BAFFLING MYSTERIES #26 * 4.5 * Post-Code Checkmate

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Author:
Title: BAFFLING MYSTERIES No. 26
Place Published:
Publisher:Ace [Indicia: Periodical House, Inc.]
Date Published: October, 1955
Description:

VG+ (4.5). Spine stress, light creasing, two very short dogeared tears to covers, distributor's mark in ink above logo ("B-3-28"). Clean and press to 5.0 or better? Cream to off-white pages. Cover: Louis Zansky. Art: Sy Grudko, Frank Giusto, Jim McLaughlin, Gene Colan, uncredited others. Final issue. GPAnalysis: Only four recorded sales in any grade. No results in this grade. A 4.0 sold for $74 in January 2021.

Following this Comics Code Authority-approved issue, Ace's Baffling Mysteries shuffled into oblivion. The cover depicts a chessboard bishop brandishing a book as if it were a weapon as he gestures imperiously at his victim. It's interesting to consider the bishop and his rulebook to represent the censorious Comics Code, and the red-clad victim to represent the publishers who were driven out of business: "There's no further place to move! You are checkmated!"

A deluxe limited edition of 12 hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a small number of softcovers. 400 lots, fully illustrated. Fun reference, great keepsake. Softcover $40, deluxe hardcover with dust jacket and limitation plate $200. Eight of the 12 hardcovers are pre-ordered and the rest will go quickly, so reserve yours now. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Consignments welcome for PBA's Spring 2022 Comic Book sale. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Find out why PBA is the new fan-fave of comics auctioneers. "This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books... Priceless." — R. Crumb. Send inquiries to ivan@pbagalleries.com.