GLENN CRAVATH (American, 1897-1964). King Kong, original promotional daily newspaper strip-style illustration. Ink on bo... (Total: 2 Items)

Description

GLENN CRAVATH (American, 1897-1964)
King Kong, original promotional daily newspaper strip-style illustration
Ink on board
11 x 28.5 in.
Signed lower right
This lot includes the original art to a King Kong comic strip and a hand-painted King Kong logo (painted in blue paint). Rare doesn't begin to describe this landmark comic strip art. All of the original artwork for the 1933 release of King Kong was presumed not to exist. The artist's son (and heir) passed away in the late 1990's and the world was treated to a great surprise! In addition to some color preliminaries for the poster art, the actual originals used for the King Kong comic strip were among the find. A set of six dailies, to be published in black and white, Monday to Saturday, were created for the local papers to introduce and advertise the movie and prepare the audience for the spectacle. The studio was expecting a major hit and created one of the most elaborate press books of all time to promote the movie. The six strips were prominently featured in the press book, taking up most of a whole page, directly following a full-color centerfold insert. Exhibitors were expected to provide these strips, with the typeset captions, to their local newspapers. Offered here is the artwork for strip #5. As such, it is the earliest known published image of King Kong.

Pressbook shown for illustration only, and is not included with the lot.

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