Book Shelf (Lovecraft and Poe)
Dublin Core
Title
Book Shelf (Lovecraft and Poe)
Subject
Book Cover
Description
These two books, part of the Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions Series, are collected works of two of the most famous and influential horror writers in American history. These covers stand out in their representation of the authors' shared genre as well as their major differences.
Poe wrote in the early nineteenth century, and is known for works of dark romanticism and gothic horror, both genres characterized in part by extravagance, fascination with the past, and intense emotion, all of which are alluded to in the typeface and arrangement of the text. Most of the text is in an especially elaborate serif font. The author's name is arranged nonlinearly, with his surname significantly larger and in contrasting dramatic red, and the first part of his name inside – while one can figure out the "proper" order, this arrangement means one is likely to see and place importance on the name "Poe."
Writing almost a century later, Lovecraft combined sensibilities of gothic horror with science fiction, dealing with themes of forbidden and dangerous knowledge. His works can be seen as a reaction against the dangers of modernity and scientism. The book cover illustrates this with striking, bold geometric shapes and serif font, characteristic of modern styles that hoped to express progress. To interrupt this otherwise perfectly modernist design, the cover is cut in half by a dark nebulous void, which also splits the author's name from "The Complete Fiction."
Poe wrote in the early nineteenth century, and is known for works of dark romanticism and gothic horror, both genres characterized in part by extravagance, fascination with the past, and intense emotion, all of which are alluded to in the typeface and arrangement of the text. Most of the text is in an especially elaborate serif font. The author's name is arranged nonlinearly, with his surname significantly larger and in contrasting dramatic red, and the first part of his name inside – while one can figure out the "proper" order, this arrangement means one is likely to see and place importance on the name "Poe."
Writing almost a century later, Lovecraft combined sensibilities of gothic horror with science fiction, dealing with themes of forbidden and dangerous knowledge. His works can be seen as a reaction against the dangers of modernity and scientism. The book cover illustrates this with striking, bold geometric shapes and serif font, characteristic of modern styles that hoped to express progress. To interrupt this otherwise perfectly modernist design, the cover is cut in half by a dark nebulous void, which also splits the author's name from "The Complete Fiction."
Creator
Conner Tomlinson
Publisher
Barnes & Noble
Date
02/16/20
Contributor
Conner Tomlinson
Format
Digital Image
Type
Literature
Files
Collection
Citation
Conner Tomlinson, “Book Shelf (Lovecraft and Poe),” COM/ENG 395, accessed December 4, 2024, https://com395.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/items/show/123.