WAGNER, Karl Edward (1945-1994). Archive of Nearly 30 Typed Letters Signed. [Chapel Hill, NC: 1973-1988]. Correspondence between Wagner and author, fan, and collectible dealer Richard Minter (1920-2005), nearly all in envelopes. Most on plain white paper, a few on stationery of Wagner's short-lived publishing house, Carcosa. Nearly all approximately 11 x 8 1/2". Included in this archive are two autograph notes signed by Wagner. One TLS is unsigned. AN EXCELLENT ARCHIVE OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN WAGNER AND HIS FRIEND MINTER, IN WHICH HE GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL ABOUT HIS COLLECTING, HIS WORK EDITING SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY MAGAZINES, AND PUBLISHING BOOKS. 

Wagner wrote numerous stories and seven novels of fantasy and horror. He is best known for his creation of the barbarian and mystic swordsman, Kane. Wagner edited an excellent collection of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian and the annual collections of The Year's Best Horror Stories from 1980 to 1984. He, David Drake, and Jim Croce formed the fantasy/horror publishing house, Carcosa in 1973, when the future of Arkham House was in doubt due to the death of August Derleth. Carcosa published pulp story and horror story collections in hardcover. Wagner died of complications from alcoholism in 1994. 

The letters contain a wealth of material about the world of fantasy/horror publishing, Wagner's collecting hobby with several want lists, gossip about his and his friend's adventures at various conventions, and more. In one letter he discusses the possibility of a Kane movie looking grim, as Conan the Barbarian didn't do as well as film executives had hoped. Some of the people mentioned by Wagner in these letters include: David Drake, Frank Frazetta, Lee Brown Coye, Dave McFerran, Manly Wade Wellman, Hugh B. Cave, and others. An excellent archive of correspondence by one of the major horror and fantasy authors and editors of the latter 20th century.

Letters folded, several with manuscript ink notations by Wagner. Envelopes torn open, soiled, all with stamps and cancels, nearly all envelopes with manuscript notes by Wagner, apparently used as general notepads. A fine collection