One of the finest and bestselling horror novels of the 1970’s, Joan Samson’s The Auctioneer is a chilling masterpiece of terror. In an isolated New Hampshire farming community where little has changed over the past several decades, John Moore and his wife Mim do their best to maintain the family farm and live a modest, hardworking life. But from the moment the charismatic Perly Dinsmore arrives in town, soliciting donations for his auctions, the community of Harlowe slowly and insidiously starts to change. As the auctioneer carries out his terrible, inscrutable plan, the Moores and their neighbors will find themselves gradually but inexorably stripped of their freedom, their possessions, and perhaps even their lives.
Joan Samson
Upon its release in 1975, The Auctioneer was received with wide acclaim. Newsday hailed it “a suspenseful, engrossing novel with the most gripping and violent ending we’ve encountered for some time.” The Grand Rapids Press lauded it, “a powerful novel by a powerful author.” The New York Times called it, “explosive and chilling… I challenge anyone to resist it after reading the first few pages.”
Despite critical praise, sales of over a million copies, a popular television advertisement, and efforts to turn the novel into a film, The Auctioneer went out of print soon after its release and was considered a lost gem of a novel for subsequent decades. Written by a young, talented, and promising author, The Auctioneer would ultimately be Joan Samson’s only novel. Sadly, she passed away shortly after the book’s publication, edging the novel further into obscurity. The Auctioneer found its way back to print in 2018 in a trade edition, returning at last to chill a new generation of readers.
With echoes of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Stephen King’s Needful Things, Samson’s slow burn of understated violence builds to a climactic fever pitch with an ending that makes for one of the most unforgettable horror novels of all time.
About The Editions:
The limited edition of The Auctioneer by Joan Samson is presented in three states: Lettered, Numbered and an Artist Gift. The editions measure 6” x 9” and feature six black & white illustrations by Dave Christensen, as well as a new exclusive introduction by Warren C. Carberg, Jr.; and a preface by Grady Hendrix which appeared in the trade edition. The Lettered and Numbered editions also include a reproduction of the original first edition dust jacket art by Wendell Minor.
Lettered Edition ($2,150)
The Lettered edition is limited to 26 copies and is covered in rustic cowhide leather with a foil stamped cover. Endsheets are handmade bark paper and the edition is printed offset on Hahnemühle Ingress. The enclosure is covered in Japanese cloth. The edition is signed by Warren C. Carberg, Jr., Dave Christensen, Grady Hendrix and Wendell Minor.
If any copies of the Lettered edition are available when it opens up for public pre-order, those will be sold through a lottery only.
Numbered Edition ($495)
The Numbered edition of 250 copies is a quarter cloth, flatback binding with handmade Indiana Wheatstraw paper boards and a foil stamped cover. Endsheets are Hahnemühle Bugra and the edition is printed offset on Mohawk Superfine. The slipcase is covered in a custom designed paper wrap printed on Hahnemühle Bugra. The edition is signed by Warren C. Carberg, Jr., Dave Christensen, Grady Hendrix and Wendell Minor.
Demand for our Numbered editions has been far greater than the available supply. We have taken action to increase print runs on future titles, and you can read more about that here. Please be aware that there is a chance that this edition may only be available for purchase through a lottery when it opens up for public pre-order.
Artist Gift Edition ($125)
The Artist Gift edition is limited to 1000 copies featuring the original first edition dust jacket artwork by Wendell Minor, reproduced in full color. It is a full cloth, smyth sewn binding with two-hits foil stamping. It is the only edition of the three with the dust jacket, and is signed by Dave Christensen and Wendell Minor. The edition is housed in a distressed faux leather embossed slipcase.
Lettered and Numbered editions are available for pre-order on Saturday, September 19th 2020 at 9 A.M. Pacific. The Artist Gift Edition can be ordered now.
More info HERE.