And my other collecting love, flamethrower covers. I love these things. It all started with War Comics 11.
I was friends with Bruce Ellsworth when he found the Salida collection. I went up to Santa Fe to hang out, and he had several lying around the house. I found a few I liked, and then just sitting on his kitchen table was War 11. I was floored. I had to have it, and he sold it to me for cheap. I paraded it around and took it to SD with me because of the Big 5 war dinner. Unfortunately, SD made me a little cash poor and in a moment of weakness I sold it (for an insane multiple of guide). As soon as it left my hands I knew I had done the wrong thing - and I've regretted it ever since.
It's a book that has to be seen in person to be appreciated. Structurally around an 8.5, but blinding white pages and brilliant inks & gloss. adamstrange has seen it and can attest to its beauty. I now have 4 other copies of it, and none of them approach the Salida. If anyone has a copy in FN or better (or even nice lower grades) please PM me.
These books - for the most part - have flamethrowers on the covers. Lots of burning Koreans. There are a couple (US Marines #8, Four Favorites #10) that have gatling guns eviscerating people, and I thought they fit in with the general theme.
Enjoy!