Frank Kelly Freas: Dinosaur Beach Cover Studies

Two original color book cover studies for "Dinosaur Beach," the Keith Laumer time travel science fiction novel first published in 1971. In September 1972, DAW Books published its paperback edition with a commissioned cover painted by Frank Kelly Freas. These two studies were painted in the late 1971 to early 1972 time frame. The first original features a prominent woman's face at the top (reminiscent of Zenya) with a dinosaur in a glowing orb near the bottom. The piece measures 5 3/8 wide at top graduating to roughly 5 1/2 inches wide at bottom by 8 1/2 inches long, painted with tempera on black card stock. In the second study, the approach is a shared full figure female form at top with a dinosaur near the bottom. The piece measures roughly 5 inches wide by 7 5/8 inches long, painted with tempera on heavy textured art board. I acquired these directly from Kelly (sitting in his living room in Virginia Beach) in the summer of 1977, which is when he signed both of them. That's why you see a copyright 77 bullet after his name on the bottom right side. The completed artwork is nicely printed full page in the "As He Sees It" import book published in 2000. Both originals have been stored in archival Mylar and will ship that way. If you are a fan of Kelly Freas artwork or Keith Laumer's writing, these pieces will make an impressive addition to your collection. Kelly Freas died on January 2, 2005. For the pair $1,800