*Miscellaneous 1940-1959: One of the prized rarities from the Bute Collection this week.  Despite not strictly being a pre-code horror title, the third issue of Crime Does Not Pay (Silver Streak to #21), the first ever crime title, has a cover every bit as infamous as its more ‘purist’ horror brethren, and content full of horror overtones. The ‘charming’ image of a woman’s head on fire being pushed on to a hot stovetop burner is, um, burned into the mythos of the American horror comic; copies are sought after at a hefty premium. Intro and first appearance of your host Mr Crime. Published by Lev Gleason in 1942. Cover by Charles Biro, with interior art by Dick Briefer, Frank Giacoia and many others. This is a lower graded copy, with the spine split from the top down to the upper staple, which is off the cover. Lower staple is firm, but the spine has wear weaknesses the rest of the way down, although in one piece. There is edge wear with small amounts of chipping and a small piece of tape around the cover at bottom spine. The cover image has good colour and reflectivity and is not damaged. Staples tight throughout including at centre. Page quality is solid, off-white to cream. If this is your thing, you won’t get too many chances to own a copy. High resolution images are available on request. 
PICTURED: CRIME DOES NOT PAY #24 GD £3,250