Pan Book of Horror
Encyclopedia
The Pan Book of Horror Stories was a paperback series of short horror story anthologies published by Pan Books Ltd. The series ran to thirty volumes, the first published in 1959.
The series was initially collected and edited by Herbert Van Thal
. On Van Thal's death Clarence Paget edited the series, from volume twenty-six until its demise with volume thirty in 1989.
The early editions of the Pan Book of Horror Stories were notable for their lurid cover art and Van Thal's introduction of stories by new authors alongside classics of the genre. The first edition included works by Peter Fleming, Muriel Spark
, Bram Stoker
and C. S. Forester
. Later volumes feature Ray Bradbury
and Lord Dunsany among others. After volume nine, Van Thal placed a heavier reliance on new authors. The series grew in popularity and was the stepping stone for much new talent. However in the early eighties a slow decline in standards was observed. Popularity rose again in the late eighties but a multitude of reprint stories from Stephen King
and a severe slide in quality ended the iconic series in 1989. The last book is now a rare collectors item, due to the small print run it received.
A U.S Edition of the first Pan book was released by Gold Medal, an imprint of Fawcett Publications
and books 3 - 5 were released by Berkley Medallion. While the first book was complete in its contents - the other three books gave only a small selection of its UK counterparts. There is no evidence to support PBoH #2 ever having a US release.
Screaming Terror published under the Arthur Baker imprint is a collection from the first three Pan Book of Horror Stories and is also edited by Herbert Van Thal
.
The Pan Book of Horror Stories maintains a cult following with many tribute and informational sites available.
A reprint of the initial Pan Book of Horror was published in October 2010, with an introduction by Pan expert Johnny Mains
.
The series was initially collected and edited by Herbert Van Thal
Herbert Van Thal
Herbert Maurice van Thal , better known as Bertie, was a bookseller, publisher, agent, biographer, and anthologist. His grandfather was a distiller , and was a director of the theatre proprieters, Howard and Wyndham...
. On Van Thal's death Clarence Paget edited the series, from volume twenty-six until its demise with volume thirty in 1989.
The early editions of the Pan Book of Horror Stories were notable for their lurid cover art and Van Thal's introduction of stories by new authors alongside classics of the genre. The first edition included works by Peter Fleming, Muriel Spark
Muriel Spark
Dame Muriel Spark, DBE was an award-winning Scottish novelist. In 2008 The Times newspaper named Spark in its list of "the 50 greatest British writers since 1945".-Early life:...
, Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker
Abraham "Bram" Stoker was an Irish novelist and short story writer, best known today for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula...
and C. S. Forester
C. S. Forester
Cecil Scott "C.S." Forester was the pen name of Cecil Louis Troughton Smith , an English novelist who rose to fame with tales of naval warfare. His most notable works were the 11-book Horatio Hornblower series, depicting a Royal Navy officer during the Napoleonic era, and The African Queen...
. Later volumes feature Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
and Lord Dunsany among others. After volume nine, Van Thal placed a heavier reliance on new authors. The series grew in popularity and was the stepping stone for much new talent. However in the early eighties a slow decline in standards was observed. Popularity rose again in the late eighties but a multitude of reprint stories from Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
and a severe slide in quality ended the iconic series in 1989. The last book is now a rare collectors item, due to the small print run it received.
A U.S Edition of the first Pan book was released by Gold Medal, an imprint of Fawcett Publications
Fawcett Publications
Fawcett Publications was an American publishing company founded in 1919 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota by Wilford Hamilton "Captain Billy" Fawcett . At the age of 16, Fawcett ran away from home to join the Army, and the Spanish-American War took him to the Philippines. Back in Minnesota, he became a...
and books 3 - 5 were released by Berkley Medallion. While the first book was complete in its contents - the other three books gave only a small selection of its UK counterparts. There is no evidence to support PBoH #2 ever having a US release.
Screaming Terror published under the Arthur Baker imprint is a collection from the first three Pan Book of Horror Stories and is also edited by Herbert Van Thal
Herbert Van Thal
Herbert Maurice van Thal , better known as Bertie, was a bookseller, publisher, agent, biographer, and anthologist. His grandfather was a distiller , and was a director of the theatre proprieters, Howard and Wyndham...
.
The Pan Book of Horror Stories maintains a cult following with many tribute and informational sites available.
A reprint of the initial Pan Book of Horror was published in October 2010, with an introduction by Pan expert Johnny Mains
Johnny Mains
Johnny Mains is a Scottish editor and writer of horror fiction.-Biography:Johnny Mains is an award winning editor and horror historian whose main area of expertise is British horror anthologies...
.