Title: Atmosphere of Houses

Author: DERLETH, August (Illustrations by Frank Utpatel)

Publisher: The Prairie Press, Muscatine, IA

Year: 1939

Edition: First Edition / Limited Edition (One of only 290 copies)

Binding: Original Softcover Paper Wrappers

Overall Condition Grade: Very Good (VG) Exterior / Near Fine (NF) Interior

Item Overview:

Offered here is an incredibly scarce survival of August Derleth’s regionalist essay chapbook, Atmosphere of Houses, meticulously printed and hand-set by Carroll Coleman at The Prairie Press in 1939. This copy represents the uncommon, heavy cream paper wrapper variant of a strict print run limited to just 290 copies.

Part of Derleth's celebrated Sac Prairie Saga, this work is a reflective, naturalist study exploring the unique emotional imprint and memory left behind by historic human habitations. The text is beautifully married to 12 stark and beautiful regionalist woodcut illustrations by famed Wisconsin artist Frank Utpatel.

Detailed Condition Report:

• Exterior Wrappers (Very Good): The original light-tan paper wrappers are clean, uniformly toned, and bright with crisp corners. The delicate sewn spine remains tight, square, and structurally sound. There is a small, distinct paper abrasion/minor puncture on the front cover, situated directly to the left of the decorative border leaf design (clearly documented in the close-up listing photos).

• Interior Text Block (Near Fine): The interior is exceptionally pristine. The text block is printed on premium, heavy Canson & Montgolfier mould-made paper imported from France. The letterpress typography remains crisp and deep. The pages are completely clean and entirely free of foxing, aging blemishes, offsetting, owner inscriptions, bookplates, or library stamps. The colophon page at the rear is present and unnumbered, as issued to the printer.

A wonderful, highly transparent example of a foundational Midwestern fine press rarity. Perfect for completionist collectors of August Derleth, Arkham House history, or fine American typography.