The Return of Doctor Fu Manchu. Author: Sax Rohmer. Publisher: A. L. Burt. 19??. The cover by... Don't know.

16. Zothique, Clark Ashton Smith. June, 1970. 1st cover by George Barr.

The cover of the serial book in semantic the plan always contains, at least, two interconnected art layers. It is illustrative directing, connecting a cover with the literary text and general vector of development of a book series. This rule the most evidently is shown on an example of thematic work of the artist Robert LoGrippo. In a series Ballantine Adult Fantasy the artist Robert LoGrippo has become personal illustrator of the sea novelist William Hope Hodgson. From his four works three are devoted Hodgson. These three works of the artist Robert LoGrippo send to the public in summer of 1972. The books of two authors are made out as a single unit. This courageous art decision can be regarded as attempt to repeat great triptych J.R.R. Tolkien of the trilogy. The speech goes about book covers of autumn - winter of 1965:


02. The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien. October, 1965.
03. The Two Towers, J.R.R. Tolkien. October, 1965.
04. The Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien. December, 1965.


But general pessimistic the decision, the dark colours and schizophrenic images have forced the editor and publisher to refuse cooperation with Robert LoGrippo after the fourth cover. The way of imitation Boch has appeared a road in anywhere. The David Johnston artist, which has entered on him, also leaves collective of the creators, working above continuation of a series.
By Anatoliy Jurkin (St.-Petersburg).

Sax Rohmer.

Clark Ashton Smith.

Dates of the first publications:

• The Return of Doctor Fu Manchu. (1918)
• 16. Zothique, Clark Ashton Smith. (1940 years)