Lizzie Borden Society Forum

I saw a book on the Barnes and Noble website called "The Girl in the house of hate-- Lizzie Borden". I was wondering if anyone has read it and is it any good?

The book cost 38.00 dollars and I don't want to spend that much money on an awful book

That book used to live with me but I don't have the copy anymore. I did read it but as I recall 1/2 of it was reprinted testimony. If you've read the source documents you may know more about the case than those authors!

Bob Flynn re-issued it back in the early 90's with a handsome red binding and gold letters-it's okay- nothing new, save your money!

Yes, copies of this book can be had for 10 to 15 dollars and some are out there and available.

This title was published twice by two publishers. The copy you found was probably for the first edition in paperback (1953).

The first edition of this book was published by Gold Metal publishers (fawcett Pub.) They were known for their cover art which was at times controversial. (Gold Metal Publications and their covers in photos below)

The other publication was published by the Aeonian Press in the mid 70s. This is the hardcover copy which was suppose to be published in limited edition but continues to be published, and if I am not mistaken, is still being published today.

It was being published two years ago and being sold by the FRHS where it sold for 25 dollars. (25 dollars ?) The first edition of this hardback was published in dark blue. Later they published it in a red. I purchased a copy form the FRHS several years ago in a gray blue cover.

So, though the hard cover isssue was suppose to be published in hardback and limited to 300 copies, it is not so........there are many more of them out there.

Shelley @ Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:54 pm wrote:Bob Flynn re-issued it back in the early 90's with a handsome red binding and gold letters-it's okay- nothing new, save your money!

Glad you told me. I guess it's one of those books you get just to say that you have it. LOL!

No Snokkums< The Girl in the House of Hate was never published by Bob Flynn.

Though, I would not be surprise to discover he had something to do with it, if in fact it was true, since he was known to publish limited editions in unlimited quantity.

As I mention above, this book was published in two issues. The 1953 edition and the 70s Aeonian hardcover edition. Thus, Bob Flynn did not publish this title.

I have the 1950-ish dark blue hardcover. You're right, Snookums. It is one of those books just to add to your collection. It's very dry and boring. Great title, tho. But they shoulda called it 'The Book You'll Always Hate'. I would recommend this book to no one.

Yes Augusta: Not that it is any big thing. Being a collector of books, the dates, copyrights, publishers, etc. are important to me, and probably bores most people, but here we go again.

If you have the dark blue hardcover of THE GIRL IN THE HOUSE OF HATE, you probably have the first hardcover edition. It was published in the 70s not the 50s, though on the copyright page you should find the words "Fawcett Puib. 1953."

Again, a silly little detail to some, but to a collector who must have the real first edition such attributes are important.

Also important to collectors, though I have mentioned it a thousand times:

The people who published the hardcover of THE GIRL IN THE HOUSE OF HATE have pulled a Flynn and published this title many times, though it says in the book that it is published limited to 300 copies, it has been published many more times than that.

Below are my two copies. They are exactly the same except for the cover design. Yours must be the same, somewhat, but dark blue. Also included, one more time, is the pictorial 1953 softcover edition.

Mb - Well, I think what you're posting is important. Yes, my copy is dark blue. And there is absolutely nothing to indicate this book was not published in 1953.

They say they reprinted it, but they don't give another date. Is this even legal?

I also have the dark blue hardcover edition of the book "The Girl In The House Of Hate". I ordered it in the mid 90's, from a local bookstore. My copy only has the one date, 1953. However, under the date is the following paragraph:

To The Reader

It is our pleasure to keep available uncommon fiction and to this end, at the time of publication, we have used the best available sources. To aid catalogers and collectors, this title is printed in an edition limited to 300 copies. -----Enjoy!

Aeonian Press, Inc.
Box 1200
Mattituck, New York 11952

I see that Mbhenty already mentioned the limit of 300 copies ...sorry, I hadn't noticed that.

Hey Steve

Yes, this book has been reprinted many times and in not limited to 300 copies only.

It has been printed in dark blue, red and gray blue over the years. The real first edition was published in the 70s in dark blue. Not sure if the original first appearance of the Aeonian Press had the date written inside? You could have a later edition published in the same cloth as the original first hardcover edition.

Not sure who is actually printing the book now but my question is, what does it take to remove the declaration that it is limited to 300 copies?

Last time I checked, the FRHS was still ordering and stocking this title in limited edition hardcover not limited edition.

Hi, I have a hardcover copy but it's red. It has the same note to the reader. But on top of the page it says copyright 1953 by Fawcett Publications Inc.

I have the paperback. Considering when it was first published, it's notable for opining that Lizzie was "a Lesbian type." I think it also calls attention to Officer Harrington's familiarity with fabrics, though it does not go so far as to state that he was "a Homosexual, if married, type,' which is something I've often wondered about.

He was handsome, too, and seemingly the first non-family member to suspect that Lizzie's affect was questionable.