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Letters to the Editor
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Started by Bluetooth-migration,

67 posts in this topic

Bluetooth-migration

Bluetooth-migration

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I've often wondered if I have wasted a lot of time and money over the years collecting comic books. Do real people actually consider them important? I've wondered why I am still pursuing what was essentially a childhood pastime, only now many years later those 'silver age' books are expensive.

I sometimes think I may be weird. After all the first thing I do when I get a back issue I've been chasing, is smell it.

Yes, I love the smell of comic books in the morning.

I catalog my books in such an OCD fashion, its too embarrassing to repeat here.Finally they go in a queue, to be read, then when read, they get stacked away with all the others in a cupboard.

One of the fascinating things for me about them is they are in effect historical documents. There are many references within their pages to world events of the time. A great window on the past is the letters to the Editors. Many of these are of course nonsense, but some are truly wonderful for lots of reasons. There are letters which comment on events of the time, there are those from people I've come to know in later life, there are letters from people who have gone on to be celebrities within the comic industry and beyond.

And there are those that are simply awesome indictments of what it means to be a human being in this world.

I have a huge interest in these letters and would like to share some with you. It would be great if people could maybe also show some letters here that appeal to them. This first couple of letters return to my point about whether comic books are important to people.

They obviously are. These two letters are powerful and poignant.

I have reprinted them here, as is with no alterations.

 

The first letter comes from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 50. Cover date of July 1967, actual On-sale date was 11th April 1967.

 

LETTER # 1.

 

Dear Stan and John,

I thought I had left comic books somewhere in my past, but once again, I find myself reading them. It would surprise (shock!) many people back in the states to learn that so many service men read them. Especially, the Marvel Comics Group which is sold in every P.X. I've been in over here. And it always makes us mad to miss an issue!

We don't have much time for reading here in Viet Nam although we usually are able to squeeze in enough time to read your Marvels. Spider-Man is by far, my favorite, although all of your super-heroes are really something. We sure could use them over here, but I guess we'll just have to rely on our own "talents". It may be a coincidence, but we think of ourselves as "junior super-heroes".

If you get a chance, send one over here to give us a hand! But, to be serious for a second, thanks a lot for providing a lot of us with some good action packed reading material. We really enjoy your series. They, like letters from home, help take our minds out of Viet Nam for a while.

 

Cpl. Leonard R. St.Clair, 2164081 USMC, "I" Co.

3rd Bn., 1st Mar.Div

FPO, San Francisco, Cal 96602

 

 

Editor's reply (StanLee)

 

In that case, Len, even if they serve no other purpose, we'll still keep turning 'em out to the best of our agonizin' ability! Unfortunately , we can't actually send any of our costumed characters to the field of battle, but we can always do the next best thing-so watch for the first ish of the complimentary subscription which we're winging your way, with our sincerest best wishes to you and your battle-honed buddies. May you all successfully and safely complete your tour of duty, and soon be able to latch onto your favorite mags merely by walking to the corner newsstand.

 

The second letter comes from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 53. Cover date of October 1967, actual On-sale date was 11th July 1967.

 

 

LETTER # 2.

 

(Message from Editor, Stan Lee appeared in a box above the letter)

 

NOTE; We recently received a letter which affected us all very deeply. We are printing it, in its entirety, with no comment-save one-

 

Dear Stan,

Since all of us in the headquarters section of India Company are Spider-Man fans, we regret to inform you that Corporal St.Clair, whose letter will be printed in SPIDER-MAN #50, was killed in action on 28 February, 1967. He was a squad leader in our 3rd Platoon when his patrol was ambushed southwest of Da Nang. Your comic SPIDER-MAN is the most sought after piece of literature and art work in this company. Keep up the good work; you're a real morale booster.

 

India Company 3/1 3rd B., 1st Mar.

1st Marine Div. (REIN) FMF, FPO

San Francisco, Cal 96602

 

Editor's reply (StanLee)

 

God rest you, soldier.

And God bless you all

 

(Another message from Editor, Stan Lee appeared in a box below the letter)

 

As a mark of respect to Corporal St.Clair, and all others who have given the last measure of devotion for their country, we are omitting our usual "coming attractions" paragraph this issue. We prefer, instead, to express the fervent hope that the day will come when men in every land will walk together in peace and brotherhood.

***************************************************************************

 

:sorry:

 

 

Since I stumbled across these two letters, they had a deep effect on me. Even though they are from comic books published 45 years ago, their impact was profound.

Corporal St.Clair's letter put me in mind of the film, "Dear America: Letters home from Vietnam", which I have always found an intensely moving piece of film. All war is horrific, but I thought the Vietnam war was arguably more horrific than most, for scores of reasons.

After reading these letters I felt compelled to find out more, and here are the facts for those who are interested in such things.

 

CPL. LEONARD RAY SAINT CLAIR (Marvel/Spider-Man fan)

 

Today Leonard would be approaching his 66th birthday.

 

He was born on July 8, 1946 in Beaumont, Texas.

He had one years service in the Marines and was involved in many operations/battles. The last being in Quang Ngai province between 1st-9th February 1967.

He was actually killed on February 26th (not 28th as stated in Letter #2) 1967.

He was shot by a sniper, whilst on patrol, (small arms fire) and died instantly in Quang Nam province, South Vietnam. His body was recovered.

 

He was described as a fine young man with a bright future. He seemed to be well liked and respected, with an infectious smile.

His name stands proudly on the Wall of Honor alongside other Marines he fought and died with.

He was 20 years old.

 

 

golbeckmco.jpg

 

Mike 3/5 2nd Platoon, taken in Okinawa

Leonard Saint Clair is in the 2nd row from the bottom, sixth from the left

 

 

 

 

stclaircac.jpg

 

 

Marine Corps Birthday November 10, 1966, front row middle.

 

 

stclair2.jpg

 

 

far right

 

 

stclair.jpg

 

 

The above photo was taken Aug. '66 on Hill 49 outside Chu Lai. Cpl. St. Clair is standing near his bunker holding a mess tray with a hole delivered by a sniper.

 

 

stclairnews2.jpg

 

 

stclairnews.jpg

 

 

 

SEMPER FI

 

R.I.P

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Comicopolis

Comicopolis

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Great thread :applause:

 

When going through my comics now to grade them it is always the letters pages that distract me away from what I'm supposed to be doing.

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steveinthecity

steveinthecity

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From my earliest days of reading Marvel & DC I always looked forward to the letters pages as this was how I knew there were others with a similar passion for the characters and stories. I felt a peculiar connection to those who had letters published previously as they seemed, at least to me, to be the more serious collectors. Some years later I learned of T.M. Maple's passing in a comic book and was deeply saddened as his letters contributed to my enjoyment of comic books.

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Bluetooth-migration

Bluetooth-migration

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From my earliest days of reading Marvel & DC I always looked forward to the letters pages as this was how I knew there were others with a similar passion for the characters and stories. I felt a peculiar connection to those who had letters published previously as they seemed, at least to me, to be the more serious collectors. Some years later I learned of T.M. Maple's passing in a comic book and was deeply saddened as his letters contributed to my enjoyment of comic books.

 

I hope to include a few of Jim Burke's letters aka 'The Mad Maple' in the future if possible.

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Bluetooth-migration

Bluetooth-migration

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Men like Cpl. St.Clair won't be forgotten.

 

I agree. Makes me proud just to be part of a tribute, in some small way.

 

**********************************************************************************

 

Very interesting story on your early collecting days by the way, and all too familiar. Thanks for sharing. :applause:

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peewee22

peewee22

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I've often wondered if I have wasted a lot of time and money over the years collecting comic books. Do real people actually consider them important? I've wondered why I am still pursuing what was essentially a childhood pastime, only now many years later those 'silver age' books are expensive.

I sometimes think I may be weird. After all the first thing I do when I get a back issue I've been chasing, is smell it.

Yes, I love the smell of comic books in the morning.

I catalog my books in such an OCD fashion, its too embarrassing to repeat here.Finally they go in a queue, to be read, then when read, they get stacked away with all the others in a cupboard.

One of the fascinating things for me about them is they are in effect historical documents. There are many references within their pages to world events of the time. A great window on the past is the letters to the Editors. Many of these are of course nonsense, but some are truly wonderful for lots of reasons. There are letters which comment on events of the time, there are those from people I've come to know in later life, there are letters from people who have gone on to be celebrities within the comic industry and beyond.

And there are those that are simply awesome indictments of what it means to be a human being in this world.

I have a huge interest in these letters and would like to share some with you. It would be great if people could maybe also show some letters here that appeal to them. This first couple of letters return to my point about whether comic books are important to people.

They obviously are. These two letters are powerful and poignant.

I have reprinted them here, as is with no alterations.

 

The first letter comes from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 50. Cover date of July 1967, actual On-sale date was 11th April 1967.

 

LETTER # 1.

 

Dear Stan and John,

I thought I had left comic books somewhere in my past, but once again, I find myself reading them. It would surprise (shock!) many people back in the states to learn that so many service men read them. Especially, the Marvel Comics Group which is sold in every P.X. I've been in over here. And it always makes us mad to miss an issue!

We don't have much time for reading here in Viet Nam although we usually are able to squeeze in enough time to read your Marvels. Spider-Man is by far, my favorite, although all of your super-heroes are really something. We sure could use them over here, but I guess we'll just have to rely on our own "talents". It may be a coincidence, but we think of ourselves as "junior super-heroes".

If you get a chance, send one over here to give us a hand! But, to be serious for a second, thanks a lot for providing a lot of us with some good action packed reading material. We really enjoy your series. They, like letters from home, help take our minds out of Viet Nam for a while.

 

Cpl. Leonard R. St.Clair, 2164081 USMC, "I" Co.

3rd Bn., 1st Mar.Div

FPO, San Francisco, Cal 96602

 

 

Editor's reply (StanLee)

 

In that case, Len, even if they serve no other purpose, we'll still keep turning 'em out to the best of our agonizin' ability! Unfortunately , we can't actually send any of our costumed characters to the field of battle, but we can always do the next best thing-so watch for the first ish of the complimentary subscription which we're winging your way, with our sincerest best wishes to you and your battle-honed buddies. May you all successfully and safely complete your tour of duty, and soon be able to latch onto your favorite mags merely by walking to the corner newsstand.

 

The second letter comes from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 53. Cover date of October 1967, actual On-sale date was 11th July 1967.

 

 

LETTER # 2.

 

(Message from Editor, Stan Lee appeared in a box above the letter)

 

NOTE; We recently received a letter which affected us all very deeply. We are printing it, in its entirety, with no comment-save one-

 

Dear Stan,

Since all of us in the headquarters section of India Company are Spider-Man fans, we regret to inform you that Corporal St.Clair, whose letter will be printed in SPIDER-MAN #50, was killed in action on 28 February, 1967. He was a squad leader in our 3rd Platoon when his patrol was ambushed southwest of Da Nang. Your comic SPIDER-MAN is the most sought after piece of literature and art work in this company. Keep up the good work; you're a real morale booster.

 

India Company 3/1 3rd B., 1st Mar.

1st Marine Div. (REIN) FMF, FPO

San Francisco, Cal 96602

 

Editor's reply (StanLee)

 

God rest you, soldier.

And God bless you all

 

(Another message from Editor, Stan Lee appeared in a box below the letter)

 

As a mark of respect to Corporal St.Clair, and all others who have given the last measure of devotion for their country, we are omitting our usual "coming attractions" paragraph this issue. We prefer, instead, to express the fervent hope that the day will come when men in every land will walk together in peace and brotherhood.

***************************************************************************

 

:sorry:

 

 

One of the best posts I have ever seen on the Boards. And being a Spidey lover, it means alot to me and others.

 

I wrote Stan Lee a personal letter in the 80s and he did respond to me. (thumbs u

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thehumantorch

thehumantorch

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Kudos for starting this thread, Bluetooth - I sense you may become the BangZoom of Comics General.

 

I don't know what that means but I sense its a good thing (I hope).

Thank you all for the welcome. Its gratifying that people seem to be enjoying it.

:foryou:

 

Bangzoom, board member with a great collection and an endless, amazing thread.

 

http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1628473

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Underground44

Underground44

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Posted
Kudos for starting this thread, Bluetooth - I sense you may become the BangZoom of Comics General.

 

I don't know what that means but I sense its a good thing (I hope).

Thank you all for the welcome. Its gratifying that people seem to be enjoying it.

:foryou:

 

Bangzoom, board member with a great collection and an endless, amazing thread.

 

http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1628473

 

Man.... He has some crazy awesome books. I haven't looked at all 1,550 pages of the thread but there's some impressive stuff in there.

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Bluetooth-migration

Bluetooth-migration

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Kudos for starting this thread, Bluetooth - I sense you may become the BangZoom of Comics General.

 

I don't know what that means but I sense its a good thing (I hope).

Thank you all for the welcome. Its gratifying that people seem to be enjoying it.

:foryou:

 

Bangzoom, board member with a great collection and an endless, amazing thread.

 

http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1628473

 

Many Thanks for that.

That is one mother of a thread which I can't compete with. My entire collection, though decent-ish would not be able to sustain a thread of that size. Such amazing GA stuff which I don't collect much. (regrettably after seeing that stuff).

 

I'm hoping this letters thread has some legs, I'll try to keep it interesting and of course any/all contributions are welcome. There must be a vast amount of great letters out there in comicdom that I have no knowledge of, obviously.

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sacentaur

sacentaur

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Posted

Blue, I wasn't referring to a comparison to the enormity of BangZoom's collection, but to the even more interesting (to me at least) plethora of little nuggets he mines in order to open up new thngs and to explore new paths in the hobby.

 

This thread has done that. Kudos.

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Bluetooth-migration

Bluetooth-migration

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Blue, I wasn't referring to a comparison to the enormity of BangZoom's collection, but to the even more interesting (to me at least) plethora of little nuggets he mines in order to open up new thngs and to explore new paths in the hobby.

 

This thread has done that. Kudos.

 

thanks again :)

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