Frazetta Executes a Masterpiece!

DALLAS, TEXAS: "This was one of the great ones -- I never should have let it go."

Thus spoke world-renowned artist Frank Frazetta about his grim and foreboding painting rendered for the cover of Warren's Creepy #17: a hooded headsman stands atop his executioner's platform, axe in hand, ready and waiting for his next victim.

When Jim Warren commissioned this piece from Frazetta - who, in 1967, was in the midst of creating his legendary run of Conan paperback covers for Lancer Books - he wisely gave the artist carte blanche to create whatever he desired. This was a welcome change from other editor's Frazetta had worked with, who dictated virtually every facet of previous pieces.

The result was classic Frazetta, a piece that many scholars cite as a seminal work, one that presages such iconic pieces as "The Death Dealer" painting of the mid-seventies. In fact, this piece was so successful in conveying its mood of threat and menace that Frazetta sold the painting to placate his unnerved wife, who was truly disturbed by the painting's dark imagery!

"This is, bar none, one of the finest Frazetta paintings ever to be offered at public auction," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "Originally sold by Russ Cochran more than 25 years ago, this incredible work has been held in private collections since that time. Recently, it was exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration, where it was insured for $300,000, making it the only Frazetta painting ever to be displayed in a nationally accredited museum."

"An opportunity to acquire a classic work such as this does not come around very often," Jaster said. "It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see this piece disappear into a private collection after our auction, not to emerge again for many years to come. If you've been waiting for just the right piece of Frazetta art to add to your collection, this is the one!"

Frank Frazetta - Creepy #17 Cover "Executioner" Painting Original Art (Warren, 1967):
Estimate: $100,000 & up

Frank Frazetta - Creepy #17 Cover "Executioner" Painting Original Art (Warren, 1967) will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held August 10 -12, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/Comics.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Heritage specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageAuctions.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageAuctions.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HeritageAuctions.com.

Movie poster consignors please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.