Rural Home

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Ok, near as I can figure here is the organizational layout of the "Universal Comics Group":

Es-Et-Go Magazines was the art shop where L.B. Cole was employed.

Holyoke Printing, Holyoke, Mass. was the print shop

Publishers Distributing Company [PDC symbol on the covers] did the distribution.

All three companies were owned by Frank Z. Temerson and Irving W. Ullman. Aside from their own publications (those commonly refered to as Holyoke or Continental) they would also crank out a lot of dreck for anyone with the cash (and Cole would often toss a cool cover on an otherwise smelly pile of cr*p).

Here is the list of "member companies" for this group (as near as I can puzzle out):

Universal Comics Group

-----------------------------

B. Antin Magazines

D.S. Publishing Co.

E.R. Ross Publishing

L.L. Baird

Almanac Publishing Co.

Bailey Enterprises

Bernard Bailey Enterprises

Bailey Publ. Co.

Carlton

Cima Publications

Circus Comics

Continental Magazines

Continental Publ.

Croyden Publishers

Croyden Publications

Enwil Associates

Et-Es-Go Magazines, Inc.

Farm Women's Publishing (Gail Hillson)

Gerona Publications

Helnit Publ. Co.

Holyoke Publishing Co.

Jay Burtis Publ.

Jay-Jay Corp.

Narrative Magazines

Narrative Publ.

Orbit Publications (owned by Rae Herman, Frank Temerson's secretary)

Our Publishing Co.

Patches Publ.

Public Recreations

Rewl Publications

Rural Home

Special Action

Swapper Quarterly

Swappers Quarterly

Tem Publishing Co.

Toytown Publications

Temerson and Ullman were a shifty pair and it appears they helped Victor Fox protect his cash cow title, Blue Beetle, when Fox was hounded by creditors in 1942. It looks like Fox moved Blue Beetle over to Holyoke (while still maintaining ownership) and then declared bankruptcy. He probably continued to generate an income from this title and used it to help fund his company's rebirth in 1944 (at which point the Blue Beetle transfered back to Fox directly).

Thanks, gifflefunk. Good info.

Just stumbled across this post. Thanks for all the hard to find information. I've been accumulating these suckers for two years or so and bet I have less than a dozen of them.

Here's Variety #2 (copyright 1945 by Croydon Publishing Company, with a mention that all material came from Lloyd Jacquet Studios). As you can see from the splash pages, the title lived up to its name.

Here's one of Rewl Publications Inc., Blazing #3 from September 1944. Artwork by Funnies Inc.

The Green Turtle had a kid sidekick by the name of 'Burma Boy'.

Another really lame name for a character

After a couple more years of mulling through this mess, I finally decided to get things organized (through my Indicia Project). A lot of the companies lumped together previously under "Rural Home" have fallen out of the list I put together two years ago using the PR Publications website data and other sources (like Nolan's article).

In many cases I think prior researchers had lumped books together based on characters that may have appeared on the pages between the covers. So Bernard Baily studio, Funnies Inc., Jason Comic Art studio and Lloyd Jacquet studio material might turn up in the books from several publishers leading one to conclude erroneously that there existed a publication relationship when there was only a relationship between publishers and content providers.

Charlton Comics Group (Charles/Charlton/Childrens/Frank Comunale/Special Action)

Croydon

Holyoke (Continental/Et-Es-Go/Helnit/Holyoke/Nita/Tem)

Universal Comic Group (Baird/Rewl/Rural Home)

Wanted Comic Group (Orbit/Patches/Taffy/Toytown)

Always loved the Eagle #1 cover...that's when I became a Rural Home fan!

GE

Always loved the Eagle #1 cover...that's when I became a Rural Home fan!

 

 

GE

Very sweet comic

I put togther this Rural Home / Croydon checklist a while back using GCD and other sources. I probably far from complete but I thought it was worth putting up here as I included the imprints concerned after the title...

Rural Home /Croydon Publishing Co. 1944 1946 47 Comics

Total Issues Title Start Year End Year Issues Published

1 Atomic Bomb Comics [Jay Burtis Imprint] 1946 1946 1

6 Blazing Comics [baird, Enwil] 1944 1945 1 to 6

6 Blue Circle Comics [baird, Enwil] 1944 1945 6 (Variants Exist)

1 Captain Wizard Comics [Croydon] 1946 1946 1

2 Circus Comics [Farm Women's] 1945 1945 1 to 2

2 Cannonball Comics [Croydon] 1945 1945 1 to 2

2 Eagle Comics [Croydon] 1945 1945 1 to 2

1 Funland Comics [Croydon] 1945 1945 1

2 Laffy-Daffy Comics [Rural Home] 1945 1945 1 to 2

1 Life's Like That [Croydon] 1945 1945 nn

2 Mask Comics [Croydon] 1945 1945 1 to 2

1 Merry Comics [Carlton] 1945 1945 1

1 Merry-Go-Round [Croydon] 1946 1946 1

1 Meteor Comics [baird, Enwil] 1945 1945 1

1 Miss Cairo Jones [Croydon] 1945 1945 1

1 Nebbs, The [Croydon] 1945 1945 1

1 Patches [Enwil,Rural Home] 1945 1945 1 (Later issues by Orbit)

4 Red Band Comics [Enwil, Universal] 1944 1945 1 to 4

4 Red Circle Comics [Enwil, Rural Home] 1945 1945 1 to 4

1 Top Spot Comics [Gerona] 1945 1945 1

1 Triple Threat Comics [Gerona] 1945 1945 1

3 Variety Comics [Rural Home] 1944 1946 1 to 3

1 World Famous Stories Comics [Croydon] 1945 1945 1

1 Zoom Comics [Carlton] 1945 1945 1

Sadly the formatting did not paste too well from my spreadsheet.

Gifflefunk, I take it from your recent posts you now think Croydon was a seperate outfit unconnected to Rural Home?

Earl.

A good thread on this can be found here:

http://goldenagecomics.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1083.0.html

They mentioned/cited stuff I had posted here which is why I wanted to "update" my findings in this thread. JVJ over there has some good information explaining why some things have been erroneously linked together in the past (content provider connection v. publishing connection).

So TNT and Triple Threat are Charlton books even though the same characters appear in Atomic Bomb, Top Spot, K-O Komics, Zoom Comics, and Merry Comics (Baily studio material):

Atomic Bomb (Jay Burtis)

------------------------

Beau Brummell

Special Agent 1

Airmale and Stampy

Teeny Mc Sweeny

Captain Milksop

KO Komics (Gerona)

-------------------

Duke of Darkness

Prof. Jabberwacky

Magnificent Epod

Menace

Merry Comics (Carlton)

----------------------

Bogeyman

Teeny Mc Sweeny

Dr. Mercy

King O'Leary

Snappy Comics (Cima)

--------------------

Special Agent 1

Sorcerer and the Apprentice

Beau Brumell

Airmaile and Stampy

Prof. Jabberwacky

Top Spot (Top Spot)

-------------------

Duke of Darkness

Prof. Jabberwacky

Magnificent Epod

Menace

TNT Comics (Charles Publishing; early Charlton imprint)

----------------------------------------

TNT Murders

Beau Brummell

Yellowjacket

Shnook

Triple Threat Comics (Special Action Comics; early Charlton imprint)

------------------------------------------------------

King O'Leary

Duke of Darkness

Beau Brummell

Menace

Magnificent Epod

Whippet Wilkens

Zoom (Carlton)

--------------

Dr. Mercy

Captain Milksop

Satanas

Bogeyman (text)

King O'Leary

Correct. I no longer believe Croydon to be part of the Universal Comic Group (Baird/Rewl/Rural Home). I don't see any evidence of a connection other than making the assumption that since Lloyd Jacquet Studio did the content for Croydon's Variety Comics series and that Funnies Inc. was a content provider for Universal that the two were somehow related at a publishing level (I'm not even sure if Lloyd Jacquet was still involved with Funnies Inc. in 1944-1946. All signs indicate that he sold Funnies Inc. and started the Lloyd Jacquet Studio).

Have you seen this before. A useful source of publisher data...

Source: From: US Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Juvenile Deliquency.

1955-6. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 77-90720

Information obtained by the subcommitee indicates that, while there are 112 seemingly seperate and distinct corporations engaged in the publication of comic books, these corporations, through such decices as common-stock holders and officer and family ties are in fact owned and controlled by a relatively small group of men and women. Thus the 676 comic-book titles are published by 111 corporations owned by only 121 persons or families in addition to 1 coporation which has many stockholders.

Comic Book Publishers and Comic Book Titles, Spring 1954

A.A. Wyn, Inc. 23 West 47th Street, New York, N.Y. (Ace):

Glamorous Romances, Hand of Fate, Love Experience, Real Love, Web of Mystery

Ace Magazines, Inc., 23 West 47th Street, New York, N.Y. (Ace):

Complete Love, Ten Story Love

Allen Hardy Associates, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Allen Hardy):

Danger, Death Valley, Dynamite, House of Horror, Love and Kisses, Weird Terror

[Earl comments - company more often known as Comic Media)

Animirth Comics Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Adventures Into Weird Worlds, Homer Hooper, Marines in Battle, 3D Action, Riot, Western Outlaws

Archie Comic Publications, Inc., 241 Church Street, New York, N.Y.:

Archie Comics (7 titles), Pep Comics, Wilbur Comics

Aragon Magazines, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Stanley P. Morse):

Mister Mystery

Arnold Publications, Inc., 347 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Quality):

Buster Bear, Marmaduke Mouse

Atlas News Co., Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Buck Duck, Lovers, Police Action

Avon Periodicals, Inc., 575 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Avon):

All True Detective Cases, Eerie, Funny Tunes, Jesse James, Merry Mouse, Peter Rabit,

Peter Rabbit Jumbo Book, Realistic Romance, Romantic Love, Sensational Police Cases,

Space Comics, Space Mouse, Space Thrillers, Spotty The Pup, Super Pup, Wild Bill Hickok

Bard Publishing Corp., 270 PArk Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Patsy Walker

Best Syndicated Features, Inc., 45 West 45th Street, New York, N.Y. (ACG):

Adventures Into The Unknown, The Kilroys, Romantic Adventures

Better Publications, Inc., 10 East 40th Street, New York, N.Y. (Standard):

Exciting War, Popular Romances

Beverly Publishing Co., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y.:

Secret Hearts

Broadcast Features Publications, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Girls' Life, My Friend Irma

Canam Publishers Sales Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Arrow Head, Black Rider, Journey Into Mystery, 3D Tales of the West.

Chipiden Publications Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Human Torch, Strange Tales

Classic Syndicate, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Crazy

Close-Up, Inc., 241 Church Street, New York, N.Y. (Archie):

Archie's Girls Betty & Veronica, Ginger Comics, Katy Keane Comics, Laugh Comics, Super

Duck Comics, Suzie Comics

Comic Combine Corp, 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Men's Adventures, Sub Mariner, The Outlaw Kid

Comic Favorites, Inc., 347 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Quality):

Gabby, Jonesy

Comic Magazines, 347 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Quality):

Blackhawk, Brides Romances, Candy, G.I. Combat, G.I. Sweethearts, Heart Throbs, Love

Confessions, Love Letters, Love Secrets, Plastic Man, T-Man, True War Romances, Web

of Evil, Wedding Bells

Cornell Publishing Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Crime Fighters, Spaceman

Crestwood Publishing Co., Inc., 1790 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Prize):

Black Magic, Young Love

Current Detective Stories, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Navy Action

Dell Publishing Co., Inc., 261 Fifth Avenue, New York N.Y. (Dell):

Monthlies: Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan, Gene Audry Comics, Loony Toons and Merrie

Melodies Comics, Marge's Little Lulu, Roy Rogers Comics, The Lone Ranger, Tom and

Jerry Comics, Walter Lantz New Funnies

Bimonthlies: Bugs Bunny, Carl Anderson's Henry, Cisco Kid, Howdy Doody, Little Iodine,

MGM's Lassie, Porky Pig, Walter Lantz Andy Panda, Walter Lantz Woody Woodpecker

Quarterlies: Ben Bowie & His Mountain Men, Flying A's, Range Rider, Henry Aldrich, Hi-Yo

Silver, I Love Lucy, Indain Chief, Jace Pearson-Texas Rangers, King of the Royal Mounted,

Marge's Tubby, Popeye, Queen of the West-Dale Evans, Rex Allen, Rin Tin Tin, Rootie

Kazootie, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Tom Corbett-Space Cadet, Tonto, Trigger, Tweety

& Sylvester, Walt Kelly's Pogo Possum, Western Roundup, Wild Bill Elliott, Zane Grey's

Picturized Editions

Semi-annuals: Andy Hardy, Beany & Cecil, Bozo the Clown, Buck Jones, Francis The Talking

Mule, Gerald McBoing Boing, Johnny Mack Brown, Krazy Kat, Little Scouts, Max Brand's

Silvertipp, Oswald The Rabbit, Zorro

Annuals: Beetle Bailey, Bugs Bunny (Album, Christmas Funnies, Halloween Parade, Vacation

Funnies, Charlie McCarthy, Daffy, Double Trouble With Goober, Elmer Fudd, Ernest Haycox's

Western Marshal, Flash Gordon, Frosty The Snowman, Gypsy Cult, Jungle Jim, Knights of the

Round Table, Little Beaver, Marge's Little Lulu - Tubby Annual, Milton Caniff's Steve

Canyon, Napoleon, Prince Valiant, Rageddy Ann & Andy, Rhubarb The Millionaire Cat,

Rivets, Rusty Riley, Santa Claus Funnies, Son of Black Beauty, Spike N'Tyke, Super Curcus,

Susie Q. Smith, The Brownies, The Green Hornet, The Little King, The Lone Ranger's

Western Treasury, Tom & Jerry (Summer Fun, Winter Carnival), 3D Flukey Kazootie, 3D

Rootie Kazootie, Uncle Wiggly, Walt Kelly's Pogo Parade, Walter Lantz Woody Woodpecker

Back to School

Educational Comics, Inc., 225 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. (EC):

Mad

Excellent Publications, Inc., 30 East 60th Street, New York, N.Y. (Farrell):

Billy Bunny, Swift Arrow

Fables Publishing Co., Inc., 225 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. (EC):

Haunt of Fear, Two-Fisted Tales, Weird Science-Fantasy

Family Comics, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Casper

Famous Authors, Ltd., 101 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Classics Illustrated):

Classics Illustrated, Junior Series: No. 501-Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs,

No. 502-The Ugly Duckling, No. 503-Cinderella, No. 504-The Pied Piper,

No. 505-Sleeping Beauty, No. 506-The Three Pigs, No. 507-Jack and The Beanstalk,

No. 508-Goldilocks and The Three Bears, No. 509-Beauty and The Beast,

No. 510-Little Red Riding Riding Hood

Famous Funnies Publications, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Famous):

Famous Funnies, New Heroic Comics, Personal Love

Farrell Comics, Inc., 30 East 60th Street, New York, N.Y. (Farrell):

Haunted Thrills, Lone Rider, Strange Fantasy

Fawcett Publications, Inc., 67 West 44th Street, New York, N.Y. (Fawcett):

Captain Marvel Adventures, Funny Animals, Hopalong Cassidy, Lash LaRue, Marvel Family,

Rocky Lane, 6-Gun Heroes, Tex Ritter, This Magazine is Haunted

Feature Publications, Inc., 1790 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Prize):

Frankenstein, Prize Western Comics, Young Brides, Young Romance

Fiction House, Inc., 1658 Summer Street, Stamford Comm. (Fiction House):

Ghost Stories

Fight Stories, Inc., 1658 Summer Street, Stamford Comm. (Fiction House):

Knockout, Monster

Foto Parade, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Battle

Four Star Publications, Inc., 30 East Street, New York, N.Y. (Farrell):

Fantastic Fears, Voodoo

Gem Publications, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Patsy & Hedy

Gilberton Co., Inc., 101 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Classics Illustrated):

Picture Progress (issue monthly during school year)

Gilmor Magazines, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Stanley P. Morse):

Radiant Love, Weird Mysteries

Glen-Kel Publishing Co., 1658 Summer Street, Stamford, Conn. (Fiction House):

Jungle Comics, Kaanga Jungle King

Harvey Enterprises, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Dotty Dripple, First Love, Little Dot

Harvey Picture Magazines, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Little Audry, Warfront

Harvey Publications, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Blondie Comics, Dagwood Comics, Daisy and Her Pups, Tracy Comics, Joe Palooka Comics, Little Max Comics, Sad Sack Comics, Tomb of Terror

Harvey Publications, 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Jiggs & Maggie, Katzenjammer Kids, Rags Rabbit, Riply's Believe It or Not

Headline Publications Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Dixie Dugen, Fighting America, Headline Comics, Justice Traps the Guilty

Hercules Publishing Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Ringo Kid, Spy Cases, Two Gun Kid

Home Comics, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Black CAt, First Romance, Hi-School Romance, Love Problems, Teen Age Brides

I.C. Publishing Co., 225 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. (EC):

Tales FRom The Crypt

Illustrated Humor, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Flip

Interstate Publishing Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Outlaw Fighters, Wild, Young Men

Jay Jay Corp., North Eighth Street, St. Louis, Mo.:

Judo Joe

Joseph A. Wolfert, 32 Broadway, New York, N.Y.:

Algie, Aminal Adventures, Blazing Western, Crime Detector, Police Against Crime

Junior Books, Inc., 23 West 47th Street, New York, N.Y. (ACE):

Crime Must Pay The Penalty

K.K. Publications, Inc., Poughkeepsie, New York, N.Y. (Dell):

Red Ryder Comics, Walt Disney Comics and Stories

Key Publications, Inc., 45 West 45th Street, New York, N.Y. (Stanley P. Morrse):

Hector, Ideal Romance, Peter Cottontails, Weird Chills

Leading Magazines Corp., Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Kid Colt Outlaw

Leverett S. Gleason, 114 East 32d Street, New York, N.Y. (Lev Gleason):

Black Diamond, Boy Illustories, Boy Loves Girl, Buster Crabbe, Crime Does Not Pay,

Crime and Punishment, Daredevil, Lovers Lane, Squeeks

Literary Enterprises, Inc., 100 East 40th Street, New York, N.Y. (Standard):

Buster Bunny, Lucky Duck, Sniffy The Pip, Supermouse

L. L. Publishing Co., Inc., 225 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. (EC):

Crime Suspense Stories, The Vault of Horror

Love Romances Publishing Co., Inc., 1658 Summer Street, Standord, Conn. (Fiction House):

Planet Comics

Magazine Enterprises, 11 Park Place, New York, N.Y. (ME):

Badmen of the West, Best of the West, Cave Girl, Dream Book of Love, Dream Book of

Romance, Durango Kid, Ghost Rider, Great Western, Home Run, Hot Dog, Muggsy Mouse,

Red Fox, Red Hawk, Straight Arrow, Tim Holt (now Red Mask), Undercover Girl,

White Indian

Male Publishing Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Justice, Spellbound, World's Greatest Songs

Manvis Publications, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

True Secrets

Marjean Magazine Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

My Own Romance

Marvel Comics, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Marvel Tales

Master Comics, Inc., 11 East 44th Street, New York, N.Y.:

Dark Mysteries

Mikeross Publications, Inc., 55 West 42d Street, New York, N.Y.:

Get Lost, Heart and Soul

Miss America Publishing Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Miss America

Mystery Publishing Co., Inc. 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Allen Hardy):

All True Romance, Dear Lonely Hearts, Horrific, Noodnik

National Comics Publications, Inc., 430 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Superman-DC):

Action Comics, Adventure Coomics, All American Men of War, All Star Western,

Animal Antics, Batman, Big Town, Bob Hope (The Adventures of), Buzzy, Comic

Cavalcade, Date With Judy, Detective Comics, Everything Happens to Harvey,

Flippety and Flop, Fox and Crow, Funny Folks, Funny Stuff, Gang Buster, Here's Howie,

Hopalong Cassidy, House of Mystery, Leading Comics, Leave it to Binky,

Martin and Lewis, Mr. District Attorney, Mutt and Jeff, Mystery in Space,

Our Army at War, Peter Panda, Peter Porkchops, Real Screen Comics, Rex the

Wonder Dog, Star Spangled War Stories, Strange Adventures, Superboy, Superman,

Tomhawk, Western Comics, Wonder Woman, World's Finest Comics

Newsstand Publications, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Man Comics

Official Magazine Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Battleground, Bible Tales for Young Folk, Little Lizzie, Lorna The Jungle Girl, Mystic,

Wendy Parker

Our Publishing Co., 114 East 32d Street, New York, N.Y.:

Love Diary, Love Journal

Peridical House, Inc., 23 West 47th Street, New York, N.Y. (ACE):

Baffling Mysteries, Love at First Sight

Pflaum, George A., 38 West 5th Street, Dayton, Ohio:

The World Is His Paarish, Treasure Chest of Fuun and Fact

Postal Publications, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Battlefront, Patsy and Her Pals

Premier Magazines, Inc., 11 East 44th Street, New York, N.Y. (PM):

Animal Fun, Horror from the Tomb, Masked Ranger, Nuts, Police Against Crime,

True Love Confessions

Prime Publications, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Captain America, Uncanny Tales

Real Adventures Publishing Co., Inc., 1658 Summer Street, Standord, Conn. (Fiction House):

The Spirit, 3D Sheena, 3D Circus, The First Christmas

Regis Publications, Inc., 45 West Street, New York, N.Y. (ACG):

Cookie Comics, Funny Films, Lovelorn

Ribage Publishing Corp., 480 Lexington Amenue, New York, N.Y.:

Crime Mysteries, Youthul Romances

St. Johns Publications, 545 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Preferred):

Abbott & Costello, Authentic Police Cases, Basil, Bingo The Monkey Doodle Boy,

Crime on the Run, Cinderella Love, Daring Adventures, Diary Secrets, Dinky Duck,

Fightin' Marines, Fly Boy, Gandy Goose, Heckle and Jeckle, House of Terrors,

Invisible Boy, Kid Cowboy, Kid Carrots, Little Eva, Little Ike, Little Roqufort,

Lucy the Real Gone Gal, Mighty Mouse Adventures Stories, Meet Miss Pepper, Mopsy,

Nightmare, North West Mounties, 1,000,000 Years Ago, Paul Terry, Pictoral

Romances, Perfect Love, Romantic Marriage, Teen Age Romances, Teen Age

Temptations, Terrytoons, The Hawk, The Whack, Three Stooges, Tor & CheeChee,

True Love Pictoral, Wartime Romances, Western Bandit Trails, Weird Horrors,

Wild Boy. 3D-series: 9 of the above titles.

Scope Magazines, Inc., 45 West 45th Street, New York, N.Y. (ACG):

Giggle Comics, Ha Ha Comics, Out of the Night.

Signal Publishing Co., 125 East 46th Street, New York N.Y.

Girls' Love Stories, Girls Romances.

Song Hits, Inc., Division Street, Derby, Conn. (CDC):

Atomic Mouse, Cowboy Western, Crime and Justice, Eh! Funny Animals, Haunted, Hot Rods

and Racing Cars, Lash La Rue Western, My Little Margie, Packet Squad In Action,

Rocky Lane Western, Romandtic Story, Six-Gun Heroes, Space Adventures, Strange

Suspense Stories, Sweethearts, Tex Ritter Western, The Thing, True Life Secrets,

TV Teens, Zoo Funnies.

Sphere Publishing Co., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Combat Kelly, Millie the Model Comics.

Sport Action, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Combat Casey.

Standard Magazines, Inc., 10 East 40th Street, New York, N.Y.:

Intimate Love, Thrilling Romances.

Stanhall Publications, Inc., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y.

Briadway-Hollywood Blackouts, Farmers Daughter, G.I. Jane, Muggy Doo, Oh Brother.

Stanmor Publications, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Stanley P. Morse):

Battle Cry.

Star Publications, Inc., 545 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Star):

All Famous Police Cases, Confessions of Love, Confessions of Romances, Frisky Animals,

Fun Comics, Ghostly Weird Stories, Mighty Bear, Popular Teen Agers, Shocking Mystery

Cases, Spool, Startling Terror Tales, Super Cat, Terrifying Tales, Terrors of The

Jungle, The Horrors, The Outlaws, Top Love Stories, True to Life Romances, Unsane.

Sterling Comics, Inc., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y.:

The Informer, The Tormented.

Story Comics, Inc., 11 East 44th Street, New York, N.Y.:

Fight Against Crime, Mysterious Adventures

Timely Comics, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Love Romances, Secret Story Romances

Tiny Tot Comics, Inc., 225 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. (EC):

Panic, Shock Suspence Stories

Titan Publishing Co., 45 West 45th Street, New York, N.Y. (ACG):

Forbidden Worlds, Funny Films, Atomic Sub

Toby Press, Inc., 17 East 45th Street, New York, N.Y. (Toby):

Billy The Kid, Felix and His Friends, Felix The Cat, Gabby Hayes, Great Lover Romances,

He-Man, John Wayne, Johnny Danger, Lil Abner, Meet Merton, Return of the Outlaw,

Sorority Secrets, Super Brat, Tales of Horror, With the Marines

Trogen Magazines, 125 East 46th Street, New York, N.Y.:

Beware

20th Century Comic Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Astonishing Mystery Tales

USA Comic Magazine Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

War Comics

United Feature Syndicate, Inc., 220 East 42d Street, New York, N.Y. (United Feature):

Comics on Parade, Fritizi Ritz, Sparkle Comics, Sparkler Comics, Tip-Top Comics,

Tip Topper Comics

Unity Publishing Corp., 23 West 47th Street, New York, N.Y. (Ace):

The Beyond

Visual Editions, Inc., 10 East 40th Street, New York, N.Y. (Standard):

Adventures into Darkness, Dennis The Menace, Joe Yank, Kathy, New Romances, Out of the

Shadows, Rocky, The Unseen

Western Fiction Publishing Co., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Journey Into Unknown Worlds, Wild Western

Witches Tales, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Harvey):

Chamber of Chills, Witches Tales

Wings Publishing Co., 1658 Summer Street, Standord, Conn. (Fiction House):

Indians, Wings Comics

Zenith Publishing Corp., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (Atlas):

Girl Confessions, The Monkey and The Bear

Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., 366 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y.:

G.I. Joe

ORGANIZATION OF THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES ACCORDING TO DISTRIBUTOR, COMIC GROUP, AND PUBLISHER, IN THE SPRING OF 1954

Ace News Corp., 23 West 47th Street, New York, N.Y.; A.A. Wyn, president; 5 publishers, 11 comic titles.

Comic groups, publiishers, and number of comic-book titles

Ace Fiction Group, 23 West 47th Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: A.A. Wyn, Rose Wyn.

Publisher: Number of titles

A.A. Wyn, Inc. .................................................................................................... 5

Ace Magazines, Inc. ............................................................................................ 2

Junior Books, Inc. ................................................................................................ 1

Peridical House, Inc. ........................................................................................... 2

Unity Publishing Corp .......................................................................................... 1

(The) American News Co., Inc., 131 Varick Street, New York, N.Y.; P. O'Connell, president; 26 publishers, 287 comic titles.

Comic groups, publiishers, and number of comic-book titles

Archie Comic Group, 241 Church Street, New York, N.Y. OPwners: Maurice Coyne, John L. Goldwater, Louis H. Silberkleit.

Publisher: Number of titles

Archie Comic Publications, Inc. ............................................................................. 9

Close-Up, Inc. ...................................................................................................... 6

Dell Comi Group, 264 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: George T., Delacorte, Jr. Margarita Delacorte, 687 stockholders of Wester Printing & Lithopgraphing Co.

Publisher: Number of titles

Dell Comics ......................................................................................................... 88

K. K. Publications, Inc ......................................................................................... 19

Famous Funnies Group, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Stockholder: James H. Darcey, David S. Hibbard, Sylvia S. Hibbard, Eric Pape, William B. Pape, William J. Pape, E. Robert Stevenson, Elizabeth B. Stevenson, Robert I, Stevenson, J. Warren Upson.

Publisher: Number of titles

Famous Funnies Publications ................................................................................. 3

Fiction House, Inc., 1658 Summer Street, Stamford, Conn. Owner: J.G. Scott

Publisher: Number of titles

Fiction House, Inc. ................................................................................................. 1

Fight Stories, Inc. ................................................................................................... 1

Slying Stories, Inc. ................................................................................................. 2

Glen-Kel Publishing Co., Inc. .................................................................................. 2

Love Romances Publishing Co., Inc. ....................................................................... 1

Real Adventures Publishing Co. .............................................................................. 4

Wings Publishing Co., Inc. ...................................................................................... 2

Jay Jay Publications, 316 North 8th Street, St. Louis, Mo. Owners: B.M. Mirsh, R. Grable, R. Messing, Sr., R. Messing, Jr.

Publisher: Number of titles

Jay Jay Corp ........................................................................................................ 1

Magainze Enterprises, 11 Park Place, New York, N. Y. Owner: Vincent Sullivan

Publisher: Number of titles

Magazine Enterprises ........................................................................................... 17

Preferred Comics Group, 545 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owner: Archer St. John

Publisher: Number of titles

St. John Publications ............................................................................................. 55

Quality Romance Group, 347 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Everett M. Arnold, Claire C. Arnold.

Publisher: Number of titles

Arnold Publications, Inc. ......................................................................................... 2

Comic Favorites, Inc. ............................................................................................. 2

Comic Magazines ................................................................................................. 14

Standard Comics Group, 10 East 40th Street, New York, N.Y. Owner: Ned L. Pines.

Publisher: Number of titles

Better Publications, Inc. .......................................................................................... 2

Literary Enterprises, Inc. ......................................................................................... 4

Standard Magazines, Inc. ........................................................................................ 2

Visual Editions, Inc. ................................................................................................ 8

Star Publications, 545 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owner: J. Kramer.

Publisher: Number of titles

Star Publications, Inc. ............................................................................................ 19

Toby Press Group, 17 East 45th Street, New York, N.Y. Owner: Elliott A. Caplin.

Publisher: Number of titles

Toby Press, Inc. ................................................................................................... 16

United Feature Comic Group, 220 East 42d Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: Karl A. Bickel, Winfred Scripps Ellis, Margaret C. Hawkins, W.W. Hawkings, Jack R. Howard, Margaret R. Howard, Roy W. Haward, Charles W. Scripps, Edward W. Scripps, Florence Scripps Kellogg, John P. Scripps, Robert P. Scripps, The Eleen Browning Scripps Foundation.

Publisher: Number of titles

United Feature Syndicate, Inc. ............................................................................... 6

Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., 366 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: B.G. Davis, Sylvia Davis, Amelia Ziff.

Publisher: Number of titles

Ziff-Davis Publishing Co. ....................................................................................... 1

DISTRIBUTOR

Atlas Magazines, Inc., 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y.; Martin Goodman, president; 31 publishers 64 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Magazine Management Co., Marvel Comic Group (Atlas), 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Martin Goodman, Jean Goodman.

Publisher: Number of titles

Animirth Comics, Inc. ............................................................................................. 6

Atlas News Co., Inc. .............................................................................................. 3

Bard Publishing Corp............................................................................................... 1

Broadcast Features Publications, Inc. ...................................................................... 2

Canam Publishers Sales Corp.................................................................................. 4

Chipiden Publishing Corp......................................................................................... 2

Classic Syndicate, Inc. ............................................................................................ 1

Comic Combine Corp.............................................................................................. 3

Cornell Publishing Corp........................................................................................... 2

Current Detective Stories........................................................................................ 1

Foto Parade, Inc. ................................................................................................... 1

Gen Publications, Inc. ............................................................................................ 1

Hercules Publishing Corp........................................................................................ 3

Interstate Publishing Corp....................................................................................... 3

Leading Magazine Corp.......................................................................................... 1

Male Publishing Corp............................................................................................. 3

Manvis Publications, Inc. ....................................................................................... 1

Marvel Comics, Inc. .............................................................................................. 1

Miss America Publshing Corp................................................................................. 1

Newsstand Publications, Inc. .................................................................................. 1

Official Magazine Corp........................................................................................... 6

Postal Publications, Inc. ......................................................................................... 2

Prime Publications, Inc. ......................................................................................... 2

Sphere Publications, Inc. ........................................................................................ 2

Sports Action, Inc. ................................................................................................. 1

Timely Comics, Inc. ............................................................................................... 2

20th Century Comic Corp........................................................................................ 2

USA Comic Magazine Corp.................................................................................... 1

Western Fiction Publishing Corp.............................................................................. 2

Zenith Publishing Corp............................................................................................ 2

DISTRIBUTOR

Capital Distributing Co., Derby, Comm.; Robert A. Baker, circulation director; 1 publisher, 21 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Charlton Comics Group, Division Street, Derby, Comm. Owners: Edward Levy, John Santangelo.

Publisher: Number of titles

Song Hits, Inc. ..................................................................................................... 21

DISTRIBUTOR

Curtis Circulation Co., Independence Square, Philadelphia, Pa; Benjamin Allen, president; 2 publishers, 103 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

William E. Kanter, 101 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Albert L. Kanter, Hal Kanter, Maurice Janter, Rose Kanter, William E. Kanter.

Publisher: Number of titles

Famous Authors, Ltd. ........................................................................................... 10

Gilberton Co., Inc. ................................................................................................ 93

DISTRIBUTOR

Fawcett Publications, Inc., 67 West 44th Street, New York, N.Y.; Roger Fawcett, vice president; 1 publisher, 9 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Fawcett Publications, Inc., Fawcett Place, Greenwich, Conn. Stockholders: Claire Sue Bagg, James Wesley Bagg, Marion Fawcett Bagg, William Bagg, Gordon W. Fawcett, Helen Aline Fawcett, John Fawcett, John Roger, Fawcett, Mary Blair Fawcett, Michael Blair Fawcett, Roger Fawcett, Roscoe K. Fawcett, Marie F. Fawcett, Thomas Knowlton Fawcett, Vivian D. Fawcett, W.H. Fawcettt, Jr., W.H. Fawcett III, William Blair Fawcett, Mrs. Virginia Kerr, (Estate of) Mira King, Gloria Fawcett Leary, Mrs. Eva Roberts.

Publisher: Number of titles

Fawcett Publications, Inc. ...................................................................................... 9

DISTRIBUTOR

Gilberton Co., Inc., 101 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.; William E. Kanter, vice president; 1 publisher, 1 comic title.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Gilberton Co., Inc., 101 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Albert L. Kanter, Hal Kanter, Maurice Kanter, Rose Kanter, William E. Kanter.

Publisher: Number of titles

Gilberton Co., Inc. ................................................................................................. 1

DISTRIBUTOR

Hearst Magazine (International Circulation Division of) 250 West 55th Street, New York, N.Y.; R.E. Haig, vice president; 1 publisher 16 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Avon Comics Group, 575 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Joseph Meyers, Maurice Diamond, Harry Rebell.

Publisher: Number of titles

Avon Periodicals, Inc. .......................................................................................... 16

DISTRIBUTOR

Independent News Co., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y.; Paul H. Sampliner, prsident; 10 publishers, 65 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

American Comics Group, 45 West 45th Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: Fredrick H. Igner, Frances Sanger.

Publisher: Number of titles

Best Syndicated Features ...................................................................................... 3

Regis Publications, Inc. ......................................................................................... 3

Scope Magazines, Inc. .......................................................................................... 3

Titan Publishing Co. .............................................................................................. 3

Beverly Publishing Co., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Gizella F. Frank, Sonia Iger, George H. Levy.

Publisher: Number of titles

Beverly Publishing Co. ........................................................................................... 1

National Comics Group, 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: A. Donenfeld, G. Donenefeld, H. Honenefeld, I. Donenfeld, S. Donenfeld, J.L. Golinko, F. Iger, J.S. Liebowitz, R. Liebowitz. A. I. Menin, P.H. Sampliner, S.U. Sampliner.

Publisher: Number of titles

National Comics Publications, Inc. ......................................................................... 40

Prize Comic Group, 1790 Broadway, New York, N.Y. Owners: Michael M. Bleier, Paul Epstein.

Publisher: Number of titles

Crestwood Publishing Co., Inc. .............................................................................. 2

Feature Publications, Inc. ...................................................................................... 4

Headline Publications, Inc. .................................................................................... 4

Signal Publishing Co., 125 East 46th Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: Avrum Ben-Avi, Irwin Donenfeld, Harry C., Lieb.

Publisher: Number of titles

Signal Publishing Co.............................................................................................. 2

DISTRIBUTOR

Kable News Co., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.; Samuel James Campbell, chairman of board; 11 publishers, 36 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Farrell Comic Group, 30 East 60th Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: Robert W. Farrell, S. Lichtenbert.

Publisher: Number of titles

Excellent Publications, Inc. .................................................................................... 2

Farrell Comic, Inc. ................................................................................................ 3

Four Star Publications, Inc. .................................................................................... 2

Allen Hardy, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Philip Birch, Jerry Feldmann, Allan Hardy, Harry Lutz. Coowner of Mystery Publishing Co., Inc.: Samuel J. Campbell

Publisher: Number of titles

Allen Hardy Associates......................................................................................... 6

Mystery Publishing Co., Inc. ................................................................................. 4

Stanley P. Morse, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners of Aragon, Gilmor and Stanmor: Gilbert Singer, Michael Morse, Stanley P. Morse. Owners of Key: S. Lichtenbert, Stanley P. Morse.

Publisher: Number of titles

Aragon Magazines, Inc. ......................................................................................... 1

Gilimor Magazines, Inc. ......................................................................................... 2

Key Publications, Inc. ............................................................................................ 4

Stanmor Publications, Inc. ...................................................................................... 1

Premier Magazines, Inc., 11 East 44th Street, New York, N.Y. Owner: Lew A. Stricoff.

Publisher: Number of titles

Premier Magazines, Inc. ........................................................................................ 6

Joseph A. Wolfert, 32 Broadway, New York, N.Y. Owner: HJoseph A. Wolfert.

Publisher: Number of titles

Joseph A. Wolfert.................................................................................................. 5

DISTRIBUTOR

Leader News Co., Inc., 114 East 47th Street, New York N.Y.; Michael Estrow, president; 12 publishers, 24 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Entertaining Comics Group, 225 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: William M. Gaines, Jesse K. Gaines. Coowner of Tiny Tot: Virginia E. MacAdie

Publisher: Number of titles

Educational Comics................................................................................................ 1

Fables Publishing Co., Inc. ..................................................................................... 3

I.C. Publishing Co., Inc. ......................................................................................... 1

L.L. Publishing Co. ............................................................................................... 2

Tiny Tot Comics.................................................................................................... 2

Master Comics, Inc., 11 East 44th Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: Michael Estrow and Stanley M. Estrow as agents for Leader News Co.

Publisher: Number of titles

Master Comics...................................................................................................... 1

Mikeross Publications, Inc., 55 West 42d Street, New York, N.Y. Publishers: Ross Andru, Michael Esposito.

Publisher: Number of titles

Mikeross Publications, Inc. .................................................................................... 2

Ribage Publishing Corp., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Michael Estrow and Stanley M. Estrow as agents for Leader News Co.

Publisher: Number of titles

Ribage Publishing Corp. ........................................................................................ 2

Stanhall Publications, Inc., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Michael Estrow and Stanley M. Estrow as agents for Leader News Co.

Publisher: Number of titles

Stanhall Publications, Inc. ...................................................................................... 5

Sterling Comics, Inc., 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. Owners: Sidney Chenkin, Eleanor Grupsmith, Peter V.D. Voorhees, Martin Smith

Publisher: Number of titles

Sterling Comics, Inc. ............................................................................................. 2

Story Comic, Inc., 11 Est 44th Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: William K. Friedman, Morton Myers.

Publisher: Number of titles

Trojan Magazines, Inc. ......................................................................................... 1

DISTRIBUTOR

George A. Pflaum, 38 West 5th Street, Dayton, Ohio; George A. Pflaum, Jr.; 1 publisher, 2 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

George A. Pflaum, 38 West 5th Street, Dayton Ohio. Owners: Mrs. Mary Pflaum Fischer, George A. Pflaum, Sr., Mrs. George A. Pflaum.

Publisher: Number of titles

George A. Pflaum, Publisher.................................................................................. 2

DISTRIBUTOR

Publishers Distributing Corp., 1481 Broadway, New York, N.Y.; I.S. Manheimer, president; 10 publishers, 37 comic titles.

Comic groups, publishers, and number of comic-book titles

Lev Gleason Comics, 114 East 32d Street, New York, N.Y. Owners: Leverett S. Gleason, Garol L. Rosenthal, Edward Rosenthal, Ellen J. Rosenthal, Jane Rosenthal, Judy Rosenthal, Morton Rosenthal, Pat Rosenthal, Peter Rosenthal, Rosalind Rosenthal.

Publisher: Number of titles

Leverett S. Gleason............................................................................................... 9

Harvey Comics Group, Inc., 1860 Broadway, New York, N.Y. Owners: Alfred Harvey, Leon Harvey, Robert B. Harvey.

Publisher: Number of titles

Family Comics, Inc. .............................................................................................. 1

Harvey Enterprises, Inc. ....................................................................................... 3

Harvey Picture Magazines, Inc. ............................................................................ 2

Harvey Publications............................................................................................... 4

Harvey Publications Inc. ....................................................................................... 8

Home Comics, Inc. ............................................................................................... 5

Illustrated Humor, Inc. .......................................................................................... 1

Witches Tales, Inc. ............................................................................................... 2

Our Publishing Co., 114 East 32d Street, New York, N.Y. Owner: Ray R. Hermann.

Publisher: Number of titles

Our Publishing Co.................................................................................................. 2

Sorry but I have forgotten where I picked this up from. It may have been google books?

Thought it might be useful for your project.

Jerry Bails Who's Who is another I use.

Earl.

I have a copy of the report. But it is just a single snapshot of time (1954) and doesn't encompass the years prior to or after the research was done for the report. And as I've discovered over the years, the report isn't 100% accurate either.

Ok, near as I can figure here is the organizational layout of the "Universal Comics Group":

 

Es-Et-Go Magazines was the art shop where L.B. Cole was employed.

Holyoke Printing, Holyoke, Mass. was the print shop

Publishers Distributing Company [PDC symbol on the covers] did the distribution.

 

All three companies were owned by Frank Z. Temerson and Irving W. Ullman. Aside from their own publications (those commonly refered to as Holyoke or Continental) they would also crank out a lot of dreck for anyone with the cash (and Cole would often toss a cool cover on an otherwise smelly pile of cr*p).

 

 

Temerson and Ullman were a shifty pair and it appears they helped Victor Fox protect his cash cow title, Blue Beetle, when Fox was hounded by creditors in 1942. It looks like Fox moved Blue Beetle over to Holyoke (while still maintaining ownership) and then declared bankruptcy. He probably continued to generate an income from this title and used it to help fund his company's rebirth in 1944 (at which point the Blue Beetle transfered back to Fox directly).

These boys were in between Chesler and Centaur Ultem

jb

While digging around for some other information I came across the following which seems to indicate that Croydon Publishing Co. was a J. A. Kramer company (Star Comics):

Publisher Index

If you search for Croydon in the PDF document you'll find several entries that really seem to link Croydon to Kramer and the Star Comics addresses.

Correct. I no longer believe Croydon to be part of the Universal Comic Group (Baird/Rewl/Rural Home). I don't see any evidence of a connection other than making the assumption that since Lloyd Jacquet Studio did the content for Croydon's Variety Comics series and that Funnies Inc. was a content provider for Universal that the two were somehow related at a publishing level (I'm not even sure if Lloyd Jacquet was still involved with Funnies Inc. in 1944-1946. All signs indicate that he sold Funnies Inc. and started the Lloyd Jacquet Studio).

Eagle #1...an L.B. Cole masterpiece and Rural Home-Run IMO!

GE

Humphrey Bogart reading Blue Circle Comics #3 (September, 1944). Art by Harold DeLay: