Frisco Larson

It seems that in unrestored, complete condition, even numbers are all I've been able to acquire since I sold off my original stash in the late 90s.

I was wide-eyed for sure when the lid came off that box! I was SO lucky that he stuck these aside for himself to enjoy, because he would occasionally set up as a dealer! When we started wheeling and dealing, he knew I was a Timely, Atlas, Marvel guy who was just grabbing up whatever Timely & Atlas superhero I could find. It was very fortuitous for me that we had gotten together to swap some books!

Thank you so much! I'm happy that there are others who can appreciate what these are. Being a HUGE Bill Everett fan, it was the first time I'd seen these issues with interior colors and inks looking so newsstand fresh! Some of Everett's BEST art came out in the 50s, in my opinion.

That's all that I had a chance to get pics of today. I'll likely photograph the entire collection, featuring splash pages from each story. Even if this collection doesn't get much interest, it might be fun for some to see the interiors. Thanks to all who take a look!

Young Men 27

Young Men 24

Sometime in the mid 90s, I acquired a small stack of comics that were all from the Atlas Superhero revival era, from a local collector friend. There were other publishers present from that era, but the Atlas Comics were the only ones I was interested in. As I recall the details he told me of his purchase of this peculiar collection, I remember him saying he basically got them as the original owner had left them packed away, shortly after receiving them from his father, who just so happened to own a grocery store. After getting the comics from his father, the youngster read each of them once, then put them in a box with paper leafed between each comic. When one box was full, he started another. Now my memory isn't 100% clear on how exactly my friend obtained them, but I seem to recall him saying he got them from that original owner sometime in the early 80s. I don't know (and NEVER knew) what state the collection came from, the name of the family or even the grocery store, but over the last 25+ years, I have kept all of the books together, not selling a single one of them. The books are: Captain America 76, 77, & 78, Human Torch 36, 37 & 38, Men's Adventures 28, Sub-Mariner 33 & 34 and Young Men 24, 26, 27 & 28! For reasons unknown, the boy only got the two issues of Subby, which most Atlas collectors know lasted over a year longer than any other revival title. Besides those last 8 Subby issues, the boy was only missing Men's Adventures 27 and Young Men 25. One might conclude then that he enjoyed the Atlas Comics. For nearly two decades I had no name for this collection ... until one day I pulled them out and the name just came out of the box with the comics: The Thrifty Grocer Collection. Now I bet that sounds a bit odd, but there IS a reason for it! You see, the grocer seemed very willing to let his boy read comic books ... he even provided the boy with a seemingly tremendous supply of them ... with one small stipulation ... that his dad would remove the covers of each comic and send them back for credit! That's right, the Thrifty Grocer Collection is all basically High Grade, Unread ... Coverless copies! Make no mistake though, I was VERY pleased to be able to obtain them! At that point in the mid 90s I seldom saw those books (pre internet) and when I did, they were usually raggedy and chippity. THESE book were like new .... but without covers, so it was kinda weird, yet extremely fresh in hand. I just snapped a few pics of two issues, in artificial light, so not the best. Maybe I'll redo them later, but for now, I'll start with the issue that started the Atlas Superhero revival, Young Men 24!

@buttock That's fantastic!!!

Skeletal remains to same.

Thanks! I was surprised when I found it! I didn't know he'd done such things.

Hanging to ... hanging?

Thanks! It IS very clean and fresh in condition! I was very lucky to see it when I did or certainly someone else would've snagged it for sure! Al Avison superhero artwork isn't something I've had many chances at buying. I think a lot of that stuff changes hands privately and the rest of us never even get a shot at it.

Woman currently on horse to same.

@sagii posting those sweet Speed issues reminded me that I have a few that I have artwork for. At the end of the run, it's a bit easier to find nicer copies. The art is an Al Avison half page house ad featuring Captain Freedom. The Speed logo paste up was already gone by the time the art reached me.

I was looking thru a few books today and was surprised by how much The Batman had changed in just the first year! Pics in order from Action #12, cover of Detective #32 and last Batman story page of Detective #36. I don't think I'd ever done a side-by-side comparison before.

6 on a sled to 3 on a steed.

Since this is the only L.B. Cole thread I know of, I'll post this here. This has no date anywhere on it. Interior clues: 1. It has two flag depictions, one appears to have 49 stars, one has 50. 2. Pluto is still considered a planet!

Ok, this showed up today, so I just snapped a quick pic. Not the best but not as blurry. The colors may have faded slightly in shipping.

Thanks pal! I actually have a few more from that issue as well, I just need to snap some pics.

3-way gun fire to 3-way high wire.

@sagii I know what you mean about taking whatever copies you can get! This well-loved copy was needed as I have original art to this issue.

@sagii Congratulations on your obtaining that beautiful pair of rare Speeds and on your 10,000th post!!! You're a boardie who always has cool books and kind comments for others!!!

Agreed and Leon did a splendid job on your copy as well. Heavily populated cover to same.

NBE #1 to NBE #10

Spidey #38 to FF #38