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Autumn Chills: Fine Horror and Mystery Literature

Thu, Nov 12, 2026 11:00AM EST
  2026-11-12 11:00:00 2026-11-12 11:00:00 America/New_York Potter & Potter Auctions Potter & Potter Auctions : Autumn Chills: Fine Horror and Mystery Literature https://auction.potterauctions.com/auctions/potter-potter/autumn-chills-fine-horror-and-mystery-literature-24254
Our fall sale of fine books & manuscripts focuses on rare horror and mystery first editions, scarce pulps and zines, manuscripts, and more by the most famous authors of modern works in the genres of horror and mystery. Among the highlights are the true first edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula, and other cornerstones of the genre. Potter & Potter Auctions info@potterauctions.com
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BLOCH, Robert (1917-1994). The Opener of the Way. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1945.
Lot 53

BLOCH, Robert (1917-1994). The Opener of the Way. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1945.

Estimate: $800 - $1,200
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Starting Bid
$400
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BLOCH, Robert (1917-1994). The Opener of the Way. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1945. 8vo. [311] pp. Publisher's full black cloth, spine lettered in gilt, publisher's unclipped ("$3.00") dust jacket. FIRST EDITION OF BLOCH'S FIRST COMMERCIALLY PUBLISHED BOOK, SIGNED BY HIM ON THE TITLE-PAGE. One of only 2,000 copies of this short story collection.  This was the tenth title published by Arkham House.

The final story, "One Way to Mars," was commissioned at the last-minute by Derleth, and was Bloch's first attempt at psychological horror - a genre that he would eventually master (demonstrated by his horror classic, Psycho (1959)). 

Condition

Minor rubbing to cloth; jacket spine a bit toned, jacket edges a bit toned, rubbed, faint foxing to rear jacket panel, small crease to lower edge of rear jacket panel near fine. Still, fine; better than usually seen. 

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