Centaur Comics 19 19

[adamstrange]

Now THIS one, unlike Cocomalt, is a pretty darn tough book. Probably the most obscure Bill Everett comic cover.

 

 

"Uncle Joe" was the name Centaur editor Joe Hardie used in his letters to the kid readers typically on the inside front cover of many Centaur issues. This book has the proportions of a typical comic book but is smaller.

 

That is most definitely the mostest obscure Bill Everett cover, ever!

[Moondog]

Here's my copy:

 

 

It's really a tremendous book. Lots of good, short features by all the classic Centaur artists, plus recurring guest appearances by Joe Penner. Scrooge would love it. Lots of google-worthy stuff.

 

However, I'm pretty positive it's not as scarce as Gerber makes it out to be. I've seen 3 copies for sale since I got mine a few years back.

 

I sold one last spring. Fair/Good copy.

[Blind Owl]

Centaurman that is one beautiful comic. I think you should get together with Jon Berk,SACentaur & Tec27 and put out a guide book to Centaur comics.

 

It doesn't have to be one of those elaborate type books like Gerber or the new Ritter pedigree book, but just a small reference guide for the Centaur collector. Info about artists, writers, scarcity index, and more. I'm trying to something similar for my own personal use just so I can have info on hand when I want to look something up. But you guys are the real experts here and it could be a handy item to have for more novice collectors. I mean it's only about 265 or so issues to reference. Just a thought.

[sacentaur]

That back cover looks incredibly white!!!

It's amazing!!!!

 

Glad you enjoyed it Mr. Owl...here's the front cover:

 

 

As the story goes, the book remained unread in its original mailer in a dresser drawer for almost seven decades until I recently obtained it from a collector in Canada.

[Blind Owl]

That's an incredible story. Beautiful book too: That cover really shines. Thanks for sharing that with us!!!

[Scrooge]

Here's my copy:

 

 

It's really a tremendous book. Lots of good, short features by all the classic Centaur artists, plus recurring guest appearances by Joe Penner. Scrooge would love it. Lots of google-worthy stuff.

 

However, I'm pretty positive it's not as scarce as Gerber makes it out to be. I've seen 3 copies for sale since I got mine a few years back.

 

Thanks for thinking of me CMan. I saw a copy in Chicago last weekend. This book hit right around the height of Penner's popularity in radio. Penner became popular during the depression years when his burlesque schtick would work to make people forget about their troubles. His routine emphasized repeated lines that audiences waited for to hear during each broadcasts, some who are still familiar to this day even though people forget Penner originated them: "Wanna buy a duck?", "Iz dat so?", "Don't ever dooooo that!" and "You nah-h-sty man!." As a result, his C.A.B. ratings in 1934 was 35.2, that is the second most popular show on the air and he was voted that same year the best comedian on radio. But he quickly faded away because unlike touring from town to town, on radio, comedians needed new jokes / material every broadcast and old jokes can carry you only for so long. By 1938, his ratings were down to 16.1 and fatally he died of a hear attack at age 36 in 1941. His premature death sadly ensured him being forgotten by popular culture despite his appeal in the late '30's. (All information taken from the wonderful book "Radio Comedy" by Arthur Wertheim. I have however never heard any of Penner's broadcast even though I have read a partial transcript from one.)

 

As for the Dan Hasting story, I thought I would share it with everyone -

[BangZoom]

Thanks for posting the Dan Hasting story.

 

His spaceship is certainly one of the more unique designs I've ever seen.

[sacentaur]

I just noticed that this Dan Hastings story has a Television in it...the Guide lists Marvel Mystery 3 (1/40) as ?1st appearance of television in comics?.

 

The Cocomalt is a comic book from 1938!

 

 

[BangZoom]

I just noticed that this Dan Hastings story has a Television in it...the Guide lists Marvel Mystery 3 (1/40) as ?1st appearance of television in comics?.

 

The Cocomalt is a comic book from 1938!

 

I recall that Professor Supermind in Popular comics frequently used a television (televisoscope) in his stories and that the Masked Marvel used one (called a televisor) as well.

 

 

[MrBedrock]

 

:o What a stunning mailer!!!!!!!!! :o

 

 

(BTW, Ms. Howland just signed on to the boards. She saw your post and she is hopping mad! She wants her book back!)

[BangZoom]

 

As the story goes, the book remained unread in its original mailer in a dresser drawer for almost seven decades until I recently obtained it from a collector in Canada.

 

This might be her obituary.

 

Ruth L. Howland

[Forbush-Man]

I just noticed that this Dan Hastings story has a Television in it...the Guide lists Marvel Mystery 3 (1/40) as ?1st appearance of television in comics?.

 

The Cocomalt is a comic book from 1938!

 

 

No! No! No!!! That's a "Spaceship Looky-Glass", not a "television".

 

Besides, I thought the cover to Captain America Comics #1 has the first "offical" television.

 

 

[Forbush-Man]

:o What a stunning mailer!!!!!!!!! :o

 

 

(BTW, Ms. Howland just signed on to the boards. She saw your post and she is hopping mad! She wants her book back!)

 

[G.A.tor]

hello all...

for anyone that wants to view some killer group shots of 90% of the Centaur publisher, keep your eyes peeled to the Stroll down Centaurman lane thread I just started here in the Gold section...will be a few days till I get to the "good" stuff, but trust me, it will be worth the nominal price of admission alone...

gator

[sacentaur]

 

As the story goes, the book remained unread in its original mailer in a dresser drawer for almost seven decades until I recently obtained it from a collector in Canada.

 

This might be her obituary.

 

Ruth L. Howland

 

That's amazing - circumstances do seem to fit. Thnx for finding that, BZ.

[jbcomicbox]

Star 2 and 5 and 6

[Blind Owl]

Whoa!!! So nice to see these books. Again these are books that I have rarely seen. I have NEVER seen them in person. they must be incredible to behold.

 

I just love the nice linedrawn style art of Ryan and Biro as well as Schwab.

It just looks so vintage.

 

Thanks a million for posting, and I also really enjoyed that Star Ranger original art. It's amazing that it has survived all these years!!!! That can be attributed to all the great collector's who without these items would have been lost forever!!!!!

 

God bless each and every one!!!!

[jbcomicbox]

In case you cannot tell, i am on vacation and have a new scanner that does not take years to post....so for a change of pace, before doing some more Stars (and I may switch over to Fox covers), here is my favorite AMF cover 1/3 and the Church copy of 1/4.....

 

 

Gotta love the run of AMF!!!

[BangZoom]

This is one of my favorite Amazing Mystery covers.

 

[BangZoom]

This is a wild looking cover.