The San Onofre Collection
Kite Fun Book nn 1954 Pacific Gas and Electric Company

COMIC DETAILS

Comic Description: Kite Fun Book #nn Apparent SP
Grade: 7.5
Page Quality: OFF-WHITE
Certification #: 0904839001
Owner: San Onofre Collection

SET DETAILS

Winning Set: The San Onofre Collection
Date Added: 8/2/2008
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Carl Barks<br /><br />If there is one thing to be said about the 1954 Kite Fun Book, it is Carl Barks. Because this year a Donald Duck story was used that was written by him, this book is the most famous, and desired, Kite Fun Book of the whole genre.<br /><br />The proper name for this book is “Donald Duck tells about Kites.” The name “Kite Fun Book” has been applied in later year as it was recognized as the second in a series of books which later used the name “Kite Fun Book.”<br /><br />And what a story this book has. Heritage has noted when selling this book that back in 1977, a single copy had a higher price guide value than a complete run of Amazing Spiderman. I seem to remember both PG&E and SCE editions being in the Top 20 most valuable comics at the time. Can’t find that reference right now. <br /><br />What has happened in the 33 years since then. While I this book hasn’t dropped in price, it has remained obscure. Other comics have continued to move forward. But Carl Barks art will ensure this book is never forgotten. I was surprised visiting Italy and seeing on the newsstand in 2010 comic books featuring Carl Barks Donald Duck stories, these right next to Time magazine in a honored place.<br /><br />So, what do we know about this book. It has taken many years and different researchers to pull together the various bits of data out there. With little bits of data to go on, some bad conclusions may have been drawn. <br /><br />Michael Barrier recently provided information from Disney royalty payments that show the total number of this comic is 830,000. <br /><br />My current hypothesis is that there are 3 versions of the artwork. They are the SCE version, the PG&E version, and a generic version. All were created concurrently. There are 3 identified variants of the generic version, making a total of 5 comics required for a complete set.<br /><br />Here is a summary of critical dates:<br /><br />June 17th, 1954: First version created (8 pages), probably the "Generic" Version. Carl Barks paid for 8 pages of drawing<br />July 8th, 1954: Carl Barks paid for inking 7 pages and providing 8 additional pencil panels. This most likely provided the building blocks needed for all three versions.<br />Nov 29, 1954: Date on receipt stamp on Generic (blank indicia box) copy (in registry)<br />Feb 5, 1955: Date on PG&E Library copy <br /><br />About this copy. This copy, with a Pacific Gas and Electric library stamp dated 2/5/1955, is one of three from PG&E currently certified. It has been restored somewhat, so would probably be considered the lowest of the certified copies. To me, it ranks higher because of the history lesson provided by the library stamp. Two copies in the census are listed under (Publisher: Western) Kite Fun Book and a third is listed under (Publisher: Pacific Gas and Electric) Donald Duck tells about Kites.<br /><br />What makes this edition unique is panels 7.1,7.4,7.4 and 8.3 which differ to introduce and summerize a total of eight kite flying safety rules instead of the seven in all the other variants.
 
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