'Carriers of the New Black Plague', 1938 Pictorial Map.
Chicago, IL: Ken Magazine, 1938. 1st Edition. Quarto. Near Fine. Item #13495
"Caught here in all their peculiar beauty by the soul searching stylus of W. Cotton, Ken holds up for wonder the mangy motley pack of little "strong men" who are now leading the world on a backward march to the Dark Ages".
So begins the caption underneath Cotton's iconic pictorial map of the world-takeover by ruthless dictators during the Great Depression. The map is the centerfold piece and highlight of the short-lived 'Ken' magazine's inaugural issue, which also features a 1st Printing of Ernest Hemingway's anti-fascist manifesto "The Time Now, The Place Spain".
Cotton's original pastel features a world map, coded by color, depicting the countries across the globe where dictatorship reigns, as well as those in transition, and those where freedom reigns supreme.
Leading the authoritarian charge along the bottom are Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, and Japanese emperor Hirohito. In the upper right is Josef Stalin of the U.S.S.R.
Ken magazine was monumentally ahead of its time, featuring world class artists and authors throughout its short run of promulgating anti-right diatribe. Hemingway was involved in the first fourteen issues, contributing articles from the Spanish Civil War.
In beautiful condition, this offering includes the entire magazine. A touch of rubbing and light wear.. The interior is clean and bright and also features glorious 1930s art deco advertising.
A superior edition.
Price: $175.00