Lot # 1659: 1933 Street & Smith The Shadow #37 Pulp Magazine - CGC 6.0 - Only Graded Example

There can be only one collector to own a CGC graded example of this 1933 Street & Smith The Shadow #37 (volume 7, #1) pulp magazine. That's because this is the only copy of this issue CGC has graded to date, making it by default the highest graded example as well.

Though there are exceptions, pulps typically max out a grade of 6.0. Graced with a vibrant, captivating cover, this one hits the nail on the head, with a CGC grade of 6.0, Cream to Off-White Pages. The colorful cover pictures vigilante hero The Shadow entangled in a net, setting the table for a thrilling escape. Issues from the Shadow's first year of print in 1931, are quite scarce, and issues from 1932-1934 are cited as uncommon. Dated September 1, 1933, this issue falls squarely in the uncommon date range.

Though CGC's label cites "Right Edge of Cover Trimmed", it should be noted the practice of trimming pulps was common among 1930s readers, as these colorful magazines were published with overhanging edges during this period, that quickly became ragged, and for many unappealing. The fact that this pulp was placed in a Universal Grade holder rather than a Restored or Qualified holder, suggests the edge trimming is organic in nature, and was likely performed long ago, rather than being malicious tampering performed recently. Label notes credit the creators as "Cover by George Rozen, Tom Lovell art, Walter B. Gibson story".