Especially gratifying to the business office (likewise to your Ed.) are letters such as this:
“Dear sir: The other day, as I stopped at a nearby newsstand, I noticed a copy of the March issue of WEIRD TALES. As I am much interested in the type of story which this magazine presents, and continually on the lookout for new magazines of all kinds, I immediately bought one.
“‘Do you know,’ said the dealer, ‘it is surprising how that magazine has sold. I took six copies this morning, wondering if they would sell. You have just bought the sixth. Next time I can judge my order better.’
“I have read the issue, and I wish to congratulate you on your initiative in putting before the reading public stories such as it is almost impossible to obtain elsewhere. Several of my friends, who have picked up the copy, after reading some of the stories, have expressed their approval and wishes for a continued success.
“James P. Marshall,
“409 Marlboro Street, Boston, Mass.”
Thanks! If there is any one thing that pleases us more than printing exceptional stories in WEIRD TALES it is the news that a dealer is selling all his quota. It wounds us grievously to see unsold copies returned.
Earl L. Bell of Augusta, Georgia, writes us:
“Dear Mr. Baird: Just a few lines to tell you how I enjoyed the natal issue of WEIRD TALES. For years I have been looking for just such a periodical. I’m tired of reading magazines that cater to the type of stuff that milady likes to read as she lies in bed, holds the periodical with one hand and feeds chocolates to a poodle with the other.
“I have often remarked that Poe’s stories, if written today instead of many years ago, would be dubbed pure rot by most of the American magazines. The editors admit that Poe’s horror tales are among the most gripping stories ever penned. Then why is it they taboo such stories today?
“I think you have the right trail. Especially thrilling and well-written were ‘The Ghoul and the Corpse’ and ‘The Young Man Who Wanted to Die.’ For sheer imagery, word-pictures and mastery of style, both stories reached perihelion.”