[Lovecraft, H. P. and R. H. Barlow]

The Battle that Ended the Century (Ms. Found in a Time Machine).  [De Land, Fla., 1934)



2 leaves, loose as issued (13  7/8  x 8  1/2  in.; 354 x 216 mm).  Mimeographed on rectos only; 3 horizontal folds.  In self-stamped envelope, postmarked Washington, D.C., 1934. 



 

Currey p. 320; Joshi I.A.7

First edition.  One of less than 50 copies.  "The Battle that Ended the Century" was a short humorous piece which Lovecraft and Barlow wrote together when Lovecraft was visitiong Barlow at his home in Florida during the summer of 1934.  The short story, set at New Year's Eve 2000, is a sort of literary spoof à clef, peopled with the close circle of friends and writers known to the two men.  This copy has been annotated by Lovecraft, identifying the characters.  In all, Lovecraft identifies nineteen characters, e.g.  "Horse Power Hateart" = H. P. Lovecraft, "A. Hijacked Barrell" = A. Hyatt Verrell, "Frank Chimesleep Short, Jr." = F. Belknap Long, Jr.

The mailing label on the envelope is addressed to W. Paul Cook, % Walter J. Coates.  the envelope is also annotated by Coates in 1938,   "Never published  — not over a dozen copies distributed amongst friends of H. P. L."