Fay

by Edwin Baird

Edwin Baird was the first editor of of Weird Tales, the pioneering pulp magazine that specialized in horror fiction, as well as Detective Tales, later re-titled Real Detective Tales. Hired by Weird Tales publisher J. C. Henneberger, Baird put out the magazine's premiere issue, dated March 1923. Over the course of the next year, Baird published some of the magazine's most famous writers, including H. P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, and Seabury Quinn. Born in Chattanooga in 1886, Baird worked as a feature writer for the Chicago Daily Journal and the Chicago Evening American prior to becoming editor of Weird Tales. Fay is the story of 22 year old Arlo Bowden who leaves his job as a Chicago newspaper reporter to return home to Tennessee to "write books." A gullible young man, he quickly falls under the influence of Southern belles who easily manipulate him. While not explicitly autobiographical, Baird's commentary on the writing profession as well as his portrayal of Southern culture are clearly influenced by his own experiences of both.

New York: Edward J. Clode, 1923

First Edition, First Printing

Hardcover. 316 pp. 5-1/8" x 7-5/8"

Fair condition.

A strip along the top of the front end paper has been torn off, presumably to remove a previous owner's name, the last flourish of which remains. Toning & a few scattered oxidization spots to pages; otherwise interior is clean & unmarked. Toning to end papers & pastedowns. Sporadic creases to page corners. Short tears & crease along fore edge of p. 37/38. Front hinge is starting at the top; both hinges are somewhat fragile, but holding. Toning & soiling to edges of page block. Binding firm & square. Covers have wear along edges & at corners, with boards exposed at bottom front corner; wear & fraying to spine ends; scaling & wear to fabric spine & around edges of front & rear cover; general soiling & staining.

Ships well-packed in a box.