The Dagon Collection by Nate Pedersen

Book Review

Pauline Morgan

There is always a place for experimental writing or new approaches to literature, and genre fiction is often at the forefront.

            Despite his reputation as a flawed man, the works of H.P. Lovecraft still have a fascination and a following. This volume has been produced in the form of an auction catalogue. The premise is that the items offered for sale were ‘Items Recovered in the Federal Raid on Innsmouth, Mass.’ that was purported to have taken place in 1928, with the items confiscated being offered for auction.

            This book is set out as an auction catalogue that has been bound. It lists the experts who have provided details and histories of the items – many of which will be names familiar to those modern readers who are familiar with the fiction generated by Lovecraft’s ideas but styled to give the contributors an ‘academic’ standing for 1929, the purported year of the auction., effectively making this an anthology of Lovecraft inspired stories.

            The thirty five items, some of which are illustrated, are grouped into categories. Each has a detailed description followed by an account of its history, properties, and, where appropriate, the dangers that might come from owning the object.

Weapons in fantasy tend to be credited with magical properties. The two items in the category of ‘Arms and Armour’ have back stories which give them mythical status. ‘The Byrnie of Hilde Angsardóttir’ is a mail shirt of steel rings which do not appear to have been riveted or welded. The story is that Hilde becomes trapped in an underground lagoon and, after some gruesome experiences, learns the magical chant that enables her to make the byrnie. The other item in this section is ‘The Sword of the Sea’. The claim is that it was made from a rock with peculiar properties. The resulting sword is used in a number of atrocities.

The ‘Art’ section contains seven items varying from three-dimensional artefacts, such as a ‘Fox mask Stirrup Cup’ which was rumoured to be used as a vessel for poisoning, to prints by an unknown Innsmouth artist. Perhaps the most intriguing, and potentially dangerous of these artefacts is the eight foot ‘Indonesian Statue if Unknown Deity’. Originally from an island in Indonesia, its history is associated with death.

Under ‘Books and Manuscripts’ there are eight esoteric items, including a ‘Holy Bible, Annotated.’ It is a version illustrated by Gustave Doré but the annotations are purported to be by a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn. Some of the annotations are given, and it is worth noting that the commentary on these is given as by a Ramsey Campbell, PhD. The annotations by the original owner of the bible suggest the scripture references parts of the Daoloth mythos.

Of the three items catalogued under ‘Jewellery & Related’ there is a ‘Lady’s Hand Mirror’ which is reputed to have been given to Lucrezia Borgia as a wedding gift and was supposed to bring ill-fortune to anyone who looked into who wished ill to its owner.

The ‘Nautical’ section contains five items, including a ‘Diving Suit’ designed for exploring the depths of the Scottish Loch Orm.by Kiernan MacOich. With the intention of finding a mermaid. There are other items described in the catalogue, along with their legends and provenance.

This is a beautifully crafted book and can be regarded as a sequence of short stories. It is a book for dipping into and adds to the legendary status of Innsmouth. An elegant addition to the shelves of collectors of Lovecraftian ephemera.