BERKELEY, CALIF. — With four highlighted sections — Fine Literature; Zane Grey; Mysteries, Fantasy & Sci-Fi; and Beats & The Counterculture — PBA Galleries’ April 30 auction included more than 550 lots across many bibliophilic categories. When the final hammer fell, it was a first edition copy of H.P. Lovecraft’s (American, 1890-1937) first published book that finished with the day’s highest price. Titled Shadow Over Innsmouth, this thrilling 1936 novella was one of 400 copies, of which only 200 were actually bound and distributed (Everett, Penn.: Visionary Publishing Company). Bound in black cloth with silver gilt lettering, this first edition featured woodcut illustrations by Frank A. Utpatel (American, 1905-1980), a frequent collaborator and correspondent of Lovecraft, and was paired with a later issue jacket and laid-in errata pages. The shadow lifted at $11,875, including buyer’s premium — nearly four times its $3,000 high estimate. An upcoming issue will feature additional highlights from this sale.
