Al Williamson, Edgar Rice Burroughs Portfolio Plate, John Carter of Mars: The Warlord
Artist: Al Williamson (All)
30 Comments - 4,256 Views - 10 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI fell in love with this piece when I first saw it as the back dust cover for Al Williamson Adventures. It’s an honor to own such a fine example of Al’s work. It’s an amazing piece of art that I love staring at every day. I really love Al Williamson!This piece is a special piece for me. I've loved Al Williamson's work since i was in middle school. It started for me with Classic Star Wars (darkhorse), which was a reprint of all of Al and Archie's Star Wars strips, and I bought a number of their issues from the old Marvel runs around that time too. I was going to UNCG, studying applied economics. My local comic shop owner John over at Parts Unknown, which is a top notch shop by the way. John is great! He usually carries all of Al's work. EC, Warren, Flash Gordon!! I read all of it. One day John said hey you should check out the new compilation we just got and pointed to Al Williamson Adventures. It's a bunch of really really killer pulp stories that he did for various publications. I fell in love with that book instantly. It’s still the coolest comic I own. And this was one of the images I wanted most. In fact when I decided that I was going to start buying art... I literally went on HA.com and searched “Al Williamson” hoping that I would find this page, but not thinking I would... but holy shit it was right there! Hot damn it was going to be mine! I went into this piece willing to fight for it. I was so excited when I won it. This is the first piece I've bought that required this much to acquire. It's a reminder of that time when i was really trying to make something of myself. And I was learning so much about comic books, and the history of comics at the same time. I spent a lot of time down at Parts Unknown with my buddy Anders talking to John about comics and art. John Hitchcock is one of the best teachers you could ask for in the subject. Comics wouldn't be the same for me without him. I really hope to bring this piece down to show him sometime this year. The piece itself is f'ing awsome! it's nice and big 11 x 14 Bristol Board. And it's flawless. Before being back cover for AW Adventures. It was published as a porfolio plate in the Edgar Rice Burroughs Portfolio (1974). The image is of John Carter protecting Dejah Thoris from a Barsoomian Thark Warlord. I will always love Al's work. I really wish I had got the opportunity to meet him in person. Thanks Al, and I hope I didnt bore the crap out of you guys in posting what this art means to me. I’ve done some research since acquiring this piece. It was made available as part of Edgar Rice Burroughs Portfolio in 1974 along with illustrations by Bernie Wrightson, Jeff Jones, Dan Green, and Mike Kaluta. I’d like to thank Bill Hillman and the ERB webzine for making that information available on their wonderful website. http://www.erbzine.com/mag53/folio2.jpg. He also has a theory that it may have been originally commissioned as an illustration for the Canaveral Warlords of Mars edition that never happened due to the company folding. We are currently lacking any proof of that being the case, but heritage thought the idea held merit. If anyone has any shareable info it’s truly appreciated. This is my favorite piece in my collection. a quote written by Al Williamson in ERB fanzine: The books that were given to Reed Crandall and me to illustrate have been done completely by Reed as I have been so busy with close deadline work. I've been assigned Warlord of Mars and am rereading the book now. I'm going to try to do more than the scheduled six illustrations for the book. According to Dick Lupoff, Canaveral will be publishing the complete set of John carter books. Reed and I will illustrate them, together or individually, depending upon the deadlines. Not definitive proof, but another piece of evidence as to the potential origin of this piece. 6th Place in CAFs Best of: Published Splashes / Pinups Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 1/21/2019
I'm certain that this was not done for Canaveral. Al's style had changed between the Canaveral books and this illustration done for the EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS PORTFOLIO. Congratulations on obtaining such a beautiful piece of art!
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 1/21/2019
Ray Cuthbert wrote:
I'm certain that this was not done for Canaveral. Al's style had changed between the Canaveral books and this illustration done for the EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS PORTFOLIO. Congratulations on obtaining such a beautiful piece of art!
Hey Ray, Thanks for the comments. I agree it is absolutely beautiful.. I have this piece in the one place in my house that I stare at it most. It's a grail for me. I honestly can't believe I own it.
For any of you who havent seen the portfolio check out the link to it that i put in the description of the piece. It's freaking killer. So much talent in that one portfolio. There's also an image in one of the Al Williamson links on the site of a pencil prelim for this illustration. It's interesting to me to see what he changed between prelim and finished work.
I'll offer a set of circumstances that could potentially add opposition to your view. I'm an analyst i love debates ... and we're all comic / art nerds here!
So, Bill's (Hillman) theory was that this was toward the end of Canaveral. When they were already onto reprinting the works they'd previously published, and they hadnt had a fresh publication for quite some time. That would have been right around 1974 when the portfolio was published. It also fits because for some reason Warlords of Mars had not been previoiusly released by Canaveral. So my line of thinking was that they were trying to revitalize themselves by offering something new. They were in need of the revitalization for sure. I'm not quite sure why that hadn't finished the run of the Barsoom series before that anyway.
Now I will restate that I dont have any concrete proof. Bill has been looking through his records. He was involved with Canaveral. So for me it's just kind of a neat legend about the coolest (in my opinion) piece of art that I own.
Knave Musikspieler
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/17/2019
I am a big fan of Al Williamson too, and this is a perfect example of his brilliance. That Thark is the highlight for me.
Andy Robbins
Member Since 2003
Posted on 4/5/2019
Your cost per year of owning this personal highlight will be 1/2 in two years, 1/3 in three and 1/10 in ten. That's the math of a grail, and the reason it always pays to bleed a little pain up front if necessary.
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 4/5/2019
Andy Robbins wrote:
Your cost per year of owning this personal highlight will be 1/2 in two years, 1/3 in three and 1/10 in ten. That's the math of a grail, and the reason it always pays to bleed a little pain up front if necessary.
Couldn't agree more. If it's something you really, really love then just go for it.
My enjoyment of this piece has only increased with time, but the cost keeps dividing as you said.
Roger K. 
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 5/16/2019
Fantastic! What an epic piece of art!
Robbie Cook
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 5/21/2019
This has to be one of the most intricate Al Williamson pieces I’ve ever seen. Top notch stuff! Congrats!
Matthias .
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 2/12/2020
Incredible beautiful piece of art! Al Williamson was such a master!
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 2/13/2020
Classy and outstanding! But, hey, that's Al Williamson, right?
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 2/13/2020
Al Simpleton wrote:
Classy and outstanding! But, hey, that's Al Williamson, right?
That is exactly Al Williamson! To a "T"
Benno Rothschild
Member Since 2003
Posted on 2/14/2020
Outstanding! Great example of why Williamson is one of the pantheon of greats in this hobby
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 2/14/2020
Benno Rothschild wrote:
Outstanding! Great example of why Williamson is one of the pantheon of greats in this hobby
Thanks man! Benno you have got to come see this one in person when you're in town this summer. It's a must!
JOE JUSKO
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/16/2020
I was bidding on this. Congrats!! Terrific piece!!
Mark Howland
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/16/2020
An alarmingly beautiful pick-up! Thank you for posting.
John Stuart
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 3/19/2020
Hello Keith,
Just saw your first post regarding the CFA APA, welcome to our happy band of brothers. Fantastic piece of art by one of my favourite artists.
Cheers John
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 3/19/2020
John Stuart wrote:
Hello Keith,
Just saw your first post regarding the CFA APA, welcome to our happy band of brothers. Fantastic piece of art by one of my favourite artists.
Cheers John
Thanks John, I appreciate the welcome, sir! This was one of my very favorite ever Williamson pieces, who's one of my favorite all time artists too... he and Bernie are my two absolute favorites. When i saw this piece was available; just had to have it!
Thanks again,
~Keith
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 3/23/2020
Striking image of John Carter! Really captures what the books are all about! Congrats!
Suzanne Rugar
Member Since 2021
Posted on 4/17/2021
My husband was the model for the protector in this picture. It was done in Callicoon PA. . Al gave him print number 54. Al ‘s wife Arlene is the model for the woman.
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 4/17/2021
Suzanne Rugar wrote:
My husband was the model for the protector in this picture. It was done in Callicoon PA. . Al gave him print number 54. Al ‘s wife Arlene is the model for the woman.
Oh wow! Nice to meet you Suzanne. Thank you. I've been desperate to learn as much as I can about the origin of this piece. I'd like to firect message you later. Do you still have the print? Were you close friends of the Williamsons?
Suzanne Rugar
Member Since 2021
Posted on 4/17/2021
Keith Becker wrote:
Oh wow! Nice to meet you Suzanne. Thank you. I've been desperate to learn as much as I can about the origin of this piece. I'd like to firect message you later. Do you still have the print? Were you close friends of the Williamsons?
Yes George still has the print. He would be be very willing to share what he knows. I did not know the Williamson’s . George was working in that area for a summer job during college break on the railroad and became friends with them. Direct messaging is fine.
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
Posted on 7/6/2021
Phenomenal! Love your history with it and the acquisition story!
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 6/26/2022
Doug Pflueger wrote:
This is fantastic!
Thanks Doug!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
Posted on 9/3/2022
Al was at his peak powers here. I love the layers he was able to achieve around the central figure through the use of negative space and his impeccable inking techniques.
Keith Becker
Member Since 2018
Posted on 9/3/2022
Timothy Finney wrote:
Al was at his peak powers here. I love the layers he was able to achieve around the central figure through the use of negative space and his impeccable inking techniques.
Those layers really give it a 3d quality especially in person. Very much at the height of his powers! Glad you enjoy it Timothy!
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