Heading:
Author: Wertham, Frederic
Title: The Psychopathology of Comic Books * Fredric Wertham File Copy
Place Published:
Publisher:American Journal of Psychotherapy
Date Published: 1948
Description:

[20 pp.] (8vo) 6x9", staple-bound wrappers. Very Fine or better condition, small nick at base of spine, a few light pencil marks to the "Discussion" section at the end, possibly in Dr. Wertham's own hand. Extract from the American Journal of Psychotherapy, Vol. II, No. 3, pages 472-490. Rare: no auction records can be located. Note that Wertham's first name is given as "Frederic" rather than the usual "Fredric" on the title page. Provenance: From the Collection of Thommy Burns, author of numerous essays for Fantagraphics's EC Artists' Library series. Mr. Burns obtained this item from the files of Dr. Fredric Wertham's Lafargue Mental Health Clinic in Harlem.

"You cannot understand present-day juvenile delinquency if you do not take into account the pathogenic and pathoplastic influence of comic books." — Dr. Wertham.
With the publication of this obscure pamphlet in 1948, Dr. Fredric Wertham fired the first shot in his war against comic books. As noted by Adrian Wymann in a 2010 "Read Up On Comics" blog entry, "In 1948 Wertham began to take a more active stance and initiated a symposium on The Psychopathology of Comic Books which was held on 19 March in New York City by the Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy. It was here that he took center stage for the first time, chairing the event and declaring it to be a milestone by gathering several speakers who were presented as specialists on the topic of comic books."
This is one of several rare Wertham pamphlets offered from the collection of Thommy Burns, who says: "These extremely scarce 1940s pamphlets are reprints of magazine articles by Wertham, printed up as handouts for churches, schools, and clinics to give out. All of these examples come directly from Wertham's own Lafargue Mental Health Clinic in Harlem. This a rare opportunity to own not only a piece of hard-to-find early anti-comics material, but one that came from Wertham's own files."

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].

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

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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