Creeps by Night: Chills and Thrills

Notes

21 stories with introduction by Dashiell Hammett Several notices in US newspapers mention 20 stories, but there are 21. As of the second printing, January 1932, as seen on a scan of the copyright page, there are 20 stories--"A Woman Alone with Her Soul" has been dropped.

Hammett selected the stories as the judge of public nominations. (quote) The John Day Company is willing to pay $10 to any bookseller, literary editor or other person who suggests a story read in any English or American periodical which may be found acceptable for inclusion in "Creeps by Night", a collection of chills and thrills planned for September publication. Dashiell Hammett will be the judge of eligibility and no story will be used which already has appeared in book form. It is preferred that they should have been printed in periodicals not more than three years old. -- (end quote) New York Herald Tribune 1931-05-22 p19, "Literary Notes" -- The New York Times -05-31 pBR11, "Books and Authors", provides much the same information, and deadline June 15 for receipt of nominations. "It is to be a collection of strange and weird tales, by authors of any nationality. ... older stories may, in exceptional cases, be chosen if they are particularly chilling or thrilling."

"La Maison" was translated by Jacques Chambrun as "The House" "Die Spinne" was translated by Walter F. Kohn as "The Spider"

September publication is from May 1931 newspaper coverage of the call for nominations, deadline June 15. See the collection record. Hammett's introduction is cited in NY Herald Tribune 1931-09-13 and 14.

As of 2019-04-30, Amazon ASIN B000H1NXVA provides an image of the front cover (not jacket), reported 1st edition.

Several notices in US newspapers mention 20 stories, but there are 21 (manual count). As of the second printing, January 1932, as seen on a scan of the copyright page, there are 20 stories--"A Woman Alone with Her Soul" has been dropped.