Lot 96258: GEORGE ROZEN (American, 1895-1974) The Shadow

GEORGE ROZEN (American, 1895-1974) The Shadow cover, March 1932 Oil on canvas 21.5 x 20.5 in. Signed lower left This image appeared on the March 1932 cover of The Shadow, the eighth issue, and is the earliest Shadow pulp cover painting known to exist. "The Shadow knows. The weed of crime bears bitter fruit, but none more deadly than the criminal genius called the Black Master. Clearly it's a case for the Shadow to uncover this emperor of evil who has turned New York into a city of fear. Not since Sherlock Holmes locked wits with Professor Moriarity have there been such formidable opponents on the battlefield of crime. The Shadow, the elusive voice in the night whose mocking laughter haunts all who have ever heard it: the man of many faces who is all things to all people in the name of justice. And the Black Master whose invisible hand kills the very men who serve him, leaving no trace, no quarter, not even an ounce of pity. Only terror, and a black metal tag which promises more to come. The Shadow vs. the Black Master -- two mysterious legends, equally matched, in a contest of giants. The Shadow. A strange creature clad in black, with the power to cloud men's minds which he learned in the Orient, and a mocking laugh which is the avenger's chilling note of triumph. The Shadow is one of the most exciting suspense figures of all time." From the Estate of Charles Martignette.