British Update: Alan Class Plate Sets Final Phase: Human Torch, SHIELD, Kirby, Ditko and more
*Alan Class Reprints: For many years now, we’ve been scouring the personal archives of legendary publisher Alan Class (who is still very much with us) and with his full co-operation, releasing for sale sets of the original printing plates that were used to print the covers of his comics from 1959-1989. We have now reached the final phase of these plate set releases, which will last us throughout 2022. These sets are time-consuming to prepare, so our release schedule will be staggered. But the good news is that all the sets we have left are among the best, either featuring a classic Marvel comic reprint, or else a very early fantasy/mystery issue. So, this final phase represents your last opportunity to add one or more of these unique pieces to your collection. Each set comprises the lead printing plates used in the original comic’s colour printing, a copy of the comic printed with these plates and a signed certificate of authenticity signed by Alan Class himself. These are packaged in a special protective presentation case. Several sets (as noted) have additional historical artefacts such as colour proofs, interior page plates, printers’ photostats etc. (Please be aware that these weigh a lot and postage will be expensive. Also note that due to the onerous paperwork required for customs declarations following Brexit, we can no longer post these Plate Sets outside the UK.) Three new sets this week as follows: ALL SOLD
SINISTER TALES #22 £125 Comic GD-; Reprints Human Torch by Kirby & other stories from Strange Tales #102 inc cover (2nd Torch solo, 1st Wizard), pre-hero Marvel inc 1 Ditko, Atlas,. NB Comic has split at base of spine with minor loss, first page detached but present. Extra Deep Presentation case. Extra: 65 pages of interior black and white printer’s proofs, featuring every page of the interior.
SUSPENSE #98 £70 Comic VG+; Reprints Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #9 inc cover, 1 Jaguar, Charlton, Tower war. Extra: Colour cover proof
UNCANNY #8 £50 Comic VF-; Reprints Charlton, ACG, 1 Ditko. (The plates on this one are not the best; 2 of them are partially covered in paper presumably used in the printing process, probably a flong gone wrong!) Extra: Colour cover proof (tatty)