Heading:
Author:
Title: LUCKY FIGHTS IT THROUGH [No Number]
Place Published:
Publisher:EC [Indicia: Not stated]
Date Published: 1949
Description:

Good (2.0). Tan pages. 1" split at top spine and 2" split at bottom spine, dampsoiling to bottom spine region of covers and pages, small edge nicks and chips, a few tears up to 1", fingersoiling to covers. A rough copy, but "better low grade than no grade," as the kids say. Cover and art: Harvey Kurtzman. Overstreet: "Very Rare. 1st Kurtzman work for EC. Prepared for Communications Materials Center, Columbia University." Gerber Photo-Journal Guide Scarcity Index: 8 ("Rare. Between 11 to 20 in existence. If you find one of these grab it really quickly because you will likely never get another chance. High premium prices expected."). CGC Census: Ten graded copies. GPAnalysis: Only three reported sales, none in over six years. The lowest-graded result is $1912 for a 7.5 copy sold in 2014.

Harvey Kurtzman visited EC in 1949 looking for work. When he showed Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein his "Hey Look" tearsheets, the two men roared with appreciative laughter, but didn't have any suitable assignments for him at the time. Fortunately, Gaines's uncle David happened to be in the office, and he offered Kurtzman the chance to draw an educational comic. The comic, a 16-page giveaway for Columbia University, featured a rather bold script about a cowboy who contracts syphilis from a barroom floozy he banged after a night of drinking ("Say -- that's a sore down there! I don't like the looks of it!").

"Stiff and awkward in certain places, the artwork is nevertheless executed with real panache.... The narrative on the dangers of syphilis is clearly told, and there's real beauty in some of the design and composition work.... Gaines and Feldstein were suitably impressed.... After looking it over, Al Feldstein became intrigued and gave him a horror script." — Bill Schelly, Harvey Kurtzman: The Man Who Created MAD and Revolutionized Humor in America. Fantagraphics: 2015, pp. 136-138.

A limited edition of 150 softcover and 15 hardcover catalogues is available. 400 lots, fully illustrated. Fun reference, great keepsake. Softcover $30, deluxe hardcover with dust jacket and limitation plate $200. Ten of the 15 hardcovers are pre-ordered and the rest will go quickly, so reserve yours now. To order, contact [email protected].

Consignments welcome for PBA's December 2021 Comic Book sale. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Send inquiries to [email protected].

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We have a full service shipping department to ensure proper packing and safe delivery of purchases at reasonable cost. We are specialists at packing and shipping books and works on paper. All lots purchased by the same client are combined for shipping in order to keep the cost as economical as possible. Our preferred method for domestic shipments is UPS Ground but we can also ship via FedEx or USPS. For international orders we select the most appropriate carrier depending on the value and weight of the items purchased. We are happy to accommodate special arrangements by request.

Invoices are sent out the day following the auction and include a $10 handling fee plus actual shipping and insurance charges.

Shipping estimates can be obtained directly from the lot details page for each item or by contacting William Taylor at [email protected] prior to the auction.

by PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers
October 28, 2021 11:00 AM PDT
605 Addison St
Berkeley, CA, US 94710

PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000