Author: [Original Comic Art] Rocco Mastroserio
Title: Salesman of Death" * Complete Seven-Page Story from OUT OF THE SHADOWS No. 6"
Place Published:
Publisher:[Standard/Pines]
Date Published: [1952]
Description: Original art for "Salesman for Death." Complete seven-page story, pencils and inks by Rocco Mastroserio, signed ("Rocke"), published in Standard's Out of the Shadows #6 (October 1952). Black ink over graphite on Bristol board measuring 15" x 22", with white paint touch-ups, marginal editorial notes in graphite, blue pencil, grease pencil and ink, one small textual paste-up, two hole-punches to the left margin of page 1, occasional fingermarks and smudges to margins, overall very good or better condition.Depraved stuff from the demented brush of Rocco Mastroserio, one of the better B-listers who toiled in semi-obscurity in the seedy world of pre-Code horror. This nutty yarn features a fat cat boss who cans a loyal salesman for getting up in years ("You're OLD... washed-up... through!"). The superannuated salesman begs for his job ("Please reconsider! Where can I turn at my age? You're giving me a DEATH SENTENCE!"), but the boss won't relent, so the old gaffer snuffs himself. Soon, the old guy returns from the grave to make one last sales pitch: "You told me I was finished as a salesman! Well, I'm going to prove you were WRONG! I'm going to perform the greatest selling feat of my career! I'M GOING TO SELL YOU ON DEATH! HAAA – HAAA – HA – HA – HAAA – AAAA!"

We won't spoil the ending, but the path to get there is littered with corpses, amputation, psychological torture, arson, and near-suicide by scissors (misspelled "sissors" with a gleeful illiteracy that undermines this story's connection to Arthur Miller's schoolboy staple, Death of a Salesman).______________________________________________________________

A limited edition of ten hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a few dozen softcovers. Fun reference, great keepsake, fully illustrated, chockablock with obscure facts, gags, bon mots. Softcovers are $40, deluxe hardcovers with dust jackets and limitation plates are $200. These books always go fast so don't delay. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Consignments welcome for PBA's Summer 2024 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 funnybook fiends. "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.

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