wide-ranging literary and historical interests, playful wit, and admiration for his fellow writers.

Key Points and Themes in the Letter:

1. Greeting and Style:
   The letter opens with the whimsical salutation “Ahatou Price noyon!” Howard’s use of this phrase aligns with similar phrasing found in a letter to Tevis Clyde Smith dated to mid-1932.
2. Discussion of Books and History:
   • Howard references sending Saladin and the Fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem by Stanley Lane-Poole to Price, describing it as an “exhaustive study.”
   • He mentions Ameen Rihani’s Arabian Peak and Desert (published in 1930), showing his ongoing interest in Middle Eastern history and literature.
3. Admiration for Price’s Writing:
   Howard praises Price’s descriptive line “the uncounted domes and minarets of prodigious Atlanaat” and encourages him to write more in that vein, noting Price’s “witchery with words.”
4. Reflections on Education and Personal History:
   In a vivid and humorous anecdote, Howard recounts his youthful “burglarizing” of school libraries to access books during his boyhood, emphasizing his self-taught knowledge and voracious reading.
5. Praise for Wright:
   Howard expresses his respect for Weird Tales editor Farnsworth Wright, calling him a “gift from the gods to struggling writers.”
6. Comments on Price’s Work:
   Howard praises the authenticity and vividness of Price’s Ismeddin character, whom he describes as “living and burning.”
7. Genealogy and Tatar Ancestry:
   Howard humorously reflects on his own fictionalized genealogy, comparing it to Price’s exotic ancestry, which Howard believed included a slight Oriental strain.
8. Curiosity About Lovecraft:
   Howard asks whether H.P. Lovecraft is married and inquires about his profession, showcasing Howard’s curiosity about the personal lives of his literary peers.
9. Playful Humor:
   The letter closes with Howard’s imaginative vision of a feast, complete with exotic tributes, roasted elephants, and libations, reflecting his larger-than-life storytelling style.

Dating the Letter

Will Oliver carefully analyzed the letter’s contents to date it to approximately August 1932. Key evidence includes:

• The phrase “Ahatou noyon” aligns with Howard’s phrasing in mid-1932 letters.
• References to Price’s photographs and sketches of Lovecraft and Kirk Mashburn, as mentioned in an August 1932 letter to Tevis Clyde Smith.
• Discussions of Price’s Tatar ancestry, echoed in the same August 1932 correspondence.

Significance

This letter provides a deeper understanding of Robert E. Howard’s relationships with his peers, his creative process, and his love of history and storytelling. The lively and humorous tone highlights Howard’s unique voice and his strong camaraderie with fellow writers like Price.

The letter, transcribed and adjusted for readability based on the original photographs, is presented here as an invaluable addition to the corpus of Howard’s known writings. It offers fans and scholars a firsthand look into the mind of one of pulp fiction’s greatest talents.

The letter itself, along with its transcription and dating notes, is presented here for fans and scholars to explore. Many thanks to Will Oliver for his discovery and for sharing it with me.

Original photo by Will Oliver. Adjusted and retouched by Ståle Gismervik

Original photo by Will Oliver. Adjusted and retouched by Ståle Gismervik

Read Will Oliver’s analyzis for when the letter was written.