Alfred Hitchcock's Haunted Houseful from 1963 ..Even creepier then the last book

Tom Smith Monsternut · August 25, 2009, 12:28:39 AM

You think that last book was creepy ? This came out the following year 1963. It is even Creepier.

to see more go here.. If your heart can stand it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomscolor/sets/72157622012620049/

Best..
Tom

mike c · August 25, 2009, 01:40:37 AM

Saved me the hassle, Tom! Beautiful scans... the Water Ghost (of Harrowby Hall) used to scare the bleep out of me, especially in that inside cover... chills!

Mike C.

BaronLatos35 · August 25, 2009, 07:43:14 AM

Thanks for posting Tom! I loved that inside cover, used to look at it non stop, brings back great memories.

I hear you Mike C, The Water Ghost was one of my favorites as well.

2 great books from our youth. BTW, remember Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? I wore those books out. If my scanner worked, I'd post some pics.

BaronLatos35 · August 25, 2009, 07:48:21 AM

I just went to flickr and remembered "Jimmy Takes Vanishing Lessons". This was on Alfred Hitchcocks record Ghost Stories as well. Loved this fun tale of ghosts and kids. How cool was it as a kid that Jimmy learned to vanish? and then flexed on the ghost/ LOL. Great stuff.

In 5th grade my monsterbuddy and I did a sock puppet show for a class project of this story. Needless to say, no one else got it. lol. That's the usual for us monsterkids!

typhooforme · August 25, 2009, 08:43:32 AM

I had this series of books on my shelves in the jr high library for 30 years and their popularity never wavered. Other books came and went--flash in the pan stuff--I remember the sudden popularity of the "Goosebumps" books, for instance--but the Hitchcock anthologies remained and were constantly requested and reserved and renewed. I kind of think that when one of the kids took a Hitchcock book home, it was often read by mom, dad, sister, and brother, too! Great collections of stories, and those illustrations were the icing on the cake.

mike c · August 25, 2009, 10:03:17 AM

Quote from: typhooforme on August 25, 2009, 08:43:32 AM
I kind of think that when one of the kids took a Hitchcock book home, it was often read by mom, dad, sister, and brother, too! Great collections of stories, and those illustrations were the icing on the cake.

No question about it!
My family are voracious readers, one of those families where, when I was younger, it was quite common in our home to see a stack (or two!) of books at each bedside. We were each generally in the middle of a half dozen books at any given time. The Hitchcock books were among those which jumped from stack to stack on a weekly basis! From dad down to my baby sister (well, once she was old enough to read them)!
And the illustrations are so 'of their kind', so unique, so evocative. And so impactful on my young mind that any ghost story or horror tale I was told at a sleepover or read in another book was, in my mind's eye, illustrated by Fred Banbery! The first time I ever heard the 'Thump-thump-drag' story, or 'Give me back my liver', any/all those classic campfire tales, my inner eye saw these kinds of two or three color, atmospheric and terrifying drawings!
To me they're still the standard.

Mike C.

ChrisW · August 25, 2009, 11:14:50 AM

Yes and yes to all accounts! Wonderful creepy stories and even creepier illustrations. As a child it was technically my older sisters book, but it resided on my bookcase until a flood swept it away. Thanks to ebay I've replaced it and still pull it down occasionally.
Thanks for posting!

CreepysFan · August 25, 2009, 04:02:02 PM

I have this, and re-read it often. This book is a beloved part of my childhood, and I personally think the stories are as great now even after all these years. As great for an adult reading as for kids.

hhwolfman · August 25, 2009, 05:06:38 PM

Here are a couple in my collection.

Wicked Lester · August 25, 2009, 05:19:00 PM

I love em. I want em. What do these usually sell for in decent condition?
I had a huge box of A.H anthologies and mags I inherited from my mom and burned thru them pretty quick.

hhwolfman · August 25, 2009, 05:58:42 PM

Quote from: Wicked Lester on August 25, 2009, 05:19:00 PM
I love em. I want em. What do these usually sell for in decent condition?
I had a huge box of A.H anthologies and mags I inherited from my mom and burned thru them pretty quick.

I got mine for $5 each in trade, at a used book store by my shop. I really don't see them go for much on epay. You should be able to get em pretty cheap, IMO. HHW

Tom Smith Monsternut · August 25, 2009, 08:59:46 PM

I got my new set on Ebay for about $10 ea. and I finally gave the original set I had as a kid back to my older brother. They were his to start with ,I just keep them safe for 45 years

Tom

mike c · August 25, 2009, 09:19:58 PM

Quote from: BaronLatos35 on August 25, 2009, 07:43:14 AM
BTW, remember Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? I wore those books out. If my scanner worked, I'd post some pics.

LOVE those books, since the early 80's a staple of my bookshelf.
I have some of Stephen Gammell's wonderfully bizarre illustrations for that classic series in my doc's, good Baron. I'll make another thread in Memorable Memorabilia to show them for you (didn't want to derail this beautiful Banbery thread!).

Mike C.

The Creeper · August 25, 2009, 09:42:09 PM

Really cool books! I really would like to get them!

mike c · August 25, 2009, 10:44:06 PM

Quote from: The Creeper on August 25, 2009, 09:42:09 PM
Really cool books! I really would like to get them!

Ghostly Gallery and Haunted Houseful really are pretty findable on the 'Bay, and for even cheaper (if you hunt for a bit) through many other online used booksellers.
Usually $10 or less, in some cases including shipping. You could have them both within ten days' time.

Mike C.

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Alfred Hitchcock's Haunted Houseful from 1963 ..Even creepier then the last book