Personal achievements, art, book recommendations, other non-comic or pulp magazine collectibles, divestment, reinvesting, etc... 2 2

[Cat-Man_America]

This is that other thread I mentioned in the best of 2021 thread.  This thread is for non-comics related collectibles, including art, lithos, personal achievements or goals, other magazine collectibles outside of pulps, investing, divesting and refocused interest. Personal achievements might include showing off your own artistic or literary accomplishment(s) or those which you've collected (first editions, signed works, etc.).  In other words this is a potpourri or smorgasbord style thread for interests that extend beyond comics which you feel comfortable sharing with others.  Since this thread may end up covering a lot of turf, I'll start if off with several totally random things, first, pen/ink/color art and a painting (my work), followed by an issue of Modern Mechanix (cover art by George Rozen) and a finally a rare movie magazine from 1915 in unusually nice condition.  Note: In addition to illustrations & paintings you may be exposed to some of my literary efforts (you've been warned), but now it's your turn!

[Cat-Man_America]

I can certainly post more examples of my own work, and will...

Also, collected pieces that I don't recall displaying in Gold before, such as this LoTR ltd. ed. bronze...

 

...but I'm waiting for others to queue up!

(Flex Mentallo, that's your cue)! 

 

[Timely]

How’s this for a bit unusual, even Looney perhaps!

Cover art by Joe Staton, Tom Palmer and Mike DeCarlo.

[Cat-Man_America]

On 12/11/2021 at 6:45 AM, Timely said:

How’s this for a bit unusual, even Looney perhaps!

Cover art by Joe Staton, Tom Palmer and Mike DeCarlo.

That's excellent, West.  

(I miss those super-sized mug clinks in the Emoji)

[Flex Mentallo]

On 12/11/2021 at 4:54 AM, Cat-Man_America said:

(Flex Mentallo, that's your cue)! 

Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots, facsimile of 1832 edition, 42 colour plates, publisher's burgundy half morocco by A.W. Lumsden, spine gilt, Printed at the Curwen Press for Pion Limited, 1978

 

Edward Lear began his career as a zoological illustrator, illustrating the parrots in the Parrot House at London Zoo. During Lear's time, live parrots were rare and much sought-after, bought and sold for large sums by wealthy amateurs of natural history, and prized by 19th century European aristocracy for their astonishing plumage and mimicry of the human voice. The first plates for the book were issued in 1830 when he was still only 18. It was an amazing achievement, the book being a self-published, large, folio volume containing 42 detailed, hand-coloured plates. Only 175 copies were published. It was the first British publication on the subject of a single family of birds. He used lithography then a new technique, resulting in prints which looked almost like watercolours, with softer lines compared to earlier prints using engraving techniques.. Although the book was a financial failure, Lear's paintings of parrots established his reputation as one of the best natural history artists of his time. Almost two hundred years later, it is still considered one of the greatest books of its kind.

 

NB these illos are sourced from the internet rather than my copy.

Edited December 12, 2021 by Flex Mentallo

[Flex Mentallo]

A first edition now sells for well in excess of $100,000, even in relatively low condition.

[Flex Mentallo]

Beautiful antique volumes of bird illustrations are now among the most valuable books in the world, sometimes selling for millions of pounds.

[Tri-Color Brian]

Well, I ain't got no rare bird books...but a couple years ago I did get a dang good pic of a Wilson's Snipe in Nebraska...

 

[Cat-Man_America]

I don't have any bird illustrations, but falconry did inspire this dragon composition...

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

Love your work, Cat

[Flex Mentallo]

On 12/12/2021 at 1:49 AM, Tri-ColorBrian said:

Well, I ain't got no rare bird books...but a couple years ago I did get a dang good pic of a Wilson's Snipe in Nebraska...

 

Great shot!

[batman_fan]

Some of the non-comic stuff I collect

Topps Mars Attacks gum cards.  I blame Mr Bedrock for this.  He showed me some cards back in the late 1980s when he was living in Albuquerque.  I wish I had started buying them back then !

I also keep flat nosed dogs.  The snorting does wake me up that often and the have a lot of personality.  The Boston Terrier is the newest addition to the family. 

[Flex Mentallo]

On 12/12/2021 at 5:37 PM, batman_fan said:

Some of the non-comic stuff I collect

Topps Mars Attacks gum cards.  I blame Mr Bedrock for this.  He showed me some cards back in the late 1980s when he was living in Albuquerque.  I wish I had started buying them back then !

I also keep flat nosed dogs.  The snorting does wake me up that often and the have a lot of personality.  The Boston Terrier is the newest addition to the family. 

Love Mars Attacks. Collected it twice as a kid. Now I have only the facsimile set, and the recent book.

[Pat Calhoun]

couple of 2-1/2" dragons: old Japanese antler netsuke and modern Chinese sterling silver (netsuke is 1850-ish, and the wizard usually keeps his dragon in the bowl...)

Edited December 12, 2021 by Pat Calhoun

[Pat Calhoun]

[Flex Mentallo]

On 12/12/2021 at 5:37 PM, batman_fan said:

 I blame Mr Bedrock for this.

I blame Mr Bedrock for everything.

[AJD]

I built (and painted) some models I'm pretty happy with this year. Here are some of the more exotic ones.

[Tri-Color Brian]

On 12/13/2021 at 5:34 AM, AJD said:

I built (and painted) some models I'm pretty happy with this year. Here are some of the more exotic ones.

My dad was into model airplanes and train sets.  I inherited his model airplane magazines, which he had written my name on...here's 3 of them...

 

Edited December 13, 2021 by Tri-ColorBrian

[Cat-Man_America]

One of my dragon paintings, titled Sibs (acrylic, with digital retouch; the original was sold long ago)...

USS Oregon, early battleship participating in the Spanish-American War (museum quality replica)...

 

 

[Cat-Man_America]

On 12/12/2021 at 5:47 PM, Pat Calhoun said:

All awesome, Pat!