This week for my regular ‘Picture Postals’ blog post, some sketch views by the artist “Jas F Murray” whose full name was James Francis Murray (1899-1990). He ‘worked over’ much of the same antiquarian and coastal territory as Lovecraft, but some 15 or 20 years later. I’ve picked out a few postcard sketches from his very prolific output. The picks are either of Providence, or of places known to Lovecraft, or are coastal scenes evocative of Innsmouth. There are probably hundreds more of his scenes floating around, from which a larger selection might be made.


Providence:

The tentacular tree at the Betsy Williams House. Note the ‘face’ to be found in the tree.

The Van Wickle Gates at Brown University, a stone’s throw from Lovecraft’s final home.

The State House, whose distant exterior oriented him when glimpsed in distant views while out walking, and whose fine interior he came to admire in letters.


Evocative of Innsmouth:


Some places Lovecraft knew:

‘Mother Ann’, near Gloucester.

‘House of the Seven Gables’, Salem.

‘Witch House’, Salem.

Pioneers’ Village, Salem.

Conant, the key Puritan founder of Salem.

‘Gardener’s Court’, Nantucket. (Partially reconstructed picture, blurred on right-hand-side)