Cat-Man_America

That's Carl Barks. Nice pics! Why's he holding a bong, and what's in that bag on the chair next to him? If that was JoeBob Williams standing in back it might explain a lot. Seriously, I think that's either a classic european pipe or a some kind of gun (toy or real), not a bong. The contents of the bag is anyone's guess.

Duncan Renaldo (film and television's Cisco Kid) signing autographs for fans at a convention in Dallas (1974)... Producer/Director George Pal at the same convention addressing a packed audience and providing a rare glimpse into his upcoming "blockbuster" film Doc Savage... Former Olympic star, actor and swimming pool salesman Buster Crabbe, also from the '74 Dallas Convention, captivating an audience with his anecdotal exploits in the movies, serials and television...

Old friend and fellow member of the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans (OAF), John Wooley (author of a number of books on pulps and his own series of mystery novels and still attends the Windy City Pulp & Paper Con), here sharing a cold Bud with someone during one of the quieter moments in the dealer's room (notice the GA books taped to the wall to his right)...

Nice Frazetta in the background. Would that have been the original or a poster? The way its set up sure makes it look like an original. And check out that ash tray on the table in front of him. Smoking on the convention floor My how times have changed I believe it is an original; if you look closely at the flash glare you can see the impression of the canvas stretchers. Yeah, cons were smokier back then. *cough* ... *cough*

My last entry for the evening is a photo of a dealer; I'm not sure on this one (maybe Bruce Hamilton?). It's from a mid-70's Houstoncon if I'm not mistaken.

My old friend and Tales of Texas publisher Bob Wayne with his first wife. You can tell he was already planning ahead for when he'd be a Senior Marketing VP at DC; he's already rebooting the heroes in his own image! One of my fondest memories of Bob was when I was in Dallas for a visit (my home was in Okla. at the time) we caught CSN&Y on their '74 tour in the Cowboy's stadium!

Here's one where some guessing is involved. On the right is Robert A. Brown, in the middle I'm not quite sure (maybe Joe Bob Williams?) and on the left, again I'm not sure, but I think it may be Carl Barks, one of the featured guests of Multicon in OKC, where I took this one...

Artist and professor of philosophy Kenneth Smith (mid 70's; convention unknown) He does look a bit professorial doesn't he?

Before I start this thread I must apologize to AdamStrange for not posting this material in his thread. I've been working on this for over a week, locating aging photographs, scanning and correcting the color as best I can and preparing something that I was hoping would be both a personal and shared experience. This isn't about kings or princes, but glimpses of where we've come from as collectors, dealers and fans in general. I have no clue as to how to organize things in any retrospective order as many of the dates and locations are not clear. What is clear to me, however, is that I don't want this to be merely a soapbox for my history. As I'm sharing photographs, art, autographed programs and fan memorabilia, I'd hope that others will post some of their memories too, whether images or interesting anecdotes. With that, I'll start with one of the silliest least consequential fan photographs I've unearthed, taken by me of a group of happy fans in an elevator. I don't personally know any of the folks here, but maybe someone will recognize a friend (1974; either Dallas or Houstoncon)...

Nice!

Those are real beauties, Billy. But, ...but, second string? ... special tier? No way! Timely books don't need no stinkin' badges! OK, so maybe I'm delusional, but IMO all Timely superhero books are worthy of first tier canonization.

Congrats from a fellow Timely fan! That Daring presents very well. Looks much better than 7.0 in your scan; awesome Schomburg cover, too! (thumbs u

That's a beaut! (thumbs u

A great artist and a truly nice guy. One of the finest artists I've ever met and had the privilege of friendship.

As an artist and collector of art all I can say is that's BEAUTIFUL.

No that's a killer cover.

Dear Gator, I recently bought a restored copy of Mystic #5; now I learn that it may only be useful as toilet paper. Should I a) send it to CGC for slabbing and hope for the best or b) roll it up and keep it in the storage closet for an unforeseen emergency?

That is one sweet looking copy (thumbs u off-white to white pages is nothing to sneeze at either NICE! Blinding color, too; no wonder the enemy was wearing shades!

as punch 1? as punch 10? Nice books, Billy! Some great cover art, too; Cheslers are under-appreciated, IMO.

My kinda book (thumbs u Mine too!

Your friend has good taste; ...especially that blue ribbon 9.2 graded doozy!

Very nice copy (looks about a 7.5 or 8.0 from the scan). (thumbs u

Impressive group, feller! (thumbs u

That's real nice. (thumbs u

Congratulations!!! The registration (often off on early Silver Streaks for some reason) looks perfect on that Church copy. Good snag! (thumbs u