Set Description
One spring day in 1972, while attending the fourth graded at Frank Eastwood elementary school in Westminster, California, I received, to my memory, my first comic book. It was a Road Runner Kite Fun Book.
While I do remember receiving and reading it, it was until recently while developing a background information about Kite Fun Books that I was able to place receiving it in the proper time line of my interest in comic books. My interest ignited, a few months later I would be enthralled with regular comic books. I remember Superboy, Batman, and most of all Shazam. I continued to be interested in comic books over the years, but other things held more interest for a while.
Skip ahead to 1984. While in Navy boot camp, I suddenly decided to build a collection of Jetsons comic books. I don’t know why, used to like the cartoons. That developed into a near complete collection of Hanna Barbera comic books by the time I left the Navy in 1990. I had built a collection totaling about 940 of the 980 Hanna Barbera comic books issued to date as of the time I left the Navy.
With leaving the Navy, interest changed. I became an employee of Southern California Edison and purchased a home. Most of the comic were disposed of in the late 1990s, first on message boards and then in the early days of eBay. I decided to keep the few Hanna Barbera Kite Fun Books I had, mostly because of all the comics I had tried to hunt down for the Hanna Barbera collection, they had been among the most elusive. Plus, they were from my current employer.
I decided then to build a collection of Kite Fun Books from Southern California Edison. I chose to buy editions from other publishers as fillers until one a copy from SCE could be found. Information was sketch at the time, with the price guide only listing up to 1980. It remains today, incomplete. Information has since been added mostly by books being added.
In 2006 Heritage sold off the Random House archives, which included about 220 Kite Fun Books. Purchasing several lots from Heritage which included multiple copies, usually 6-8 years with a mix of utilities, I found myself while pursuing SCE editions to have a near complete set of PG&E between the other comics in the lots I bought and earlier editions I had previously as fillers.
So, I decided to go all out and go for a complete collection including all variants. Another big addition to the my collection were two lots from Heritage which totaled 22 Kite Fun Books from the collection of Robert Overstreet. These were the copies pictured in the price guide over the years.
Collecting an obscure area has it’s benefits. I have seldom had serious completion on eBay for new variants that come up from time to time. It can also be lonely, collecting what no one else seems to be interested in.
New information seems to come my way frequently while pursuing Kite Fun Books. For example, in 2007 I came across a Reddy Kilowatt product catalog which gave me a glimpse into how these books were distributed. In 2008, besides a new version of Donald Duck come to light (see 1954 books) and a significant variant on Secret Squirrel (see 1966,) I also noticed while typing descriptions that, from 1964 to 1974 there are variations in the number of kite safety rules. All these variants are described in detail in the individual listings.
So, what are Kite Fun Books. They are simply comics given away to children by electric utilities to promote safe kite flying. There are a couple of early, pre Western books of this purpose, followed by the meat of the collection. The core consist of 32 annual giveaways between 1953-1986 created by Western Publishing and use a long stream of characters most will recognize as having become pop culture icons. Following Western demise in the comic field in 1986, at least one utility, SCE, continued similar giveaways. These are also included.
So, is this collection complete? No. While it shows 100% complete, it is only 100% complete for issues which have copies certified by CGC. New, unknown (to me) variants appear on eBay a couple of times a year. Just last week a new variant of The Waltons came up and has been added to my collection. As of today, June 25, 2010, this collection contains 84 of the 101 Western Kite Fun Books I have identified as existing. Of the remaining 17, I have 6 waiting to be sent in to be graded and slots requested. The other 11 remain on my want list. I expect the total of 101 to grow, probably be 110 in two years. But such is the stuff fun collecting is made of.
Of the post Western books, there is at least one additional book from Southern California Edison. I also have a reference from 1993 to Kite Safety Books being available from PG&E. So, hunting continues. The collection will continue to grow.
Two early books may also be appropriate for this collection. Captain Marvel and the Lts of Safety #1 (Danger flies a Kite), 1950, and Reddy Kilowatt #3 (The Space Kite), 1956-1960, however, I have resisted requesting these be added as they will probably fit into the registry under their own series at some point.
| Kite Fun Book nn 1951 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0159743001
|
1.5
| 68 |
| 5/19/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1953 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0162937001
|
4.0
| 210 |
| 5/20/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1953 Florida Power & Light Co. |
0989801004
|
6.5
| 450 |
| 5/20/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1954 Southern California Edison |
0910201012
|
9.0
| 3000 |
| 6/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1954 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0904839001
|
7.5
| 203 |
| 6/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1954 |
0162937002
|
9.0
| 3000 |
| 6/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1955 Southern California Edison |
0159743008
|
9.2
| 510 |
| 5/20/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1955 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0159743015
|
9.8
| 2720 |
| 5/20/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1956 Gulf States Utilities Company |
0159743018
|
9.6
| 750 |
| 6/3/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1956 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0159743017
|
5.0
| 15 |
| 6/3/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1956 Illinois Power Company |
0155111030
|
7.0
| 32 |
| 6/3/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1958 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0147122017
|
8.5
| 60 |
| 6/3/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1958 Florida Power & Light Co. |
0155111003
|
9.6
| 450 |
| 6/3/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1959 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0155111005
|
8.5
| 44 |
| 6/23/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1959 Southern California Edison |
0155111004
|
2.5
| 3 |
| 6/23/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1960 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0147122019
|
5.0
| 7 |
| 6/23/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1960 |
0155111006
|
9.4
| 210 |
| 6/23/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1961 |
0159743020
|
9.4
| 240 |
| 6/22/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1961 Southern California Edison |
0147122020
|
4.5
| 6 |
| 6/22/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1961 Public Service Co. of Colorado |
0155111007
|
3.0
| 4 |
| 6/22/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1962 Southern California Edison |
0147122021
|
7.0
| 13 |
| 6/22/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1962 Florida Power & Light Co. |
0155111008
|
6.5
| 9 |
| 6/22/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1963 |
0155111009
|
8.5
| 67 |
| 6/9/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1963 Florida Power & Light Co. |
0155111010
|
6.0
| 13 |
| 6/9/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1963 Southern California Edison |
0155111012
|
9.4
| 300 |
| 6/9/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1963 Public Service Company of Colorado |
0159743023
|
9.2
| 150 |
| 6/9/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1963 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0155111011
|
9.4
| 300 |
| 6/9/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1964 Southern California Edison |
0147122024
|
9.0
| 65 |
| 6/15/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1964 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0147122025
|
9.4
| 195 |
| 6/15/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1965 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0159743024
|
6.0
| 4 |
| 6/14/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1965 Southern California Edison |
0155111014
|
9.4
| 84 |
| 6/14/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1966 Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Co. |
0159743025
|
6.5
| 15 |
| 6/15/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1966 Southern California Edison |
0147122027
|
9.6
| 500 |
| 6/16/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1966 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0155111018
|
3.5
| 6 |
| 6/15/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1966 Secret Squirrel/Reddy/SCE |
0155111017
|
7.5
| 25 |
| 6/15/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1967 |
0155111019
|
9.4
| 96 |
| 6/16/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1967 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0159743026
|
6.5
| 5 |
| 6/16/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1967 Southern California Edison |
0147122028
|
7.0
| 7 |
| 6/16/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1968 Florida Power & Light Co. |
0159743027
|
4.5
| 3 |
| 6/23/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1968 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0155111020
|
8.5
| 23 |
| 6/23/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1968 Southern California Edison |
0155111021
|
9.6
| 175 |
| 6/23/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1969 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0754494017
|
9.6
| 325 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1969 Southern California Edison |
0754494011
|
9.6
| 325 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1969 |
0754494006
|
9.4
| 195 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1970 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0754384001
|
9.6
| 475 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1970 Southern California Edison |
0754384013
|
9.4
| 285 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1971 |
0754493018
|
9.6
| 150 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1971 Southern California Edison |
0754493015
|
9.6
| 150 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1971 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0754493020
|
9.4
| 90 |
| 6/2/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1972 Southern California Edison |
0754491015
|
9.6
| 130 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1972 |
0754491010
|
9.4
| 78 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1972 Missouri Public Service Company |
0155111026
|
8.5
| 17 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1972 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0754230015
|
9.6
| 130 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1973 |
0155111027
|
3.0
| 2 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1973 Kansas City Power & Light Co. |
0159743029
|
5.5
| 5 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1973 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0754402017
|
9.6
| 225 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1973 Southern California Edison |
0754402005
|
9.8
| 360 |
| 6/1/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 |
0754402002
|
9.4
| 96 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 Kansas City Power & Light Co. |
0754401020
|
9.6
| 160 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power Co. |
0754402003
|
9.6
| 160 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 Public Service Co. of Colorado |
0754490004
|
9.4
| 96 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 Missouri Public Service Company |
0155111028
|
9.0
| 32 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 Southern California Edison |
0754231002
|
9.6
| 160 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 San Diego Gas & Electric Co. |
0754401002
|
9.4
| 96 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1974 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0754401016
|
9.4
| 96 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1975 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0158784001
|
9.4
| 54 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1975 Southern California Edison |
0149311002
|
9.2
| 27 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1976 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0149311004
|
9.8
| 400 |
| 5/26/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1976 Southern California Edison |
0754489002
|
9.6
| 250 |
| 5/26/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1977 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0754493003
|
9.8
| 240 |
| 5/27/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1977 Winnipeg/Manitoba Hydro |
0754493010
|
9.6
| 150 |
| 5/26/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1977 Southern California Edison |
0775543013
|
9.8
| 240 |
| 5/26/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1978 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0158784011
|
9.4
| 105 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1978 Southern California Edison |
0158784009
|
9.8
| 280 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1978 Florida Power & Light Co. |
0754492015
|
9.4
| 105 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1978 Winnipeg/Manitoba Hydro |
0159743030
|
9.0
| 35 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1979 Southern California Edison |
0158784030
|
9.8
| 240 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1979 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0149311009
|
9.6
| 150 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1980 Iowa Southern Utilities |
0158784012
|
9.2
| 45 |
| 6/8/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1980 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0149311011
|
9.6
| 150 |
| 6/8/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1982 Southern California Edison |
0158784013
|
9.6
| 110 |
| 6/14/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1984 Road Runner/SCE |
0149311014
|
9.0
| 16 |
| 6/16/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1984 Smokey Bear/SCE |
0149311013
|
9.6
| 80 |
| 6/7/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1986 Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
0149311015
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 6/16/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1986 |
0158784019
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 12/10/2009 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1987 |
0158784020
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 12/10/2009 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1988 |
0158784021
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 12/10/2009 |
| Kite Fun Book nn No Date |
0158784022
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1990 |
0158784023
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 6/16/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1991 |
0158784024
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1992 |
0158784025
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 12/10/2009 |
| Kite Fun Book nn 1993 |
0158784026
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 5/25/2010 |
| Kite Safety Book nn 1995 |
0158784027
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 12/10/2009 |
| Kite Safety Book nn 1997 |
0158784028
|
9.4
| 42 |
| 12/10/2009 |
| Kite Safety Book nn 1998 |
0158784029
|
9.8
| 112 |
| 12/10/2009 |