ROBERT KENNEDY ABBETT (American, b. 1926). John Carter of Mars #4, Thuvia, Maid of Mars, rare variant paperback cover, c...

Description

ROBERT KENNEDY ABBETT (American, b. 1926)
John Carter of Mars #4, Thuvia, Maid of Mars, rare variant paperback cover, c. 1963
Mixed media on board
28.75 x 19.5 in.
Not signed
This illustration appeared on the cover of the fourth book of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars series, Thuvia, Maid of Mars. However the history of this cover is unique -- it is the only John Carter cover painted by Bob Abbett that was not used for the 1963 editions (only the last book of the John Carter of Mars series was published in 1965). This painting was considered too risqué for publication in 1963, so a new cover was created and used for the title. This piece, the variant cover, though created in 1963, was not published until the 1969 edition of the book (Ballantine #01524), and it is considered to be not only the cover of choice by collectors, but an exceedingly uncommon edition of the book.

From the Collection of Betty Ballantine.

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