Cat-Man_America

I think the San Francisco Collection/Reilly story is more interesting than the Promise Collection because many of the books had never been opened from descriptions contemporaneous to their acquisition. Also, the stamp on the back of some of the books is unique and very distinct to this collection. The misdirection part is certainly possible, but GA comics weren't as BIG a consumer market back in the early 70's with sky high or rather Mile High values. If there was misdirection it was to insure the buyers would have continued access since my recollection is that the collection was bought in lots over several weeks. I wish Bud Plant would come back to the board and share his knowledge as I'm sure he has knows a lot more about these books than most of us. My simple observation is that the stamp on the back could be an owner's stamp or a bookstore, newsstand, drugstore, or other store or chain of stores in operation during WWII. The stamp could be the origin of the name "Reilly" or something like it with a "T" or "Tom" in front of it. It looks a bit more like a business design than a name to me, but it could be either or something else altogether. However, given the sources at our disposal these days, it wouldn't surprise me if some of this information can be tracked down with a little ingenuity and research. It's certainly one of the more intriguing mysteries in our hobby.

Purchased from Bud Plant at the OAFcon up in Oklahoma where all the kewl kids like MrB were set-up...

Here's an early one from '42...

Beautiful April '40 trifecta. I have two of the three, ...MM#8 and DM#5... which are tough books, but Mystic #3 is so mystical I can't recall having seen a copy in the wild! Note: I believe all three are Alex Schomburg covers, but unless I'm mistaken only the Mystic is attributed as such.

Recent acquisition (note: I'm not a Fiction House collector per se, but great cover art and robots are always a consideration and when this popped up at the OAFcon it was just too good to resist)...

sidekick menaced by knife to distressed damsel menaced by "fully armed" villain...

six sidekicks to just one which visually measures up in a variety of situations!

The handling and subsequent grading is the issue, but hard pressing is always a possibility!

Very difficult to predict because of crack-out & press grade bump resubmissions, but most high grades should retain their top tier status. And, those books that get knocked out of top spot may still be considered as "best" by collectors dependent on the perception of laxness or tightness of grading at any particular point in time. I don't expect many new collections of uniquely high grade raw books will pop up ...some perhaps, but that number diminishes over time. Also, the census is a tricky thing because there isn't just one third-party grading company with a census. That means calculating the actual number of graded books or high grade copies in the marketplace at any given time can't be accurately estimated through just one census. Food for thought!

Chaplin was too popular internationally, ...and he managed to avoid portraying Hitler as a total slapstick buffoon, but rather as a deluded malevolent force. Most of Chaplain's humor was turned toward himself, as the little tailor mistaken for the dictator. At least that's how I interpreted the role.

graveyard to tomb ever it concerns...

No doubt Hitler's supporters and devoted followers didn't take too kindly to Cap #2 either. Not content with Jack Kirby landing one punch Joe Simon made sure Der Fuehrer got seconds... Bund rallies are a sad part of our history. At one point Hitler had a sizable minority of misguided Americans brainwashed. Fortunately, we've matured well beyond that.

body pressed blonde to bawdily impressive blonde...

The depth and dynamic tension Alex obtained in those B&W illos is breathtaking. There were very few illustrators who put that much into the work. His pulp interiors deserve a lot more attention; I doubt there's a complete checklist. Thanks for sharing!

Hitler probably wasn't a big fan of this...

"7.5 hell, ...I'd crank it all the way up to 11!" Acid test: CGC's grading may reflect testing for low pH values (...Promise Hangover). Allentown AND a Pay Copy. ...Sorry, blame it on the ale! ...

I was able to use it in a sentence though... "Hey, bub, that book shoulda been a 7.5!"

Head dress to head-less...

train flying without tracks to derailed freight trains and cargo ships being Torched...

Deacon and Mickey inside to Mickey Spillane text story inside...

delivery of punch to Stormy having a fling...

You could get sewer'd for an allegation like that!

Shot in the back by a blonde to shot in the front by a brunette...

At least HA has moved in recent years from multi story tower to a ground level warehouse complex. I'm sure CGC will have their best surgeons on call to perform the operation. Giving this a bit more thought though, in a rare situation like this I'd think winning bidders would be provided more specifics, like a description/photo of the actual damage along with options.