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TALBOT MUNDY
BIBLIO
MATERIALS TOWARD A BIBLIOGRAPHY
OF THE WORKS
OF
TALBOT MUNDY
Edited by BRADFORD M. DAY
A Bit of His Life
Talbot Mundy was born in London on April 23, 1879. He was educated at
Rugby, and served nearly ten years, beginning in 1900, as a government
official in Africa and India. While in India, he wandered all over the
sub-continent on horseback, and even into Tibet. Eastern occult lore
first attracted, then fascinated, his active and unorthodox mind. Mundy
absorbed all he could learn of the Indian beliefs.
Government service next brought him to Africa where he studied
first-hand the nature magic of many of the tribes and cultures of East
Africa. His quest for more information on this subject impelled him to
travel extensively through Egypt and the Near East and even into parts
of Arabia. This was truly adventurous at the time, but only in character
with the man who killed dozens of lions and successfully hunted for
ivory.
Mundy visited Australia, and Mexico as far south as Yucutan. He first
arrived in the United States in 1911, and liked the country so much that
he decided to stay and become a citizen.
Mundy quickly turned his energies to writing, and an article, "Pig
Sticking in India," was accepted and published in the April 1911 issue
of Adventure Magazine, itself only a few months old. Another article and
his first story, "The Phantom Battery" soon appeared. For years
thereafter, Adventure had short stories, novelettes, novels, and serials
by this master teller of tales in most of the issues that were printed.
The motif and locale of the stories and very infrequent articles usually
stemmed from the areas, people, and occult knowledge previously
mentioned. The manly art of self defense must have occupied some of
Mundy's attention during his early career. A series of stories about
Billy Blain, pugilist, appeared under the pen-name of Walter Gait,
beginning with the February 1912 issue of Adventure. Two articles were
also printed under this pseudonym.
Scribners of New York produced his first book, "Rung Ho" in 1914, then
apparently forgot him. In 1916, Bobbs-Merrill of Indianapolis published
one of his most famous stories, "King--of the Khyber Rifles," and
Cassell and Company of London brought out "The Winds of the World." Both
were well received, and Mundy's career to a moderate renown was on its
way.
In succeeding years he continued to write for Adventure and other
magazines, most of the stories being snapped up by various book
publishers. Many of the books were reprinted in several editions by
different companies, and, confusing to a bibliophile, the English
publications ware often re-titled.
During the 1920's Mundy bought a part of the Point Loma estate in
California, called The Cliffs. He settled there for several years and
became a member of the Theosophical Society presided over by Katherine
Tingley. A half-dozen of his books were written there and, "Om; the
Secret of Ahbor Valley," shows the influence of this occult society.
He contributed many articles to Tingley's theosophical magazines, her
most noted publication being the Theosophical Path. After her death in
1929, Mundy left Point Loma but always retained his interest in and
sympathy with Theosophy.
Mundy continued writing almost to the time of his death on August 5,
1940. In all, forty-nine books were produced under his name, thirty-nine
of which were original works. At least one-hundred and fifty stories and
articles appeared in magazines; most of these, perhaps nearly all, are
listed in this bibliography. None of the theosophical articles are
included here, though, as the intent of this listing is to stress his
mastery of the fantasy-high adventure tale.
It is still too soon to properly evaluate Mundy's importance in the
stream of literature. His style of writing, choice of language, is
smoothly readable. One "fault," if such it be, is a sometimes too
carefully contrived buildup to plot situations. This careful skill did
result in glowing word-pictures and living characters.
Considerable assistance was given on this project by friends and fellow
enthusiasts. My grateful thanks to all as they come to mind:
Dr. J. Lloyd Eaton--Berkeley, California
John C. Nitka--Richmond Hill, New York
James A. Strand--Portland, Oregon
Walter A. Carrithers, Jr.--Fresno, California
Robert Resch--Reading, Pennsylvania
Richard Witter, Donald Grant, and some others
for appreciated words of caution and advice.
The following list must not be supposed the final and
authoritative word on this subject.
A list of his books
ALL FOUR WINDS: FOUR NOVELS OF INDIA
Hutchinson London 1934 1232
King--of the Khyber Rifles Jimgrim
Om; the Secret of Ahbor Valley Black Light
Cover Black--yellow letters
BLACK LIGHT
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1930 315
A.L. Burt
("There was no moon yet ...")
Cover maroon--black letters
THE BUBBLE REPUTATION
(See ibid--HER REPUTATION)
CAESAR DIES
Hutchinson London No date 206
("Golden Antioch lay like a jewel at a mountain's throat ...")
(The Falling Star--MAGAZINE--Adventure 10/23/26)
Cover red
THE CAVES OF TERROR
Hutchinson London No date 255
(Pocketbook) Doubleday, Page New York 1924 118
("Meldrum Strange has a way with him ...")
(The Gray Mahatma--MAGAZINE--Adventure 11/10/22
Famous Fantastic Mysteries 12/ /51)
Cover light blue--rose letters
C.I.D.
Century New York 1932 280
Hutchinson London 1932 288
("It was typical south-west monsoon weather ...")
(C.I.D.--MAGAZINE--Adventure 3/1/33 to 4/15/33)
Cover yellow--black letters with red and black Oriental Figure
COCK O' THE NORTH
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1929 340
("Angus, nicknamed "Gup" McLeod, six feet two and a half
inches of him, came untouched out of the Great War ...")
(The Invisible Guns of Kabul--MAGAZINE--Adventure 10/1/29)
Cover orange--black letters
THE DEVIL'S GUARD
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1926 335
Oriental Club
Wells & Shakespeare
("I find myself wondering why I should go to the trouble to
write what few men will believe ...")
(Ramsden--MAGAZINE--Adventure 6/8/26)
Cover maroon--green letters
DIAMONDS SEE IN THE DARK
Hutchinson London No date 287
(See ibid--EAST AND WEST)
Cover red
EAST AND WEST
Appleton-Century New York 1937 310
("Moses Lafayette O'Leary tossed his pith helmet to a coolie ...")
Cover yellow--black letters with red and black Oriental Figure
THE EYE OF ZEITOON
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1920 354
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie[A]
A.L. Burt
("It is written with authority of Tarsus that once it was
no mean city ...")
(The Eye of Zeitoon--MAGAZINE--Romance 2/ /20)
Cover reddish-brown--brown letters on black background
[Footnote A: Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery--A set of ten titles]
FULL MOON
Appleton-Century New York 1935 312
("Bombay sweltered ...")
(Full Moon--MAGAZINE--Famous Fantastic Mysteries 2/ /53)
Cover yellow--black letters with red and black Oriental Figure
THE GUNGA SAHIB
Century New York and London 1934 303
("Birds sang blithely at the forest's edge ...")
(When Trails Were New--MAGAZINE--Argosy-All-Story 10/27/28
to 12/1/28)
Cover yellow-black letters
GUNS OF THE GODS
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1921 359
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
("The why and wherefore of my privilege to write a true
account of the Princess Yasmini's Early youth is a story ...")
(Guns of the Gods--MAGAZINE--Adventure 3/1/21 to 5/1/21)
Cover yellow brown--black letters
GUP-BAHADUR
Hutchinson London No date 292
(See ibid--COCK O' THE NORTH)
Cover blue
HER REPUTATION
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1923 333
A.L. Burt
("There is an hour of promise and a zero hour ...")
Cover red--gold letters (Burt edition)
HIRA SINGH'S TALE--When India came to fight in Flanders
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1918 308
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
A.L. Burt
("A Sikh who must have stood six feet without his turban ...")
(Hira Singh's Tale--MAGAZINE--Adventure 10/18/17 to 12/3/17)
Cover green with embossed letters
THE HUNDRED DAYS & THE WOMAN AYISHA
Century New York and London 1931 349
("They kept this out of the papers at the time ...")
(The Hundred Days--MAGAZINE--Adventure 4/10/22)
(The Woman Ayisha--MAGAZINE--Adventure 4/20/22)
Cover yellow--black letters with red and black Oriental Figure
I SAY SUNRISE
Dakers London 1947 182
Wells Philadelphia 1949 187
("I know whereof I write and to whom I write ...")
(Philosophical non-fiction)
Wells edition cover dark blue--gold figure--gold letters on spine
THE IVORY TRAIL
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1919 411 Ill.
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
A.L. Burt
("Estimates of ease and affluence vary with the point of view.")
(On the Trail of Tipoo Tib--MAGAZINE--Adventure 5/1/19
(Trek East--POCKETBOOK--Universal Pub. 1954) to 7/15/19)
Cover red--red letters on black background
JIMGRIM
Century New York and London 1931 385
A.L. Burt
("It was one of those sun-drunken days in spring ...")
(King of the World--MAGAZINE--Adventure 11/15/30 to 2/15/31)
(Jimgrim Sahib--POCKETBOOK--Universal Pub. 1953)
Cover yellow--black letters with red and black Oriental Figure
JIMGRIM AND ALLAH'S PEACE
Appleton-Century New York 1936 279
("There is a beautiful belief that journalists may do as they
(The Adventure at El-Kerak--MAGAZINE--please ...")
Adventure 11/10/21)
(Under the Dome of the Rock--Magazine--Adventure 12/10/21)
Cover yellow--black letters with red end black Oriental Figure
JUNGLE JEST
Century New York and London 1932 392
("Someone began to pray in a nasal snarl, and a stallion
(Benefit of Doubt--MAGAZINE--Adventure squealed ...")
12/10/22)
Cover yellow--black letters
THE KING IN CHECK
Appleton-Century New York 1934 244
Hutchinson London 1933 256
("Whoever invented chess understood the world's works ...")
(The King in Check--MAGAZINE--Adventure 7/10/22)
Appleton-Century edition cover purple--gold letters
KING--OF THE KHYBER RIFLES
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1916 395
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
Readers League of America
A.L. Burt
("The men who govern India--more power to them and her ...")
(King--of the Khyber Rifles--MAGAZINE--Everybody's 5/ /16)
Cover red--red letters on black background
Cover olive--gold letters Variants of same edition?
THE LION OF PETRA
Hutchinson London 1932 255
Appleton-Century
A.L. Burt
("This isn't an animal story ...")
(The Lion of Petra--MAGAZINE--Adventure 3/10/22)
Burt edition cover orange--black letters
THE LOST TROOPER
Hutchinson London No date 252
("How can you begin a tale at the beginning when it has ...")
(The Lost Trooper--MAGAZINE--Adventure 5/30/22)
Cover red--gold letters
THE MARRIAGE OF MELDRUM STRANGE
Hutchinson London No date 254
("This is an immoral story ...")
(The Marriage of Meldrum Strange--MAGAZINE--Adventure 10/10/23)
Cover blue
THE MYSTERY OF KHUFU'S TOMB
Appleton-Century New York 1935 279 Ill.
("We Americans are ostriches ...")
(Khufu's Real Tomb--MAGAZINE--Adventure 10/10/22)
Cover purple--gold letters
THE NINE UNKNOWN
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1923 353
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
("I had this story from a dozen people ...")
(The Nine Unknown--MAGAZINE--Adventure 3/20/23 to 4/30/23)
Cover blue--yellow letters
OLD UGLY FACE
Appleton-Century New York 1940 544
Wells & Shakespeare
("Things seemed vague that evening ...")
Cover blue--gold letters
OM; THE SECRET OF AHBOR VALLEY
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1924 392
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
Hutchinson
("If you want views about the world's news, read what ...")
(Om; the Secret of Ahbor Valley--MAGAZINE--Adventure 10/10/24 to
10/30/24)
Cover green--black letters
PURPLE PIRATE
Appleton-Century New York 1935 367
("Hitherto I have found my real goal unattainable ...")
(Battle Stations--MAGAZINE--Adventure 5/1/35
Cleopatra's Promise Adventure 6/15/35
Purple Pirate Adventure 8/15/35
Fleets of Fire Adventure 10/1/35)
Cover yellow--black letters with red and black Oriental Figure
QUEEN CLEOPATRA
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1929 426
("Cleopatra yawned ...")
Cover black--green letters
RAMSDEN
(See ibid--THE DEVIL'S GUARD)
THE RED FLAME OF ERINPURA
Hutchinson London No date 255
("There was a voice outside, and nothing else ...")
(The Red Flame of Erinpura--MAGAZINE--Adventure 1/1/27)
Cover red
ROMANCES OF INDIA
A.L. Burt New York and Chicago No date 281
King--of the Khyber Rifles Guns of the Gods
Told in the East
Cover orange--black letters
RUNG HO
Scribners New York 1914 371 Ill.
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
A.L. Burt
("That was no time or place for any girl of twenty to ...")
(For the Peace of India--MAGAZINE--Adventure 2/ /14
to 4/ /14)
Cover olive--black letters on front, gold on spine
THE SEVENTEEN THIEVES OF EL KALIL
Hutchinson London No date 254
("Steam never killed romance ...")
(The Seventeen Thieves of El Kalil--MAGAZINE--Adventure 2/20/22)
Cover red
THE SOUL OF A REGIMENT
Alex Dulfer San Francisco 1925 25
(See ibid--THE VALIANT VIEW)
(See ibid--ADVENTURE'S BEST STORIES--1926 edited by A.S. Hoffman,
an anthology published by Doran, New York, 1926)
(The Soul of A Regiment--MAGAZINE--Adventure 2/ /12)
("So long as its colours remain ...")
Cover green--white spine
THERE WAS A DOOR
(See ibid--FULL MOON)
THE THUNDER DRAGON GATE
Appleton-Century New York and London 1937 335
Hutchinson
("It was one of those days when not even Cockneys like London.")
Cover yellow--black letters with red and black Oriental Figure
TOLD IN THE EAST
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1920 281
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
("A blood red sun rested its huge disc upon a low mud wall ...")
(Hookum Hai--MAGAZINE--Adventure 7/ /13
For the Salt He Had Eaten Adventure 3/ /13
Machassan Ah Adventure 4/ /15)
Cover brown--tan letters with black background
TROS OF SAMOTHRACE
Appleton-Century New York and London 1934 949
(Tros of Samothrace--MAGAZINE--Adventure 2/10/25
The Enemy of Rome Adventure 4/10/25
Prisoners of War Adventure 6/10/25
Admiral of Caesar's Fleet Adventure 10/10/25
The Dancing Girls of Gades Adventure 12/10/25
A Messenger of Destiny Adventure 2/10/26 to 2/30/26)
Cover yellow--black letters
THE VALIANT VIEW: a collection of stories
Hutchinson London 1939 256
("So long as its colours remain, and there is one man left ...")
(The Soul of A Regiment--MAGAZINE--Adventure 2/ /12
The Damned Old Nigger Adventure 5/ /16
The Chaplain of the Hullingars Adventure 3/ /12
The Pillar of Light
One Arabian Fight Adventure 11/ /13
Machassan Ah Adventure 4/ /15
The Man from Poonch Argosy 6/17/33
The Eye-Teeth of O'Hara Adventure 11/1/31
Innocent Non-combatant
The Honorable Pig )
Cover red
W.H.
Hutchinson London No date 256
("The manuscript of this story was found in the cellar of ...")
(Ho for London Town--MAGAZINE--Argosy-All-Story 2/2/29 to
(The Queen's Warrant--POCKETBOOK) 2/23/29)
Cover orange
WHEN TRAILS WERE NEW
Hutchinson London No date 288
(See ibid--THE GUNGA SAHIB)
THE WINDS OF THE WORLD
Cassell London and New York 1916 307
Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis 1917 331 Ill.
McKinley, Stone & McKenzie (Masterpieces of Oriental Mystery)
A.L. Burt
("A watery July sun was hurrying towards a Punjab skyline ...")
(The Winds of the World--MAGAZINE--Adventure 7/ /15 to 9/ /15)
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