*Horror 1940-1959: Two pre-code ACG horror issues from the Bute Collection this week. PICTURED:
THE CLUTCHING HAND NN (#1) FA+ £80 From 1954, the one-shot Clutching Hand, with several stories ranging from 1 page each to several pages each. Cover by Ken Bald, art on stories by Paul Gustavson, Harry Lazarus, John Rosenberger, Sheldon Moldoff, Edmond Good & Ken Landau. Body parts, vampires a doll man, shrunken heads, flowery death, zombies, a killer dog – it’s all here! Spine taped and covers detached from body of comic. Reasonable pages with good staples at centre. Edge wear but good cover image.
SKELETON HAND #6 FA £25 SOLD From 1953, the sixth and final issue of this series, with several stories of varying length. Cover by Sheldon Moldoff, with accomplished interior art (no famous names). A medium, the Devil, imps, a graveyard, a witch, living myths, a demonic monster and a body – that’s all here too! Covers detached and separated; edge wear and back cover staining. Staples okay at centre, if a little rust migration. Reasonable page quality.