Tuesday, April 21, 2009

AVENGERS #4 March 1964 Capt. America Appearance XLNT!

AVENGERS #4 March 1964 Capt. America Appearance XLNT! - eBay (item 250411515139 end time Apr-26-09 19:03:18 PDT)

This pivotal issue of Avengers #4 published by Marvel in March, 1964 features the first Silver Age appearance of Captain America after a long hiatus. This is the original comic, not the Golden Record reprint. Gotta love that classic cover by Jack Kirby. Cast of characters includes Captain America, Giant Man, Thor, Iron Man, Sub-Mariner and The Wasp.

Let's talk about the condition. According to the Overstreet Comic Price Guide, a 6.0 Fine (FN) is:
"An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects." (This copy is flat as a freshly ironed hanky, has a very small crease beside Sub-Mariner, and a 1/4" scuff in the foxing near the spine on the back cover.)

"Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed." (There's a longer crease along the back cover edge that may have happened when it was bundled at the news dealer's.)

"Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases." (No wear, two small Marvel chipping bits gone, see minor creases above.)

"Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity." (None.)

"Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing." (This copy has square corners, foxing stains on both sides of front and back cover, age darkening along edges inside covers.)

"Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present." (None.)

"A minor spine roll is allowed." (None.)

"There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break." (None.)

"Staples may show minor discoloration." (None here--staples are on back of comic, shiny and pristine.)

"Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration." (No staple tears, no rust at all, a few shallow score marks at spine beside Captain America's name.)

"Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness." (These pages are exactly like that.)

"Minor interior tears at the margin may be present." (Only read once, no tears.)

"Centerfold may be loose." (Nice and tight.)

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Saturday, April 11, 2009

Original H.P. LOVECRAFT PENCIL PORTRAIT Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Original H.P. LOVECRAFT PENCIL PORTRAIT Joe Wehrle, Jr. - eBay (item 250405608028 end time Apr-12-09 18:29:06 PDT)

This Lovecraft portrait by Joe Wehrle, Jr., done in black Prismacolor pencil on coquille board, is a re-creation of the stipple ink portrait he did for Lava Mountain Records in 1976. It was published on the back cover of the LP "Adaptation of The Haunter of the Dark." He didn't get the original art back from Lava Mountain, so never had the opportunity to sell this portrait.

This is one of about six Lovecraftian drawings he did for the company, some of which never appeared because the records weren't produced. He also did a Lovecraft portrait for Mirage Press, which appeared on the Mark Owings Revised Lovecraft Bibliography in 1973.

Joe Wehrle, Jr. is noted for work in Galaxy and IF digest science fiction magazines, covers and interior illustrations in Arkham House and Mirage Press books, illustrations for Burroughs-oriented journals and on a lighter note, the story and drawings in the Big Little Book Cauliflower Catnip.

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Monday, April 6, 2009

Rare DARK BROTHERHOOD JOURNAL 3 Arkham Hs, Weird Tales!

Rare DARK BROTHERHOOD JOURNAL 3 Arkham Hs, Weird Tales! - eBay (item 310133722051 end time Apr-12-09 19:20:00 PDT)

This 1973 copy of The Dark Brotherhood Journal #3 was published by George H. Record who started an organization for fans of Weird Tales magazine, Arkham House books and other macabre fiction and called it The Dark Brotherhood. The name came from an Arkham House book of stories and articles by and about H.P. Lovecraft. After producing a number of newsletters and several of these journals, George Record seemed to disappear and the organization was no more. We think these journals were produced in a very limited quantity because we have a membership roster which only listed 116 persons as members, including some famous-name honorary members. Cover by Craig Robertson.

Contents:
  • Ave (editorial) by George H. Record
  • Lovecraft in the British Thriller by Edward S. Lauterbach
  • Atlantis: The Temple by Edward S. Lauterbach
  • Witch House by Edward S. Lauterbach
  • Reprinting the Classics by J.B. Post
  • The Second Passenger by Basil Copper
  • About Bram Stoker by Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. (includes a bibliography of Stoker's work)

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Rare CLARK ASHTON SMITH, VIRGIL FINLAY Gerry de la Ree!

Rare CLARK ASHTON SMITH, VIRGIL FINLAY Gerry de la Ree! - eBay (item 250402267850 end time Apr-12-09 18:40:20 PDT)

This Klarkash-Ton and Monstro Ligriv booklet published by Gerry de la Ree in 1974 presents previously unpublished poems and art by Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961) and Virgil Finlay (1914-1971). It includes Smith's correspondence with Finlay in 1937 following the death of H.P. Lovecraft. It has great art and photos of Smith with parents and Finlay with his first Weird Tales cover. This is hand-numbered copy 9 of 500 published.

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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Vintage Harley-Davidson Motorcycle BELT BUCKLE Monogram

Vintage Harley-Davidson Motorcycle BELT BUCKLE Monogram - eBay (item 250397889306 end time Apr-02-09 18:23:46 PDT)

This silver color metal belt buckle features an ornate background with affixed red, black and silver Harley-Davidson Motorcycles logo in one corner, and a motorcycle in the other corner. The center has a the monogram letters HWW in red and silver. The back has a hook and loop for a 1 1/4" belt. The loop is marked, "Hook-Fast, Reg. U.S. Pat. Off."

I don't know how the letters are attached or if they can be removed without leaving a mark. If you're a Harley fan whose initials are HWW, this is the buckle for you!

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