LOT #82023 |
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Black Mask #3 June 1920 (Pro-Distribution) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages....
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Sold on Dec 4, 2025 for:
$4,560.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
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Description
Black Mask #3 June 1920 (Pro-Distribution) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages. Likely the rarest long-running pulp series, putting together a run of Black Mask is a nigh-impossible task. This issue features a skull cover by William Grotz, embodying the genre-bending nature of Black Mask. Remembered for its detective fiction, the series experimented with a wide variety of genres. This issue advertises "mystery, romance, adventure, detective, and spiritualistic stories."This is a solid (unrestored and not trimmed) copy of a book we've never seen hide nor hair of. Prior to this Auction, we had only encountered a single issue of this title from its inaugural year. Dr. Meli being satisfied with a 3.0 copy underscores how tough this is to encounter in any grade. Bookery's describes "early issues" of Black Mask as "especially scarce". Bookery's Guide to Pulps Second Edition 2020 GD 2.0 value = $100; VG 4.0 value = $300. CGC census 10/25: 1 in 3.0, none higher. NOTE: The newly released Bookery's Guide to Pulps: Revised Third Edition 2025 GD 2.0 value for this issue is $200; VG 4.0 value = $600.
From the Dr. Richard Meli Collection.
CGC Grader Notes:
overhang chipping to cover
overhang tears to cover
overhang creasing to cover
creasing to cover
tears to cover
pieces out to cover
soiling on cover
spine splits to cover
View the certification for CGC Certification ID 4618732023, including grader's notes if available and a link to the latest full census report for the issue.*
View population data for this issue and series on Fanalytics.*
*All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. No item may be returned or refused based on this information, which is provided as a service to our clients. Feel free to contact each data source directly to determine the accuracy of this information.
Auction Info
2025 December 4 - 6 The Dr. Richard Meli Collection Pulps Signature® Auction #7444 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
4th-6th
Thursday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 10
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 122
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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