*Romance: From the Bute Collection this week, one of the rarest comics ever to come through our hands. From Fawcett in 1950, there were only four issues (the fourth being reprint). As well as its rarity, it is also a series of cultural and historical significance, being one of the first comics created by African-American artists for an African-American readership. Scripts by Roy Aid, art by Rudy Palais and others. Three stories of romantic entanglement typical of this genre at this period. On the few occasions that issues turn up in the marketplace, they change hands for thousands of dollars, even in low grade. This is a rather nice copy of #2, with its distinctive photo cover (and the most interesting back cover ad I’ve ever seen!). Structurally very sound with only minimal edge and corner wear. Staples are tight and firm at spine and centrefold; pages are a supple white to off-white. There is a narrow patch of slight wavy lines down the centre of the cover between the couple, but nothing colour-breaking and only visible in a certain light. You may well never get another chance to own a copy. High resolution images are available on request.
PICTURED: NEGRO ROMANCE #2 VG/FN £1,000 SOLD