I Am Legend (11/54) - I Vampiri, the first Italian translation and first world hardcover edition of the novel (Longanesi, 1957)

Italy was the first country to release Matheson's novel in hardcover, just three years after it debuted as a Gold Medal paperback original in the United States. 

The cover art, by Ray Johnson, isn't exactly what you would expect to see on a novel about the last man alive in a world of vampires. If you think it might have been better served on the cover of one of Gold Medal's more common crime titles, well...

It didn't take me too long to track down the original appearance of the Johnson artwork on Norbert Fagan's One Against the Odds (Gold Medal #382), which had been published a few months prior to I Am Legend (Gold Medal #417) in 1954. That fact led me to wonder if Gold Medal had perhaps sent Longanesi the wrong cover art for the book. One thing I haven't seen is another book from Longanesi using Meltzoff's I Am Legend painting on the cover (and yes, I've searched for it). Whatever the cause of what I have to assume was an error, I'm thrilled to have both this edition and Norbert Fagan's Gold Medal paperback (with the I Am Legend cover painting) in the archive.  

Its significance as the first world hardcover edition of the novel (the first English language hardcover edition was still 13 years away at thus point) cannot be understated.

It's also worth noting that the title of this first Italian translation, I Vampiri (The Vampires) was also used in 1957 on the Italian horror film directed by Riccardo Freda. The book's specific release date is unknown, but I imagine it followed the April release of the film. 

I Vampiri remained the title of record for subsequent Italian editions released in 1972 (hardcover and paperback), 1989, 1991, and 1993. It wasn't until 1996 when Italian editions switched to the literal translation of 'I Am Legend' with Io Sono Leggenda (which, going back to 1957, was always the last line in the novel).

Come back next week for another unique specimen from the I Am Legend Archive!

 

Creature from the Black Lagoon (11/54) - "The Creature" Dell Comic 2nd Printing (1964)

 

I was quite pleased to find a copy of this elusive Creature comic book from Dell a few years back, even if only a second printing, as it was in relatively good condition and reasonably priced. The cover painting is by Vic Prezio, who did a lot of paperback and magazine illustration work, including a number of Warren magazines such as Famous Monsters of Filmland (Curse of the Demon on issue #38), Monster World (a Creature portrait on issue #4), Creepy and Eerie. 

Bob Jenney's interior art is not quite as impressive. 

Still, one could argue that the Creature fares better than Julia Adams.

Check back next week for another item from my Creature collection!

Godzilla (10/54) - Rick Lucey hand-painted ceramic tile (2016)

The first Rick Lucey original I ever purchased was this 4" x 4" tile I saw at the first Creature Features Convention I attended. 

In stark contrast to his black and white Creature from the Black Lagoon painting that I showcased previously, this one caught my eye immediately due to its vibrant red background, and through the colors Lucey used to highlight the details in Godzilla's scales. I love this depiction of Godzilla.

 Check back next week for more from my Godzilla collection!

I Am Legend (10/54) - Warner Brothers Production Made Set Decoration Posters (2007)

When I Am Legend was in production, the first reports I read on Ain't It Cool News showed some of the posters that were being posted around New York City. This one in particular caught my eye, and I hoped the one day I might be able to find a copy. 

I was fortunate to find quite a few production made posters, including a variety of Quarantine posters (the one about infected dogs can be clearly seen in the film).

This large poster was one of my favorites designed for the film. As you can see it's got a small tear, but beggars can't be choosers (and the tear made it much more affordable!). Note the 2009 dates (the film was released in December, 2007).

The next two pieces are fake band posters that were also displayed. Again, note the 2009 date on the "Am I Violent?" poster.

I was also pleased to pick up this multi-lingual Biohazard poster. 

The following are a handful of smaller replica flyers that I also picked up on eBay, just to have examples of these variants in the archive.

Check back next week to see more items from the I Am Legend Archive!

Creature from the Black Lagoon (10/54) - Rick Lucey Original Swimming Creature Painting (2022)

I was familiar with Rick Lucey's art from seeing him at numerous conventions that I've worked at and attended. I had picked up a Godzilla piece from him previously (watch for that if you're following the Godzilla items in this 54 series!), and when I saw this particular piece rendered in black and white at an extremely affordable price, I had to pick it up. It's a smaller piece, approximately 6" x 8", and I particularly liked that it wasn't just another photo-realistic rendering of yet another all-too-familiar production photo. 

Check back next week for another item from my Creature collection!

Godzilla (9/54) - Aurora Glow-in-the-Dark Model Kit Box, Instructions and non-glowing pieces (1972)

If memory serves, this was the first version of Aurora's Godzilla that I was exposed to. I'm pretty sure this is the version my brother Joe built. I think I finally built my own when Monogram re-issued the kit later in the 70s. But I have a nostalgic appreciation for the glow-in-the-dark square box. So, when I saw this at a toy show at a very reasonable price, I picked it up. 

What's cool is that still in the box were the duplicated pieces in their non-glow versions — Godzilla's hands, feet, spines, tail and head. 

It also included the 1972 version of the instructions.

Godzilla has been reissued many times since, and I've got a few, including this long box version...

And this currently available square box glow kit, which I also picked up so that one of these days I can build up my very own glow version.

Check back next week to see more from my Godzilla collection!

I Am Legend (9/54) - Harry O. Morris Signed 1/1 Artist Proof Art Prints (2009/2024)

 

Original I Am Legend artwork doesn't come up for sale very often, and those pieces I've been able to acquire are very special items in the Archive. While I have search want lists on auction sites should any vintage pieces materialize (which does happen from time to time, as you'll see before the year is out), I also keep an eye out when new publications are released, in case artwork may be available. 

Artist Harry O. Morris first came to my attention when I saw the illustrations he did for R.C. Matheson's first collection, Scars and Other Distinguishing Marks, from Scream/Press in 1987. He went on to be Richard Matheson's artist of choice on numerous publications through Gauntlet Press. In 2008, Gauntlet published Visions Deferred, containing three unproduced screenplays by Matheson, including his own adaptation of I Am Legend. For the cover, Harry did a piece inspired by Stanley Meltzoff's original artwork for the Gold Medal first edition, with Robert Nevill standing at the rim of the pit. I appreciated the callback, and reached out to Harry to see if I could acquire a print of his digital art. Harry was very accommodating, not only generating and signing the 13" x 19" print; he also designated it AP (Artist Proof) 1 of 1. 

In 2012, Gauntlet released the Matheson screenplay as a standalone volume. Edited by my friend and Matheson scholar Mark Dawidziak, I had the honor of providing cover art and stills (from the adaptations of the novel) from my archive. Harry O. Morris once again provided an alternate take on the Meltzoff cover. Only this time, despite my intentions to do so, I didn't reach out to Harry right away.

Flash forward to 2024. I'm working with R.C. Matheson on an expanded reissue of his third short story collection, Zoopraxis, for which Harry provided the original art. In addition to the new stories, R.C. wanted to include some additional new artwork, and that put me back in touch with Harry after 15 years. I reminded him that I had purchased the first print, and asked if he would be so kind to do the same with the second cover, and he graciously agreed. That makes this the newest addition to the archive to be included amongst this year's celebratory offerings. Also 13" x 19" and signed/designated AP 1/1 so I have a matching pair.

I love how the two pieces complement each other, as well as the original cover to I Am Legend. And I know Harry is pleased to have them alongside the other pieces that reside in the archive.

Check back next week for more from my I Am Legend archive!

Creature from the Black Lagoon (9/54) - Universal Classic Science Fiction Filmscripts Volume 2 (1992)

This is one of the most important Creature from the Black Lagoon books in my library, with numerous photos (many of which I had never seen before owning this volume), a detailed production background by Tom Weaver, an interview with on-land Creature actor Ben Chapman, an Arthur Ross script draft, and a reproduction of the original publicity pressbook. 

Upon acquiring this book, I realized that I wanted this kind of volume for all of the movies I loved. 

Check back next week for another item from my Creature collection!

Godzilla (8/54) - Bullmark Zinclon Die-Cast Godzilla (1975)

This is a vintage Japanese Godzilla from Bullmark, molded in die-cast metal with a variety of unique features (particularly for Godzilla!). I am not the original owner, and lucked into this incomplete (albeit attractive) rarity for a very reasonable price some years ago. A few different color variations were produced in the handful of years that these were available; I believe a brownish version preceded this green version by a few years. 

Godzilla's jaw open as you turn his head to the left or right — a bump under his chin causes it to close when turned face-forward.

Here's where it gets interesting. His chest opens out, revealing an interior where a small plane once resided, as well as several missiles that could be fired from two spring-loaded slots by pressing the red levers on his back. 

There is also a telescoping feature that represents... well... I don't exactly know what that's supposed to represent. I guess we'll just have to assume that Godzilla is happy to see you. 

While I wouldn't mind having a complete, boxed example, these can get very pricey. (A decapitated one is currently on eBay for more than $100!)

There are several other Godzilla characters in this Bullmark series — I'd particularly like to pick up the die-cast Gigan that my friend Mark had growing up. But those tend to run even higher than Godzilla!

 Check back next week when I'll feature yet another item from my Godzilla collection.