Spartan Publishing Co. This publication is of major significance in the development of the Lone Ranger character as this prototype pulp magazine was printed to secure copyright for The Lone Ranger. As "The Lone Ranger" radio show was becoming a nationwide phenomenon, Spartan published this ashcan for a monthly pulp. However that did not happen for another eight months when the first official issue of “The Lone Ranger Magazine” was published in April 1937 and by that time the publisher’s name had changed to Trojan. That pulp also featured totally different cover art than this ashcan. This ashcan measures 7x10" w/32 pages. Cover is titled "The Lone Ranger" and has 5¢ cover price. Front cover depicts The Lone Ranger wearing a bandana rather than his trademark black mask. Contains two Western stories by Wayne Brooks and Peter Stuart w/six illustrations. Stories have no Lone Ranger content, but the third entry on the title page lists page 21 as the start of story "The Lone Ranger Rides - A Glimpse Down Pioneer Trail." Large, bold type reads in part "...It's The Man Who Rides Alone Who Meets Danger In The Most Dramatic Fashion...The Lone Rider Carries Excitement Wherever He Goes! Follow The Adventures Of The Lone Ranger In Every Thrilling Issue Of This Magazine.” Magazine also carries several full page or smaller advertisements, including a full-page Johnson-Smith ad showing 21 of their novelties w/catalog offer. Inside covers are blank, back cover features US School of Music ad for musical instruction. Cream to off-white pages. We are pleased to offer one of only two known examples (the other is CGC-graded 5.5) of this incredibly rare publication. Historic first appearance of The Lone Ranger in print.