*EC: From the Bute Collection: Dubbed by the Overstreet Price Guide as ‘likely the most notorious cover of the Pre-Code era’ (and let’s face it, it has stiff competition), the decapitation cover of Crime Suspenstories #22 was exhibited in the 1954 Senate investigation into juvenile delinquency. If you’re a Pre-Code horror or EC collector, you’ll almost certainly know all about this and how coveted an issue it is. Cover by Johnny Craig; interior art by Reed Crandall, Jack Kamen, Bernie Krigstein and Joe Orlando. For those craving a copy of this classic, the good news is that this copy is a low grade and relatively affordable one (bearing in mind that a 9.2 has sold this year for in excess of $55,000). Although the cover image (and that’s what’s important, after all) is relatively unscathed with good colours, the spine is a wreck. 90% of the spine is split and off-staples. An extra staple is in place in the lower staple area, apparently holding the cover on to the comic. There are small chips out near top and bottom spine, and wear around all the edges, with very short colour-breaking creases and tiny tears; the back cover is also torn and chipped. The interior pages aren’t too bad, firmly bound by the staples and are a decent off-white. High resolution images are available on request.
PICTURED: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES #22 PR/FA £1,200 SOLD