"CAMPAIGN BOOK FOR SUPERMAN" FLEISCHER STUDIOS/PARAMOUNT PICTURES THEATER PRESSBOOK.
Item Description
9x12" pressbook w/16 pages issued by Fleischer Studios and Paramount Pictures in 1942 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 Pliofilm hat, Superman Magic Square, lollipops, balloons and a figural bronze Superman pin. A list of products/licensees include - Superman Doll by Ideal, Monarch Brush Company, New Haven watches and clocks, American Toy Works paint sets, Decca record, Paramount Pen/Pencil sets, Superman Bread, Daisy Krypto-Raygun Cinematic Picture Gun, Milton Bradley, Marx Turnover Plane wind-up, Saalfield puzzles, Superman playsuits and clothing, Valentines, 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, More Fun Comics #74, All Star Comics #8, Batman #8, Superman #13, World's Finest Comics #3, Action Comics #43 and others w/"Now He's The Greatest Star Of The Screen - Superman Is In the Movies" promotional text w/image of Superman bursting through screen. 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 envelope for "The Synopses Of The 12 Issues Of The Superman Series Which Will Be Sent To You Regularly" though this pressbook is w/o any such synopses. Back cover lists "Paramount Feature Shorts" including Superman and Popeye cartoons among other cartoons and newsreels. Pressbook shows scattered handling wear w/pinch creases to spine and corner tip foxing. Some dust soiling along spine, which has 1.75" split at bottom. Cover has a few tiny spots of staining w/some faint scattered moisture staining on back. Cover is Fine overall. Contents show some lt. scattered wear w/corner creases here and there. Fine to VF overall. Very impressive and among the most sought after of pressbooks. Rare w/few known examples.
