Cover dated October 1941; this is the very first issue of the series that has become known the world over as Classics Illustrated. The history of this title can get complicated, but for this particular issue, it is simple. This is number one. The series was started by Albert L. Kanter. Seeing how popular comics were with youngsters, he thought that the medium could help expose them to the great works of literature. The books were called Classic Comics until 1947 when the title changed to Classics Illustrated. This issue artfully tells the story of The Three Musketeers. It features a cover as well as interior art by Malcolm Kildale. The book is 64-pages. (With issue #13, they dropped the page count to 56 and in issue #45 the count dropped again to 48). The story of The Three Musketeers proved to be one of the most popular books that Classic ever ran, eventually seeing 23 editions. Over the years, the artwork was redone and the cover changed. The pages are off-white. There are two small pieces of tape on the interior cover at the staples. The book is CGC-certified VG/FN 5.0.