The Robert E. Howard Foundation

Most hopefully are aware of Robert E. Howard (1906-36), a pulp writer who is credited as the “father of sword & sorcery,” creating such well known characters as Conan the Barbarian, Solomon Kane, Kull, and more. However, he wrote in other genres as well: adventure, pirate, historical fiction, science fiction, western, spicy, weird menace, horror/fantasy, and more.

While much of his popular works are available in books, especially the 11 volumes from Del Rey Books, and there are adaptations in movies, TV, and comics, there is still much to be discovered and preserved in regards to his legacy.

A group of fans came together to establish the Robert E. Howard Foundation in 2006. The foundation has several goals, and those interested in supporting its work can join as a member. Among their efforts are the following:

• Acquire, manage, and conserve archives and collections of Howard’s work and personal items.
• Conduct research for scholars, historians, fans, and others that are interested in Howard’s life and legacy.
• Promote and award young writers of the same genres with awards/scholarships.
• Support Robert E. Howard Days in Cross Plains, Texas, each year.
• Help support and maintain Howard’s home and museum in Cross Plains.
• Make Howard’s works available through multiple channels.

Probably the most visible work they do is the project to put all the rest of his writing in print through the REH Foundation Press. While nice, the Del Rey editions, though publishing the most well-known works, have only put out about a third of this writing.

The REH Foundation Press plans for a set of 23 volumes, along with other supplemental works. These volumes are put out in a series of editions. First up are the “First Editions,” which are numbered hardbacks with dust jackets, limited to 300 copies each. Once these are sold out, the Press puts out the “Ultimate Editions,” which are unlimited hardbacks and paperbacks, and available via POD through Amazon and the like.

The Ultimate Editions have uniform covers by artist Mark Wheatley. Furthermore, if additional materials are found after the First Edition comes out, it will be added to the Ultimate Edition.

There are some supplemental publications that don’t fall into these series as well. At present, all the First Editions have been published, though only a few are still available. More than half of the Ultimate Editions are out so far.

The REH Foundation Press volumes are:

• Collected Letters (three volumes)
• Collected Poetry (three volumes)
• Sentiment (not yet published)
• The Early Adventures of El Borak
• Tales of Weird Menace
• Steve Harrison’s Casebook
• Spicy Adventures
• Adventures in Science Fantasy
• Pirate Adventures
• Fists of Iron (four volumes; not yet published)
• Western Tales
• Swords of the North
• The Adventures of Breckinridge Elkins (two volumes; not yet published)
• Pictures in the Fire (not yet published)
• Post Oaks and Sand Roughs (not yet published)

Supplemental works include The Robert E. Howard Photo Album, The Collected Drawings of Robert E. Howard, School Days in the Post Oaks, and more.

At present, I only have one of their volumes, but I certainly plan on getting more, which will be reviewed here.

While I had been familiar with the publishing effort of the Press, after meeting Foundation members at the recent Windy City Pulp & Paper Convention, I decided to join as a member. There are several membership levels, and at certain levels, you get their quarterly newsletter and extra items.

While I am not a big REH fan, I have slowly been reading more of his pulp work and wanted to learn more. I recommend others take a look at their publications and consider joining. I’m not sure if I will ever attend the Howard Days in Cross Plains, but it sounds like an interesting event.

If there are other groups for pulp authors similar to the Burroughs Bibliophiles and REH Foundation out there, please let me know so that I can highlight them here.