Beschreibung:

EC, MAD and PRE-CODE HORROR COMICS of the 1950s Author: [Briggs, I.; Nelson, C. & Kaffke, K.] Place: Publisher: Green Apple Books Date: Summer, 1997 Description: 48pp. (including covers). Over 500 listings. B&W illustrations. First printing (approx. 400 copies printed, of which approx. 250 copies were circulated and the remainder pulped). VF/NM. An uncirculated copy. "Over 500 listings, representing all the major horror publishers from Ace to Ziff-Davis." A fun catalogue blending sales and editorial content, pioneering a new spirit of comics marketing. Along with George Suarez's Tales to Terrible to Tell, the Green Apple catalogue was one of the few reliable pre-Code references of the late '90s, a watershed period for pre-Code fans, when non-EC horror mags began to really gain in interest. Also notable for early advocacy of Superior and Ajax-Farrell. It's fascinating to compare the 23-year old prices to current values (Crime SuspenStories #22: $75 for a solid VG copy!). The best lot in the catalog is Kurtzman's original cover to MAD #21 ("Stats and overlay on heavy art board... The cover is entirely mechanical and cut-and-paste, with no actual illustration, touch-ups or lettering by Kurtzman, although the brief marginal notations seem to be in Kurtzman's hand... Features the first MAD magazine appearance of the 'grinning idiot' character who would later become known as Alfred E. Neuman... An item of great artistic consequence and, I dare say, the most significant MAD collectible currently on the market. $2500"). The cover had been sold several years prior by Sotheby's for a hammer of about $850. Because the cover was photo-mechanical, with no actual drawing, it was practically considered junk by Sotheby's, whose catalogue entry gave it short shrift. It's instructive to witness the beginnings of a process-oriented appreciation of Kurtzman's art, as championed by Green Apple. An awareness of the value of Kurtzman's process-oriented work has since prevailed. If offered today, the cover of MAD #21 might reasonably be expected to fetch a minimum of $30,000. Consignments Accepted for PBA's Next Comic Book Auction. Golden Age, Silver Age, Pre-Code, Original Art, Interesting Ephemera Sought. Contact ivan@pbagalleries.com for details. PBA COMICS March 26th Comic Book Sale catalogues available. Supplies Limited. Softcover catalogue limited to 200 copies ($45 + $5 postage/handling). Hardcover limited to 26 lettered copies, dust jacket, special limitation plate ($150). Contact ivan@pbagalleries.com. Lot Amendments Condition: Item number: 312675