Comics Juvenile Delinquency related and Early Comic History

[archiefan]

I'm selling the following items related to early comics history and the mid 1950s Juvenile Delinquency comics scare. These are all SCARCE to RARE (especially in private hands):

 

William Moulton Marston, "Why 100,000,000 Americans Read Comics."

Offprint (a special printing of just this article as issued) from The American Scholar, Vol. 13, No. 1 (Winter 1943-44). 12pp in

a printed wrapper reproducing cover of the issue plus a biographical statement

about Marston, the psychologist who created Wonder Woman.

This offprint was specially printed for separate distribution. The article

includes two illustrations of Wonder Woman by Harry Peter and also mentions

EC Comics founder M. C. Gaines several times (even encouraging readers to

write him at 225 Lafayette Street in a footnote). A very nice, Near Fine

copy, the only significant issue being a penciled checkmark next to the

author's name on front cover. $450.

 

 

"Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency" (84th Congress, 1st Session, Report

No. 62: March 14, 1955). 8vo, iv+50pp (self-covered). The official report of

the Senate Kefauver Committee hearing into comic books. Includes synopses of

several horror-comic stories (include two published by EC); mention of William

M. Gaines and the "Are You a Red Dupe?" ad; position of Frederic Wertham;

directory of comic book publishers; etc. Written in a governmental tone but

contains a lot of information, and it is a rare critical document of this

watershed event in comics history. A copy was auctioned at Heritage for $661 in early 2006 and this is in much better condition. $550

 

 

"Censorship of Comic Books: A Statement in Opposition on Civil Liberties

Grounds" (ACLU, May 1955). 8vo, 16pp (self-cover). A pamphlet opposing the

Senate findings and arguing against comics censorship; includes two short

extracts from Wertham writings. Near Fine; back cover has a small closed tear

that has been mended with paper tape. A copy was auctioned at heritage for $517 in early 2006 and this is in much better condition. Rare. $550

 

 

"City Manager Report No. 320" (Berkeley, CA: October 6, 1955). 4to, 14pp

(mimeographed one-side). An EXTREMELY RARE city report from the comics

censorship era, begins with an account of a September 13, 1955 meeting at

which a council member was given a copy of "The Vault of Horror," prompting

this report of comics regulation (they end up concluding that the problem has

already been sufficiently resolved that they do not have to take action). The

Code of the Comics Magazine Association of America is included as a

supplement. VG, has horizontal creases from having been folded into two and

into three at different times. $700

 

 

"How to Make Money Writing for Comics Magazines" (includes 1943 Captain Marvel comic --script plus MLJ Steel Sterling --script and artwork)

Author: Kanigher, Robert (author) Captain Marvel, Steel Sterling, Irv Novick (artist)

Publisher: New York: Cambridge House Book

Description: 8vo, 96pp, printed wrappers. This, the first book ever

published (1943) on writing for comic books, was written by prolific comic book writer

Robert Kanigher (co-creator of Sgt. Rock), and provides an excellent resource

for understanding the construction of comics stories at that time.

Includes an analysis of the medium, a sample Captain Marvel --script and a sample

Steel Sterling story with finished pages (art by Irv Novick) and --script on

facing pages Sorry - don't have a picture of this one but it is a BEAUTIFUL copy. $300

 

 

PM me with any questions

 

 

[Mr 9.8]

Love to have these pieces of history, but I'm afraid that's too rich for my blood.

[comicparadox]

If you haven't already, contact Zaid (esquirecomics). This stuff is right in his wheelhouse.

[archiefan]

Thanks. Might be willing to work out a GA trade as well.

[eccomic]

Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency" (84th Congress, 1st Session, Report

No. 62: March 14, 1955).

 

 

pending PM

[archiefan]

Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency" (84th Congress, 1st Session, Report

No. 62: March 14, 1955).

 

 

pending PM

 

Deal

[Annihilus]

Wow, really, really cool stuff here! Especially the interim report that eccomic just snagged.

[archiefan]

Thanks very much - I'm sure he will be pleased with it (thumbs u

[esquirecomics]

If you haven't already, contact Zaid (esquirecomics). This stuff is right in his wheelhouse.

 

Thanks for thinking of me CP!

[esquirecomics]

Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency" (84th Congress, 1st Session, Report

No. 62: March 14, 1955).

 

 

pending PM

 

Deal

 

Glad you guys worked this out!! I know EC was really interested in the piece.

 

[archiefan]

Mark..PM me if you are still interested in the rest.

 

Scott

[eccomic]

Thanks Mark. (thumbs u