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Lot # 1414: Rare Books on Comic Books w/Parade of Pleasure & Seduction of the Innocent (4)

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 1 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed

Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Summer 2016 Catalog",
which ran from 5/17/2016 9:00 AM to
6/17/2016 9:00 PM



This lot includes four books with the first and second being quite rare: 1) Parade of Pleasure. This is an extremely rare and desirable review copy with a letter from Library Publishers dated May 24, 1955. The letter is typical exploitation, titillating subject matter wrapped in concern for the youth of America. The 7.25x9" hardcover comes w/original dust jacket. This book, subtitled "A Study Of Popular Iconography In The U.S.A." is widely considered the English equivalent of "Seduction Of The Innocent," (which is the next book in this list) which scrutinized comic books as a major cause of juvenile delinquency in the 1950s. This is a first American edition published by Library Press in 1955, and features illustrations, including scenes from movies and girlie magazines as well as several comic books, including EC Comics like "Tales From The Crypt" and "The Vault Of Horror" as well as war comics like "Combat" and "Blackhawk" and superhero comic "Adventure Comics" featuring Superboy (incorrectly referred to as "Superman's Brother). Pin-up magazines are also featured, w/images of Marilyn Monroe, Tempest Storm and Irish McCalla. DJ features photo/biography of author Wagner and has been clipped. DJ shows some wear, 3/4" piece missing the on binding and book is VG+ to EX. 2) Seduction of the Innocent. This is a very rare first edition with the dust jacket; the book that started it all. Seduction of the Innocent is an anti-comics book written by psychiatrist Dr. Fredric Wertham. Published in 1954, it laid the blame for delinquency largely upon comic books. The book helped spark a Senate investigation and the formation of the Comics Code Authority. More than any other publication, it was this book that nearly killed the entire United States comic book industry in the mid-1950s. It is extremely sought and a first edition with the dust jacket is very hard to find. The dust jacket is GOOD to VG, and the book is VG+ to EX. 3-4) Comic and Their Creators by Martin Sheridan First Edition 1942 with the dust jacket, which has condition issues, and the book is GOOD to VG. Another version of the same book (also a first edition that is in better condition but is missing the dust jacket VG+ to EX.

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