"CAMPAIGN BOOK FOR SUPERMAN" FLEISCHER STUDIOS - PARAMOUNT PICTURES RARE PRESSBOOK.
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Item Description
9x12" w/16 pages issued to promote the series of 17 animated Technicolor cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. These cartoons marked Superman's first animated appearance. The pilot and first eight shorts were produced by Fleischer Studios from 1941 to 1942, while the final eight were produced by Famous Studios (a successor company to Fleischer) from 1942 to 1943. As far as pressbooks go, this one is loaded w/great content, showcasing various promotional tie-ins w/newspaper, comic books, "Supermen Club," radio, contests, merchandising, exploitations, accessories and publicity. Of note, pressbook includes "Superman" daily strip reprint, giveaway premiums including a waterproof hat, "Superman Magic Square," lollipops, balloons and a figural brass Superman pin (see item #2070). A list of products/licensees include - Superman Doll by Ideal, New Haven watches/clocks, paint sets, Decca record, pen/pencil sets, Superman Bread, Daisy "Krypto-Raygun", Milton Bradley, Marx, Saalfield puzzles (see item #2067), Superman playsuits/clothing, Leader Novelty Candy Co. Penny Box Candy And Surprise and more. Radio stations airing the "Superman" radio show are also listed. The "Supermen Of America Club" is featured on two-page spread, showing membership pin, certificate and "Secret Code" as well as ad featuring various DC Comics titles. A "National Superboy And Supergirl Contest" is mentioned, w/image of boy and girl in Superman shirts holding trophies. Local newspaper dealers carrying Superman are listed by state. Two-page spread shows a number of DC Comics, including "All-Flash" #2, "Green Lantern" #1, "Detective Comics" #58,"Batman" #8, "Superman" #13, "Action Comics" #43 and others w/"Now He's The Greatest Star Of The Screen - Superman Is In the Movies" promotional text. Pressbook goes on to feature promotional newspaper style snippets and great ad mat section showing one-sheet poster, standee and various ads for movie theater display. Inside back cover has sleeve for "The Synopses Of The 12 Issues Of The Superman Series Which Will Be Sent To You Regularly" though this pressbook does not include any. Back cover lists "Paramount Feature Shorts" including "Superman, Popeye" and Fleischer "The Raven" cartoon as well as newsreels. Of note, this very pressbook bears interesting an important historical significance as it was the personal copy of Jack Liebowitz, who with partner Harry Donenfeld, owned DC Comics, whom Fleischer licensed Superman from to produce the cartoons. In 1948, DC sued Fawcett Publications for copyright infringement, as they felt Fawcett's Captain Marvel character too closely mirrored Superman. Evidence was provided in court to prove the allegation, including Liebowitz's personal file copy offered here. It was later obtained by well-known Superman collector Gary Coddington before making its way into the collection of Franco Toscanini. Comes w/letter signed by Superman authority Harry Matetsky attesting to the item's provenance. Cover has some penciling at upper left, including 1942 date, Liebowitz's name and "Send Back For File" notation. Covers are evenly aged w/some scattered handling wear including pinch creases to spine and corner tip foxing. Covers are VG/Fine. Interior pages have some scattered pencil notations, but are o/w clean and VF/Exc. Very impressive and one of the rarest and most sought after pressbooks, only a few examples are known. Only the second we've offered in our 49 years, the other example we sold was also from Toscanini's collection, selling for $11,500 in July 2015. This example stands alone due to its connection to Superman's early years and the ensuing historical and personal connections. Franco Toscanini Collection.
