Ditko Spiderman Pin-up on Comiclink 3 3

[grapeape]

Found the picture of the framed poster  and major props to the framer!!! 🍇 🦍 

[Unca Ben]

That.  is. gorgeous.

I think I'm going to cry …

Side note:  A pretty nice example of this poster is in an upcoming Heritage auction. 

 https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/poster/spider-man-door-poster-marvel-1966-/p/122413-44001.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

[glendgold]

Every time I think I've excavated all that there is, turns out there's just a little tiny bit more hiding in plain sight.

https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/mmms-spider-man-poster-production-materials-marvel-1966-total-2-items-/a/121619-12726.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

So this is the production art for the poster.  As per the listing, "This specific image was created from a 18" tall stat of the base art image that was then altered with original art shading, and white paint art corrections/alterations on his face." In B&W it looks like this, which I think gives more clues as to the poster's artist. I am reallly curious what was going on with those lips.

 

 

Edited March 4 by glendgold

[Unca Ben]

On 3/3/2024 at 5:27 PM, glendgold said:

Every time I think I've excavated all that there is, turns out there's just a little tiny bit more hiding in plain sight.

https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/mmms-spider-man-poster-production-materials-marvel-1966-total-2-items-/a/121619-12726.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

So this is the production art for the poster.  As per the listing, "This specific image was created from a 18" tall stat of the base art image that was then altered with original art shading, and white paint art corrections/alterations on his face." In B&W it looks like this, which I think gives more clues as to the poster's artist. I am reallly curious what was going on with those lips.

 

 

That would be the second poster.  The one that had an existing image that was "updated" like the other 7 MMMS posters.  It was about 3 feet tall, Half-size of the door poster, but I have seen a 6-foot door poster version of this.  I've attributed these reworked posters to Marie Severin.

Nice find!

 

 

I do still have the Hulk poster.  This poster also had  a couple of different printings.

Mine. The original.  I believe this was printed by itself, before the MMMs set.  (that's a guess)
In the detail pic, Notice the copyright on lower right corner (and the sticker from the place in New Orleans where I bought it)
 

 

Then there's the dayglo version:

 

Then there's another later printing by Personality posters.  Different copyright typeset than mine.
 

 

Edited March 4 by Unca Ben

[BLUECHIPCOLLECTIBLES]

On 2/17/2024 at 8:25 AM, Carlo M said:

Surprised this has not been brought up yet . This one must be truly impressive in person. Too early to provide estimates? 
 

https://www.comiclink.com/auctions/item.asp?back=%2FAUCTIONS%2FPREVIEW.ASP%3Fcode%3D2024may%26itemtype%3D1%23Item_1752106&id=1752106&itemType=1#detail

This looks like it may have been used (with some repo'd limbs) to make this poster.

 

 

[Wipple]

You guys made me go downstairs 

[BLUECHIPCOLLECTIBLES]

On 2/27/2024 at 9:09 AM, buttock said:

One thing supporting this is that his armpit webbing in the published version extends to his forearm.  That's not how it was intended to be, so if you bent the arm down after the original was drawn, it would end up there.  

Definitely can be classified as published

[BLUECHIPCOLLECTIBLES]

On 2/18/2024 at 9:38 AM, Kevn said:

Perhaps it was given away out of spite, given how the relationship between Lee and Ditko deteriorated at the end. It didn't directly hurt Ditko necessarily, since he'd likely already have been paid for the piece, and he likely wouldn't have even know what happened. Of course it did deny him the pleasure of seeing it published, and though Stan couldn't have known it at the time, it also denied Ditko the return of the art when Marvel finally started returning art.

Stan liked the image enough that he had a knitted version of the published poster in his office for many years. 

[BLUECHIPCOLLECTIBLES]

On 2/23/2024 at 5:23 PM, 1classics said:

yeah but not of the "era", which unfortunately from a collector / investment standpoint could make a massive difference...

The OG poster was printed in 1964 and advertised in the comics.  That seems to be of the era.

[Kevn]

The auction page now shows images of the entire artwork, out to the edges of the sheet. On the right side is written "5 1/2 FEET HIGH BM - MATTE" with arrows indicating just the image area of Spider-Man. At the bottom is written "SHEET SIZE 6'  Fig. 5 1/2' - leave 1" all around". With the research done here, I think that pretty much settles it. This is the image that was the basis for the 6' poster. CL seems to have updated the description with:

"An interesting note on the right side of the artwork says "5 1/2 FEET HIGH BM-MATTE". This indicates that perhaps in addition to the intention to be published as a Pin-up, this artwork was also intended to be used for the production of a large promotional display with a life-size Spider-Man figure. We are not aware of such a display ever being produced or exactly what it would have been used for in the 1960s."

I don't think that was there before. It's odd that they don't also mention what's written in the bottom margin, and that they seem to be unaware of this iconic poster. 

On a side note, I'm glad that the original listing didn't show the marginalia on the artwork. It's been fun following the excellent sleuthing members here have been doing. And the sellers should be throwing a party (while there may be a well-heeled collector or two who had similar suspicions and were hoping to buy this magnificent piece before it was widely realized that it had, indeed, been published.

[grapeape]

On 3/4/2024 at 12:23 AM, Kevn said:On the right side is written "5 1/2 FEET HIGH BM - MATTE" with arrows indicating just the image area of Spider-Man. At the bottom is written "SHEET SIZE 6'  Fig. 5 1/2' - leave 1" all around". 

Funny, because they must have come across the 6ft poster at some point. They can check out the one selling at HA that Unca Ben posted the link to
 

Edited March 4 by grapeape

[grapeape]

the 6ft Spidey poster  the 6ft Spidey poster  THE 6FT SPIDEY POSTER !!!!          ComicLink Comments: a large promotional display with a life-size Spider-Man figure. We are not aware of such a display ever being produced or exactly what it would have been used for in the 1960  it was at this point the consignee realized he ------ -- Update: Josh from ComicLink emailed me and wanted me to know that the consignor is very happy with his choice. They have updated the description as part of their review process.

Edited March 9 by grapeape

[stinkininkin]

On 3/3/2024 at 5:27 PM, glendgold said:

Every time I think I've excavated all that there is, turns out there's just a little tiny bit more hiding in plain sight.

https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/mmms-spider-man-poster-production-materials-marvel-1966-total-2-items-/a/121619-12726.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

So this is the production art for the poster.  As per the listing, "This specific image was created from a 18" tall stat of the base art image that was then altered with original art shading, and white paint art corrections/alterations on his face." In B&W it looks like this, which I think gives more clues as to the poster's artist. I am reallly curious what was going on with those lips.

 

 

Wow, the artistry and the inking is so much better on this version than the printed poster one being shown. The printed one looks amateurish to my eyes (both the contours and the inking), while this one is so much more professional (although that mouth and nose looks kind of off brand, but still a legitimate choice).

Edited March 4 by stinkininkin

[The Voord]

I just e-mailed Josh at C-link to inform him of the good news and to suggest he alters the description to reflect what it is he's actually auctioning-off.  He's just acknowledged my e-mail, so hopefully a more accurate description will follow.

[Latverian Tourism Board]

On 3/4/2024 at 11:56 AM, The Voord said:

I just e-mailed Josh at C-link to inform him of the good news and to suggest he alters the description to reflect what it is he's actually auctioning-off.  He's just acknowledged my e-mail, so hopefully a more accurate description will follow.

“I just e-mailed Josh at C-link to inform him of the good news and to suggest he alters the description to reflect what it is he's actually auctioning-off.  He's just acknowledged my e-mail, so hopefully a more accurate description will follow.”

I might as well just copy and paste yours, because I came to post the exact same thing. Heh. I think they are aware now.

[grapeape]

On 3/4/2024 at 9:00 AM, Latverian Tourism Board said:

“I just e-mailed Josh at C-link to inform him of the good news and to suggest he alters the description to reflect what it is he's actually auctioning-off.  He's just acknowledged my e-mail, so hopefully a more accurate description will follow.”

I might as well just copy and paste yours, because I came to post the exact same thing. Heh. I think they are aware now.

 UPDATE:   There is strong evidence that in 1966, this artwork was reworked by another artist (possibly Marie Severin) with some alterations and then published as one of the 6-foot "life-sized" posters of different Marvel characters that were sold as a set that year (see fourth image below). Evidence supporting this includes a note on the right side of the artwork that says "5 1/2 FEET HIGH BM-MATTE" (see second image below). Also supporting this is the similarity of the pose between the original artwork and the published poster. In the published poster, the right arm and left leg were repositioned and some additional inking was added. The image was tilted about 20 degrees to the left.

The 6-foot Spider-Man poster is one of the 'Holy Grails' of Spider-Man merchandise collectors. While the artwork sources for the other Marvel characters in the 6-foot posters set has always been easy to document, that has not been the case for the Spider-Man image until now. We believe that the discovery of this historic artwork can now put that long-time mystery to bed! Note that in addition to the 6-foot poster, the altered image was also part of the "Personality Posters", a set of 12" x 17" posters of eight Marvel characters also published in 1966. The altered image was also used as part of the 1966 Donruss Marvel card set. It appeared on both the retail display box and on a montage of heroes that appeared on the back of the cards when they were displayed in order (See fifth image below). The altered image The altered image was also used for the cover of the first comic book in Brazil to feature Spider-Man, published in 1968 (see sixth image below).

 

From the keyboard warriors on this thread, fueled by Mountain Dew and Doritos, (Unca Ben most notably) we'd like to take a moment to say; "YOU'RE WELCOME !"

 

 

 

 

[Grendel72]

Is this now gonna cross 500k?  Gonna be great to see heavy hitters bidding on this ICONIC piece of history. 

[The Voord]

On 3/5/2024 at 6:45 PM, grapeape said:

 UPDATE:   There is strong evidence that in 1966, this artwork was reworked by another artist (possibly Marie Severin) with some alterations and then published as one of the 6-foot "life-sized" posters of different Marvel characters that were sold as a set that year (see fourth image below). Evidence supporting this includes a note on the right side of the artwork that says "5 1/2 FEET HIGH BM-MATTE" (see second image below). Also supporting this is the similarity of the pose between the original artwork and the published poster. In the published poster, the right arm and left leg were repositioned and some additional inking was added. The image was tilted about 20 degrees to the left.

The 6-foot Spider-Man poster is one of the 'Holy Grails' of Spider-Man merchandise collectors. While the artwork sources for the other Marvel characters in the 6-foot posters set has always been easy to document, that has not been the case for the Spider-Man image until now. We believe that the discovery of this historic artwork can now put that long-time mystery to bed! Note that in addition to the 6-foot poster, the altered image was also part of the "Personality Posters", a set of 12" x 17" posters of eight Marvel characters also published in 1966. The altered image was also used as part of the 1966 Donruss Marvel card set. It appeared on both the retail display box and on a montage of heroes that appeared on the back of the cards when they were displayed in order (See fifth image below). The altered image The altered image was also used for the cover of the first comic book in Brazil to feature Spider-Man, published in 1968 (see sixth image below).

 

From the keyboard warriors on this thread, fueled by Mountain Dew and Doritos, (Unca Ben most notably) we'd like to take a moment to say; "YOU'RE WELCOME !"

 

 

 

 

Glen Gold got the ball rolling on this one by posting one of the poster images.  From Glen's clue, it was then easy to fit the pieces together and see the Ditko illustration for what it actually is/was.. Kudos to Glen.

By the way, when I contacted Josh at C-Link, I sent him a detailed analysis of what it was he was actually auctioning off . . . plus a link to this thread (which is why you're now seeing those additional images on the auction listing).

 

 

[grapeape]

On 2/18/2024 at 11:50 AM, grapeape said:

Being unpublished I think will temper the bidding. It's one of the best Spidey pinups by the late great Ditko though.

My guess is $395,000. I'll be surprised if it goes way over, but not surprised if it goes lower.

if it were a published pinup from the era of 1-37 I'd have it at $673,012.49.

 

 

Well there it is in black and white. I said if it was published.....$673,012.49. I'm looking in my 🚗 console for the .49 cents.

 

[grapeape]

On 3/5/2024 at 1:50 PM, The Voord said:

Glen Gold got the ball rolling on this one by posting one of the poster images.  From Glen's clue, it was then easy to fit the pieces together and see the Ditko illustration for what it actually is/was.. Kudos to Glen.

By the way, when I contacted Josh at C-Link, I sent him a detailed analysis of what it was he was actually auctioning off . . . plus a link to this thread (which is why you're now seeing those additional images on the auction listing).

 

 

Well done fellas. Great job Glen. Thanks for reporting to C-Link Terry. Josh and the gang must be freaking out right now at the potential of that specific auction. The added info could be like winning a share of a reasonable lottery pot. 

Good luck to the consignees.