Newly Discovered Robert E. Howard Letter Dated to August 1932

The recent discovery of an unpublished Robert E. Howard letter, announced by scholar Will Oliver, has sparked excitement among Howard enthusiasts. Found in the Forrest J. Ackerman Papers at Syracuse University, the letter is addressed to E. Hoffmann Price and offers fresh insights into Howard’s correspondence, literary interests, and personal connections. Through meticulous analysis of contextual clues, Oliver has dated the letter to approximately August 1932, a fascinating period in Howard’s life and creative career.

Dating the Letter: Evidence and Context

Oliver’s careful research to date the letter combines multiple references within the text with previously known letters from Howard. His findings provide a compelling argument for the letter’s creation in mid-to-late 1932. Below are some of the key pieces of evidence he used to support this conclusion:

1. Use of “Ahatou noyon”:
   The phrase “Ahatou Price noyon!” in the letter parallels Howard’s use of “Ahatou noyon, Fear Finn” in a letter to Tevis Clyde Smith dated after mid-1932 (The Collected Letters of Robert E. Howard, Vol. 2, p. 426).
2. Reference to “Saladin”:
   The letter mentions sending “Saladin,” likely a reference to Saladin and the Fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem by Stanley Lane-Poole, a book Howard is known to have read and discussed with others.
3. E. Hoffmann Price’s “Atlanaat”:
   Howard’s praise for a line referencing “the uncounted domes and minarets of prodigious Atlanaat” ties to Price’s stories “The Dreamer of Atlanaat” (published in Weird Tales, July 1926) and “A Jest and a Vengeance” (September 1929), indicating their shared literary conversations.
4. Lovecraft’s Praise of Howard’s Erudition:
   Howard expresses pleasure at Lovecraft’s compliments, which aligns with documented correspondence from Lovecraft around this time. For example, Lovecraft praises Howard in a July 1933 letter to Price, referencing earlier interactions.
5. Mashburn and Photographs:
   Howard discusses Kirk Mashburn and sketches of both Lovecraft and Mashburn, tying this letter to an August 1932 letter to Tevis Clyde Smith where Howard first mentions these photographs (The Collected Letters of Robert E. Howard, Vol. 2, p. 339).
6. Tatar Ancestry Theory:
   The letter references Price’s Tatar ancestry, a subject Howard also wrote about in his August 1932 letter to Smith.
7. “Arabian Peak and Desert”:
   Howard’s mention of Ameen Rihani’s Arabian Peak and Desert (published in 1930) reflects his ongoing interest in Middle Eastern culture and literature, contextualizing his correspondence with Price, who often wrote Oriental-themed stories.
8. “Ismeddin” and The Magic Carpet Magazine:
   Howard references Price’s story “Ismeddin and the Holy Carpet,” which was published in the January 1933 issue of The Magic Carpet Magazine. His praise of the story suggests an active correspondence with Price in late 1932.

A Unique Glimpse into Howard’s Life

The letter demonstrates Howard’s deep engagement with his literary peers and his broad interests, from Middle Eastern history to Tatar heritage. It also reveals his respect and camaraderie with Price, a relationship enriched by their shared love of adventure stories, historical fiction, and Weird Tales.

The timing of this letter, just months before Howard’s shift toward his Conan the Cimmerian tales in Weird Tales, makes it particularly significant. It provides a snapshot of Howard’s thoughts and literary influences at a key point in his evolution as a writer.

The Importance of Archival Research

Oliver’s discovery not only expands the collection of known Howard letters but also underscores the importance of continued archival exploration. As Oliver notes, many of Howard’s letters may still be scattered across private collections and institutional holdings. This find inspires hope for future discoveries that could shed more light on Howard’s life, friendships, and creative process.

Next Steps

This newly discovered letter will be featured in future publications by the Robert E. Howard Foundation, including the anticipated third edition of The Collected Letters of Robert E. Howard. Meanwhile, Oliver’s detailed notes and analysis will enrich ongoing discussions within the Howard community.

The letter’s discovery is a testament to the enduring legacy of Robert E. Howard and the dedicated efforts of scholars like Will Oliver, who continue to uncover the treasures left by one of the greatest writers of fantasy and adventure.

Stay tuned for updates as this fascinating letter becomes more widely available to fans and scholars of Robert E. Howard!

I’ve created a page about the letter, where you can see and read it.