H.P. Lovecraft / Cthulhu Mythos paperback covers (Ballantine, 1976)
![Lovecraft: A Look Behind the Cthulhu Mythos by Lin Carter. [More info on ISFDB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/129/129867/129867.jpeg?filename=30712646998.jpg)
Lovecraft: A Look Behind the Cthulhu Mythos by Lin Carter. [More info on ISFDB]
This series of paperback books by and about H.P. Lovecraft (1890–1937) and the Cthulhu Mythos was published by Ballantine Books in 1976 with related cover designs, all featuring art by Murray Tinkelman (1933–2016). It’s probably the most prominent in-use example of Moulin Rouge.
Drawn by Dave Davison for Photo-Lettering, the Art Nouveau-inspired design was shown in Volume 3 of the Alphabet Thesaurus from 1971 in three variants; Gothic (with lowercase), Caps (caps only, with some descending alternates), and Animated (with lowercase and many descending an ascending alternates for the caps). On the covers, Moulin Rouge is used in all caps and with EndcapS, i.e. taller first and last letters. While the letterforms for “Lovecraft” were squeezed, the titles were made wider through photographic means. Moulin Rouge is paired with ITC Korinna, a revival of a German Jugendstil roman from 1904.
Davison Moulin Rouge as shown in Photo-Lettering’s One Line Manual of Styles, 1971.
![The Mask of Cthulhu by August Derleth. [More info on ISFB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/129/129860/129860.jpeg?filename=d4af7c6464f0be99a5bc90c443ea033f.jpg)
The Mask of Cthulhu by August Derleth. [More info on ISFB]
![The Trail of Cthulhu by August Derleth. [More info on ISFDB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/N230/230808/230808.jpeg?filename=The-Trail-of-Cthulhu.jpg)
The Trail of Cthulhu by August Derleth. [More info on ISFDB]
The Mask of Cthulhu with spine and back cover.
![The Lurker at the Threshold, begun by H.P. Lovecraft and completed by August Derleth. [More info on ISFDB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/129/129868/129868.jpeg?filename=The-Lurker-At-the-Threshold.jpg)
The Lurker at the Threshold, begun by H.P. Lovecraft and completed by August Derleth. [More info on ISFDB]
![The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft. [More info on ISFDB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/129/129866/129866.jpeg?filename=3128cb60d6fe81f2afb7b4d4193b169b.jpg)
The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft. [More info on ISFDB]
![The Doom That Came to Sarnath by H.P. Lovecraft. [More info on ISFDB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/129/129865/129865.png?filename=The-Doom-That-Came-To-Sarnath.png)
The Doom That Came to Sarnath by H.P. Lovecraft. [More info on ISFDB]
![The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft. [More info on ISDFB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/129/129869/129869.jpeg?filename=The-Dream-Quest-of-Unknown-Kadath.jpg)
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft. [More info on ISDFB]
![Lovecraft. A Biography by L. Sprague de Camp. Ballantine, 1976. [More info on ISFDB]](https://fiu-original.b-cdn.net/fontsinuse.com/use-images/129/129817/129817.jpeg?filename=Lovecraft-A-Biography-L.-Sprague-de-Camp-Ballantine-1976.jpg)
Lovecraft. A Biography by L. Sprague de Camp. Ballantine, 1976. [More info on ISFDB]
12 Comments on “H.P. Lovecraft / Cthulhu Mythos paperback covers (Ballantine, 1976)”
Nick Cooke of G-Type spotted a sign for a Briefmarken (postage stamps) shop in Vienna. Some letterforms – especially M, but also E and N – are remarkably similar to Moulin Rouge. Coincidence? Did Davison see this sign (given it is that old, and not a more recent faux vintage addition)? Or is there a common source, like a lettering model, or a metal typeface?
As of tomorrow, I will have all nine of the 1976 editions featuring Tinkelman’s cover art. The one not shown above is LOVECRAFT: A LOOK BEHIND THE CTHULHU MYTHOS by Lin Carter.
Congrats, Mark!
I didn’t necessarily aim to be exhaustive with this post, but the title you mention is shown at the very top, no?
Dear Florian,
I humbly stand corrected and do apologize for overlooking the Lin Cater book. A fool I can be. Today I received my final book in my 1976 Lovecraft collection: THE TRAIL OF CTHULHU. Upon geting it, I took notice of something I had forgotten, which is the black & white preliminary art on the inside of the front and back covers (not the De Camp and Carter books). Splendid additions.
I really like this typeface, and I’m amazed to only see it here and on the sample I found—Music and Your Mind. I suppose House Industries owns it, and it may never see the light of digital day?:(
Hi Briar, it’s correct that House Industries acquired the Photo-Lettering assets, and I’d assume that includes the original plates of and rights to Davison Moulin Rouge. Have you asked House if they have plans to bring this design to digital? If they don’t, they might be open to let someone else have a go at it. Of course it’s also possible to draw an interpretation without their blessing, but I believe the right way to approach such projects is always to talk to the IP owner. Anyway, that’s a question for House Industries, not me.
From what I observed is that this album looks like it’s using Davison Moulin Rouge, but kinda resembles to animated a bit. But probably the difference is the curve.
It’s definitely similar in style, although the finer details in all glyphs are a little off. Chances are it was drawn by hand, inspired by Davison’s typeface.
Gypsy’s debut album was released in 1970. The illustration is snagged from Alphonse Mucha.
I found another album from 1972 to where it used the Davison Moulin Rouge in Caps and Gothic
Thanks, Javi. That would be “a magical book-and-record set” issued by Columbia Records in 1972. The illustration is by Christopher Bradbury. Here’s the image source.
I didn’t expect that Art Nouveau by Deberny & Cie was used in this 1967 album
In 1974, that Moulin Rouge font was also used for the book The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy.