Burgos, Carl - MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #4 1939 HUMAN TORCH DESIGN Illustration
VF: 8.0
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Sunday, 03/17/2024 6:10 PM
$38,583.65
Sold For
35
Bids
PUBLISHER: Timely
COMMENTS: A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Carl Burgos art; concept illustration; 1939; image size 5.5" x 10"
Earliest known illustration of the Human Torch by Burgos!
Jon Berk Collection
Read Description ▼
Carl Burgos art; concept illustration; 1939; image size 5.5" x 10"
Earliest known illustration of the Human Torch by Burgos!
Jon Berk Collection
DESCRIPTION
A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Carl Burgos art; concept illustration; 1939; image size 5.5" x 10"
Earliest known illustration of the Human Torch by Burgos!
Jon Berk CollectionThe Human Torch, who famously graces the cover of Marvel Comics #1, was originally created by Carl Burgos under the direction of Lloyd Jacquet, whose Motion Picture Funnies Weekly venture that was to feature Bill Everett's Sub-Mariner proved unsuccessful. Jacquet then brought the Sub-Mariner to Martin Goodman who wanted to get into the growing field of comic books. Goodman decided that they needed a second feature for the issue, Jacquet then approached Burgos to create a new character for the book, a fire based hero to counter the water based Sub-Mariner, making the Human Torch the very first character created specifically for Marvel Comics. For issue #4 of Marvel Mystery Comics (released in December 1939) Burgos redesigned the Torch as a more friendly iteration than the fearsome faceless character that had appeared in the first three issues, this drawing is the design submitted to Jacquet for that redesign and represents the earliest know drawing of the Human Torch to exist. Following the appearance in issue #4 the Torch was reverted back to his original appearance making this an incredibly interesting piece of early Marvel history. The drawing, dated 1939 with 'MM #4' written on the back, was created by Burgos prior to the publication of Marvel Comics #4, there is writing to the right of the figure that has been erased, it's difficult to make out, but it begins "To Lloyd...". The drawing, which was printed by Marvel in the Golden Age Marvel Omnibus vol. 1 in 2009, was originally sold in 1972 as part of Jacquet's estate and then auctioned again by Sotheby's in 1991, it had been in Jon Berk's collection from that point until now. Mixed media. Art is in excellent condition.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE
Artist Information
Carl Burgos, born Max Finkelstein is an american comic book and advertising artist who famously created the Human Torch for Marvel Comics #1. Burgos continued working throughout the Golden Age of comics as well as pursuing a career in commercial and advertising art. Carl's most notable works include the aforementioned Human Torch and Captain America comics.
Carl Burgos art; concept illustration; 1939; image size 5.5" x 10"
Earliest known illustration of the Human Torch by Burgos!
Jon Berk CollectionThe Human Torch, who famously graces the cover of Marvel Comics #1, was originally created by Carl Burgos under the direction of Lloyd Jacquet, whose Motion Picture Funnies Weekly venture that was to feature Bill Everett's Sub-Mariner proved unsuccessful. Jacquet then brought the Sub-Mariner to Martin Goodman who wanted to get into the growing field of comic books. Goodman decided that they needed a second feature for the issue, Jacquet then approached Burgos to create a new character for the book, a fire based hero to counter the water based Sub-Mariner, making the Human Torch the very first character created specifically for Marvel Comics. For issue #4 of Marvel Mystery Comics (released in December 1939) Burgos redesigned the Torch as a more friendly iteration than the fearsome faceless character that had appeared in the first three issues, this drawing is the design submitted to Jacquet for that redesign and represents the earliest know drawing of the Human Torch to exist. Following the appearance in issue #4 the Torch was reverted back to his original appearance making this an incredibly interesting piece of early Marvel history. The drawing, dated 1939 with 'MM #4' written on the back, was created by Burgos prior to the publication of Marvel Comics #4, there is writing to the right of the figure that has been erased, it's difficult to make out, but it begins "To Lloyd...". The drawing, which was printed by Marvel in the Golden Age Marvel Omnibus vol. 1 in 2009, was originally sold in 1972 as part of Jacquet's estate and then auctioned again by Sotheby's in 1991, it had been in Jon Berk's collection from that point until now. Mixed media. Art is in excellent condition.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE
Artist Information
Carl Burgos, born Max Finkelstein is an american comic book and advertising artist who famously created the Human Torch for Marvel Comics #1. Burgos continued working throughout the Golden Age of comics as well as pursuing a career in commercial and advertising art. Carl's most notable works include the aforementioned Human Torch and Captain America comics.