ADVENTURE BOUND #No. 238
Dell Publishing Co. • Dell Four Color #238
Writer
Unknown
Interior Artist
Dan Spiegle
Cover Artist
Unknown (Standard Dell house style)
Publication Date
August 1949
Cover Variant
Regular/A Cover
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
This issue is an adaptation of the adventure story 'The Black Arrow' by Robert Louis Stevenson. It features characters from the classic historical novel set during the Wars of the Roses in England. It belongs to the massive 'Four Color' anthology series which Dell used to test new properties.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good/Very Good (CGC 3.0)
Condition Details
Visible heavy spine roll, significant spine stress with potential splitting at the top, rounded corners, creasing across the bottom right, tanning and peripheral soiling on the covers, and slight color fading. Possible humidity waviness in the paper.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $10 - $25; Graded (CGC 3.0): $40 - $60.
Recent Sales
Copies of Dell Four Color issues from this era in mid-to-low grade typically sell for between $5 and $30 depending on the specific license. General adventure titles without major character ties have limited market movement.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of CGC/CBCS grading fees and shipping would likely exceed the final market value of the book in this condition (3.0 range).
Notable Features
Early Dell Four Color issue; adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Black Arrow'. Has the 10-cent original cover price. Features artwork by the prolific Dan Spiegle.
Authentication Notes
Appearance matches 1949 Dell production standards: newsprint interior, non-glossy cover stock, and the characteristic 'Dell Comic' seal in the top left corner. The aging and '1949' pencil notation on the bag are consistent with the book's antiquity.