Auctions: comic books February 1953

Hand of Fate (1951 Ace) 16 FR/GD 1.5

1 1/2" spine split from bottom. Water damage. Cover oxidation.

Specters Stalk the Bloody Tower; England, 1940, height of the "blitz"; A German collaborator is brought to justice and hanged by the ghosts of the London Tower. The Clock of Doom Strikes Loud!; A "selfish man" dies and meets Fate, leading him to the afterlife; The man tries to cheat his demise by entering three doors back into life, labeled "Money," "Power" and "Love". The Black Curse of Rhan Giva, art by Louis Zansky; After the death of Mr. Wingate, his indian servant tries to get control over his lovely daughter; He traps her in a magic doll house. Havoc on the Midway; A circus stage hand makes pact with the devil; He gets the magician's act, the strongman's girl and inherits the whole operation. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Weird Mysteries (1952 Gillmore) 3 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: See item notes

Minor side edge crack(s), less than 1".

Label #4270380001

Cover by Bernard Baily. Stories and art by Charles Stern, Tony Mortellaro and Ross Andru. Pre-Code tales of horror from Stanley Morse Publications. A surgeon's lifelong rival beats him to a prestigious position, so he cuts off his hand, in a story by future Marvel artist Ross Andru (and possibly his longtime inker Mike Esposito). Paul inherits his uncle's castle, and also his family legacy of monster-making. A subway worker discovers giant ants beneath the city. While the Iron Was Hot; Hand of Fate; Your Name on It; The Disbeliever; The Castle of Fear. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.