originally published The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October 1957
Ward Phillips, a reclusive, sickly pulp writer, lives off the dwindling remains of his family's lost fortune. From his long-disappeared grandfather, Whipple, he's inherited a host of old books and an antique lamp, decorated with figures. When lit, the lamp produces visions of exotic, fantastic worlds. These so inspire Phillips that composes a host of stories about them.
Years go by. Phillips' health is failing. One night, he burns the lamp again. This time he sees visions of the Rhode Island of his childhood.
A correspondent comes to visit Phillips, but finds him gone. Phillips has vanished, never to be seen again...
This is a major departure among the Derleth "collaborations", and its excellent in part because of that. Rather than ape HPL (poorly), Derleth has written a rather gentle fairy tale in tribute to his late friend. And provided him an exit more in keeping with Lovecraft's tastes. All in all, this is a moving little oddity.
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