Comic books in 'Promotional'

Life: How Comic Books Boost Political Candidates (1950) was a promotional pamphlet published by Life Magazine. This is an early example of the important role comic books played in both primary and general elections. Comic books were used by presidents, senators, congressmen, governors and mayors with satisfying and sometimes spectacular results. Two opposing sides weigh in on this campaign method. One side refers to comic books as the lowest art form full of character assassination and used to rewrite history. The other states that it is an economical medium with appealing authentic pictures and light dialogue that dramatize in a positive way the events of a candidate's career, thus illustrating qualities that show his fitness for the position sought. 4 pages, white paper stock, B&W, folds out to 10.5-in. x 13.5-in. Cover price $0.20.

Add to cart VG/FN 5.0 $73.00 View scans Staple rust: Moderate.

Miniature Facsimile Edition of the first issue of Life published January 4, 1883. This reproduction was produced ca. 1950. 3.5" x 4.5", 16 pages, B&W

Life of Christ one-shot, 1958 reprint - Script by Robert Southard, art by Addison Burbank. Cover by Hans Helwig. 7.25" x 10.25", FC. Cover price $0.35.

Souvenir Program book from the Sells-Floto Circus for the 1931 season. The first 9 pages feature a biography of Tom Mix with photos. 36 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.15.

Add to cart Good $50.00 View scans Spine split 10%. Staple rust: Slight.

6.5" x 9", 16 pages, B&W

3rd Printing. Life with the Navy by Navy Nora (1943) was a promotional booklet published by Dorothy Bond. Story and art are also by Dorothy Bond. Follow Navy Nora and her humorous adventures as the new girl in the offices of the United States Navy. This book was dedicated to those unsung heroes and heroines who work in shore establishments for the United States Navy. 60 pages, B&W, card-stock cover, 8.5-in. x 5.5-in. Cover price $0.50.

Add to cart FN/VF 7.0 $29.00 View scans

Circa 1954. Assumed Bell Telephone (AT&T). Promotional brochure, likely produced by Bell Telephone, meant to instruct the public on proper etiquette when using a telephone party-line. Illustrated by Dik Browne, known for his work on "Hi and Lois" and as the creator of "Hagar the Horrible". It's possible that Browne drew this while working for the Johnstone & Cushing ad agency, as AT&T was one of their clients and they frequently hired cartoonists. Each page has a charming six-panel cartoon showing an example of rude or inconsiderate use of a party-line, then a caption below instructing the proper use. 8" x 10 1/2". 6 pages. Two-color.

Add to cart Fine $6.00

Add to cart FN- 5.5 $5.49

1992 edition. American Legion promotional comic for kids about history of U.S.A.. Published by Custom Comic Services.

Add to cart Near Mint $2.50

Add to cart Near Mint $2.50

2007 edition. American Legion promotional comic for kids about history of U.S.A.. Published by Custom Comic Services.

Add to cart VF 8.0 $8.00 View scan

Add to cart VF 8.0 $8.00 View scan

Promotional giveaway from MRC Tamiya abou their line of 1/32 cars. 6 1/2-in. x 10-in., 16 pages, full color.

Published by Charlton as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart Fair $12.00

Stories and art by Frank Johnson and others. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie tries to help a carpenter who's building a garage, but only makes him regret becoming a contractor. After Ollie's dad gets a fur coat, Ollie builds a pit bear-trap in the back yard. But when Ollie decides to start his own ant farm, that's when his dad really comes face-to-face with raw nature. Hardly Helpful; Snappy Trapping; Moving Scenes; Rescue Party; Captain Coreys Curiosity Corner; Ants in Your Plants. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Johnson. Stories and art by Frank Johnson and others. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie's dad's worst nightmare is three identical Ollies. Ollie dresses as a girl to crash a girls' lunch party, but things quickly get out of hand. Ollie is supposed to be on his best behavior for the benefit of a visiting uncle, but even Ollie's best behavior is hard to take. Triple Trouble; Li'l Wise Guy; Just for Girls; Li'l Lumberjack: Animal Charmer; Shoes for Shobasho; Treat 'I'm Right. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart Good $17.00

Stories and art by Frank Johnson and others. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie and his cousin Li'l Tomboy find the welcoming fund for the governor's visit, and use it to buy gigantic fireworks instead. Ollie discovers just how dangerous a boomerang can really be. Li'l Tomboy wants to be a cop, so she starts patrolling the neighborhood for crime. Welcoming Committee; Wild and Woodsy; Monroe Niner Meets Etko the Elephant; Return Trip; Li'l Tomboy: Just Child's Play; Pops a Sport. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Johnson. Stories and art by Frank Johnson and George Wildman. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie tries to invent a remedy for unwanted visitors while visiting his Uncle Smart's lab. Woodland animals escaping from the rain hide in Ollie's tent - including beaver, bear, a moose and an elephant. Ollie and Tomboy, sometimes called "The Li'l Rascals," visit their cousin Artie, who is a comic-book artist. How Discouraging!; Tenting Troubles; Goofy Rabbit: Tree House or Bust; Timmy the Timid Ghost: Some Days You Can't Win; Skoonie the Skunk; For Artie's Sake. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Johnson. Stories and art by Frank Johnson and George Wildman. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. While experimenting with their bubble wands, Ollie and Li'l Tomboy accidentally enter Bubble Land and get captured by the Bubble People. Ollie's dad ill-advisedly sends Ollie to be a caddy during his boss's golf game. Uranium-carrot-powered Atomic Bunny leads a hungry fox on a merry chase. Bubble Happy; Very Helpful Caddy; Chumpo the Chimp; Atomic Bunny: Emergency Carrots; A Rare Bird. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Frank Johnson and F. Sarlo. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie and Li'l Tomboy try to find a burglar to rob their house, so they can become heroes and get their names in the paper. Li'l Tomboy's parents dare to hope she's found her feminine side when she starts dabbling in makeup, in a story with a surprisingly modern ending. Plus a fanciful story of how dogs got to be dogs, by cartoonist F. Sarlo. Friendly Burglar Wanted; Hello, Hello!; Li'l Tomboy: Let's Make-Up; Bowo the Bookworm; The Cocky Rooster; Doggie. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $4.40

Cover by Frank Johnson. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie wins a contest to be the manager of a movie theater for a day. He means well, but manages to destroy yet another dinner with his dad's boss. Then he applies his usual destructive logic to the roller-skating rink. Theater Manager; Home Movies; Nervous Buddies; Beat the Bass?; Lester Pooch: 2 Lessons to Learn; Museum Madness. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Jon D'Agostino and others. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie gets the part of the dragon in the school play, but they really shouldn't trust him with open flames. Ollie and his father go hunting, and Nature trembles. A great blue heron lands on the roof of the house. Dragon Daze; Well, Bowl Me Over; The Great Protector; Good For Sometheeng; Wise Worm; Squawk. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Johnson. Stories and art by Jon D'Agostino and others. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie's dad gets roped into one PTA meeting, and the next thing he knows, he's running for president. Champy gets recruited from the city zoo to be a test-chimp for early spaceflight, in a story that's a sign of its times. Alice thinks Japanese culture borrows too much from US pop culture, an interesting contrast with modern times. Pop for President; Champy the Space Chimp; A Little Suburb of America. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Stories and art by Jon D'Agostino and others. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie creates snowy mayhem at a ski resort. A puppy goes to extremes to win over a spoiled, jaded rich kid. Ollie's mom soon regrets taking him on a tour of the candy factory. Down Hill; How to Win a Little Boy; Three Mistakes; Candy Village. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Jon D'Agostino. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie's dad thinks he can fix the car himself, until Ollie decides to give him a hand. Ollie gets separated from his mom while Christmas shopping and ends up on top of the city clock tower. Wealthy Welby wants to woo Sue, but she thinks he's dull as dishwater. Mechanics' Helper; Hildegarde: Strange Antics; Old Smokey: ...A Success!; Wealthy Welby; Dotty The Diving Dolphin; Shopping Spree. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Stories and art by Jon D'Agostino and Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Charlton presented this version of the mischievous Ollie Orwell as a promotional item for Blue Bird Comics, handed out at kids' shoe stores as a free giveaway. Ollie takes in a lost dog over his mother's protests. It turns out to be a wealthy woman's lost poodle, and getting him back to her is the challenge, in an issue-length story. Plus a comics biography of American patriot Nathan Hale. Another Boarder; The Hippo Twins; Words of Advice; Lest We Forget: Nathan Hale. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Add to cart Fine $4.49

Limerence Press is an imprint of Oni Press. 6 1/2-in. x 10 1/4-in., 12 pages, B&W.

Little Klinker (1960) is a promotional Christmas comic giveaway distributed by Montgomery Ward. Little Klinker, a loveable puppy, has an adventures with Santa Claus, plus pages of games for children. Ad on inside-back-cover for Little Kllinker toys and other merchandise including a 45 RPM record album in which Tennessee Ernie Ford sings about Klinker. Full color. Printed by Western Printing and Lithographing Co.

Store display circa 1956 for Kleenex tissues. Little Lulu is carrying a box of Kleenex in a majorette uniform. Scarce. 9 3/4-in. x 10 1/2-in. Full color on cardstock.

Cover by Frank Carin. Art by Fred Ottenheimer and others. Adventures of Little Miss Sunbeam, the bread-company mascot created by Ellen Segner. A promotional series of the same title was also published as a giveaway. The kids have fun with a homemade telephone, including instructions on how to make one with two tin cans and some string. Explorer Uncle Teddy hates kids, so the gang decides to try and win him over. Little Miss Sunbeam's dog Ginger misbehaves once too often and gets sent to a farm up state, but she escapes and saves the family from a robbery. What's Wrong with This Picture?; The Tin Can Telephone; How to Make the Tin Can Telephone; Uncle Teddy's Terrible Temper!; Toothy Snyder, Delivery Boy; Cinderella's Sister; Little Dog Gone!; Sunbeamland Puzzle Page; Sunbeam Scores! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Carin. Art by Frank Carin and others. Adventures of Little Miss Sunbeam, the bread-company mascot created by Ellen Segner. A promotional series of the same title was also published as a giveaway. The kids find a magician's suitcase and decide to put on a magic show of their own; A grocer's least favorite customer has to try everything in the store; The gang accidentally frees a circus tiger and tries to help recapture it. What's Wrong with This Picture?; Out West; Toothy Snyder, Delivery Boy; The Magic Suitcase; Danger Road; Gus the Grocer; Little Dog Gone!; Sunbeamland Puzzle Page. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Carin. Art by Bob Powell and others. Adventures of Little Miss Sunbeam, the bread-company mascot created by Ellen Segner. A promotional series of the same title was also published as a giveaway. A talking horse takes the kids on an adventure; Little Miss Sunbeam falls asleep on a plane and winds up on Terry and the Pirates-style adventure in the Far East; The kids outwit thieves at the county fair. Sunbeamland Puzzle Page; The Talking Horse!; Gus the Grocer Shoots the Works!; Toothy Snyder, Delivery Boy; War Whoops on the Santa Fe Trail!; The First Bow; The Rainbow Veil; Magic You Can Do. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures of Little Miss Sunbeam, the bread-company mascot created by Ellen Segner. A promotional series of the same title was also published as a giveaway. Sunny and Weegee encounter outlaws during a wild horse roundup out West; The gang puts on a play that becomes a runaway hit when a poster mishap has Clark Cable starring in it; The kids race gangsters to find Blackbeard's buried treasure. Sunbeamland Puzzle Page; The Desperados of Devil's Gap; Gus the Grocer; Toothy Snyder, Delivery Boy; Sunbeamland Quiz and Game Page; The Treasure in the Sand!; Pencil Fun with Little Miss Sunbeam. Final issue of the series. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

How To Play "instruction manual" (the game is not included). This Ovaltine premium, circa 1934, features Little Orphan Annie in a six panel comic strip explaining to children how to play her shake-up game. Double sided sheet of paper folded once in the center. 9 5/8-in x 3 1/8-in.

American Dental Association Promo. Illustrated picture booklet. Art by Merryweather. 6-in. x 5-in. 16 Pages, duotone color.

The Book of Street and Highway Accident Data booklets, which this series would later become known as, were a series of free driving safety booklets published annually (except for the war years) since 1931 by Travelers Insurance Co. The booklets contain traffic statistics and illustrations that typically depict dangerous driving situations and/or accidents.
This is the 6th annual issue. The front cover, back cover, and the centerfold all have painted artwork. Inside, the booklet is heavily illustrated with many of them full page. Also, there are 4 cartoons worth mentioning in particular. One by Carl Anderson (Henry), another by Bill Holman (Smokey Stover), and two by Ralph Stein (Popeye).
8.5 x 11.5, primarily b&w with some color, 40 pages on slick paper.

Street and Highway Accident Data booklets, series of free driving safety booklets published annually since 1931 by Travelers Insurance Co. The booklets contain traffic statistics and illustrations that typically depict dangerous driving situations and/or accidents.
This is the 6th annual issue. The front cover, back cover, and the centerfold all have painted artwork. Inside, the booklet is heavily illustrated with many of them full page. Also, there are 4 cartoons worth mentioning in particular. One by Carl Anderson (Henry), another by Bill Holman (Smokey Stover), and two by Ralph Stein (Popeye). 8-in. x 6-in. B&W with some color, 16 pages on plain paper. There is a larger version with 40 pages.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $90.00 View scans

Advertising Broadside issued in 1940 to promote Living Romances Magazine. Printed on heavy cardstock. 10.5" x 14", single-sided, full color. Cover price $0.15.

The Lone Ranger radio show was sponsored by Silver Cup Bread. To tie in to the radio show, they would offer premiums in their loaves of bread. This is a beautiful, painted example on stiff cardstock in full color. The back is unprinted. 4-in. x 6 1/2-in., matte-finish postcard, full color.

Add to cart NM 9.4 $235.00 View scans Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Add to cart NM 9.4 $250.00 View scans Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Add to cart VF 8.0 $65.00 View scan Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Original Promotional Fold-Out Brochure for the animated 1978 adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings by Ralph Bakshi. Art by Mike Ploog. The fold out brochure measures 8.5 x 11.5 and unfolds to a massive 34″. The backside of the brochure has a single panoramic scene depicting the hobbits celebrating Bilbo Baggin's birthday. The front side of the brochure contains more concept art and talks about the new technique used to make the movie which involved filming costumed actors in live action scenes first, before taking the individual frames and animating them, creating an enhanced realism for the audience. 8 pages printed on heavy cardstock.

Love and Rockets Fall Lineup 1988. Single sheet folded to 8 1/2-in. x 11-in. B&W.

"Free Copy" Sample of the November 15, 1930 issue of Love Story Magazine. 16 Pages, Text Only, 6.75" x 9.75".

"Free Copy" Sample of the January 7, 1933 issue of Love Story Magazine. 16 Pages, Text Only, 6.75" x 9.75".

"Free Copy" Sample of the February 8, 1936 issue of Love Story Magazine. 16 Pages, Text Only, 6.75" x 9.75".

"Free Copy" Sample of the March 7, 1936 issue of Love Story Magazine. 16 Pages, Text Only, 6.75" x 9.75".

Add to cart Very Good $12.00 View scans Paper: Cream to off white Front cover detached 5%. Back cover detached 10%. Water damage: Moderate. Staple rust: Slight.

Volume 139, Issue 4 - January 29, 1938. Vintage pulp magazine that offers novels, short stories, and poetry all centered around romance - all of which are unique to it's volume, not reprints. This issue's main stories include the first part (of 5) of "So Many Hours" written by Audrey Mountain and Part 3 (of 5) of "Passion Star" by Jennifer Ames. Short fiction and novelettes include "Diamond Wedding" by Daisy Dean, "Shadow Woman" by Ruth Lyons, "Dangerous Kisses" by Gladys Johnson, "Romantic Ideas" by June Jennifer, and many others. Also includes poetry from Lydia A. Edstrand, Philip Jerome Cleveland, and Ruth Lamson, as well as beauty tips and reader's letters to the editor. 6.75" x 9.75", 278 pages, B&W, text only.

1979 reprint edition. Art and cover by Harvey Kurtzman. A public-health giveaway from EC, back when the company was still run by Max Gaines and called "Educational Comics." A public service awareness-builder about STDs, then called "venereal disease." Cowpoke Lucky is duped by a rival and winds up with syphilis, putting a damper on his romance with Saddle Sal. Produced by EC for the Columbia University Press, and probably distributed to schools, military bases and the like. Noteworthy now for reprinting the first work Harvey Kurtzman did for EC, back before he created Two-Fisted Tales and MAD and changed comics forever. 16 pages, B&W.

Stories and art by Jack Davis and others. Cover by Jack Davis. Lucky Star roams the Old West, battling outlaws and owlhoots with his sidearm and his rope. A promotional giveaway series for Lucky Star Jeans from San Antonio kids' clothing manufacturer SanTone. Lucky and his sidekicks stumble on a violent dispute between Slim Horton and other outlaws over a gold stash. Renegade Natives fake Lucky's kidnapping to lead a regiment of soldiers into a trap. Featuring art and cover by future EC legend Jack Davis. Lost Treasure; Indian Ambush.  5-in. x 7-in., 16 pages, Full Color.

Stories and art by Jack Davis and others. Cover by Jack Davis. Lucky Star roams the Old West, battling outlaws and owlhoots with his sidearm and his rope. A promotional giveaway series for Lucky Star Jeans from San Antonio kids' clothing manufacturer SanTone.  Lucky and his sidekicks escort a European duke crossing the West with art treasures, but all is not as it seems. Lucky investigates a crazed old hermit who claims to have found a gold mine. Featuring art and cover by future EC legend Jack Davis. Royal Treachery; Hermit's Revenge.  5-in. x 7-in., 16 pages, Full Color.

Stories and art by Frank Carin and others. Cover by Frank Carin. Lucky Star roams the Old West, battling outlaws and owlhoots with his sidearm and his rope. A promotional giveaway series for Lucky Star Jeans from San Antonio kids' clothing manufacturer SanTone. Lucky finds danger on a remote trail. A wolf pack threatens a family. Danger Trail; Wolf Pack.  5-in. x 7-in., 16 pages, Full Color.

Stories and art by Frank Carin and others. Cover by Frank Carin. Lucky Star roams the Old West, battling outlaws and owlhoots with his sidearm and his rope. A promotional giveaway series for Lucky Star Jeans from San Antonio kids' clothing manufacturer SanTone.  Lucky's sidekicks try to find gold at their mine in the Nightmare Mountains. Nightmare Gold Mine; Villains of Lost Village.  5-in. x 7-in., 16 pages, Full Color.

Lucky Star roams the Old West, battling outlaws and owlhoots with his sidearm and his rope. A promotional giveaway series for Lucky Star Jeans from San Antonio kids' clothing manufacturer SanTone. Lucky's horse Thunder makes a crucial warning that saves the day. Lucky Star; Thunder's Warning; Live Wires.  5-in. x 7-in., 16 pages, Full Color.