LOT Old Heritage Auctions.  /  2006 November Signature Comic Auction #822  / 

43534

Classics Illustrated Original Scripts and Related Items

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Classics Illustrated Original Scripts and Related Items
<B>Classics Illustrated Original Scripts and Related Items Box Lot (1949-53).</B></I> This treasure trove of memorabilia offers a unique inside look at the process by which the classics of literature were adapted to comic form. Writer Ken Fitch, who worked for almost every comic book publisher in the business from the 1930s through the 1960s, was hired to write many of these adaptations, and this lot consists of items from his files. Included are his scripts for #73, 76, 79, 80, 82, 86, 91, 95, 96, 97, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 107, 109, 110, and 111, as well as the <B>Classics Illustrated Educational Series</B></I> giveaways <B>Westinghouse/Dreams of a Man</B></I> and <B>Shelter Through The Ages</B></I>. There are also two scripts that didn't match up with published issues, "The Magic Flute" and "Quo Vadis" -- the latter has correspondence about the difficult topic of crucifixion, perhaps a planned issue was shelved for that reason. Most of the scripts have a copy of the published comic included (there's also a copy of # 64 with no script). Most include the contracts signed between Gilberton Publications and Ken Fitch (revealing that he was paid anywhere from $135 to $175 for the individual adaptations), and many have extensive typed and/or handwritten notes, rough sketches for the artist to refer to, Spanish editions of the comics, story synopses, news clippings about the movie adaptations of the same story, etc. It's evident that #76 was the first script Fitch sold (though not the first to see publication) and that he refined his system as he did more and more issues. It's also evident how seriously Mr. Fitch took the job -- not only are there copious notes and many preliminary drafts, in the case of #96 ("Daniel Boone") Fitch even entered into correspondence with the author of the original work, John Bakeless, and those letters are included here. Fascinating stuff for any Classics fan!<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Full Comics Long Box (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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