Here are 6 very rare FAME AND FORTUNE MAGAZINES and 6 FORTUNE MAGAZINE recent sales from eBay.
As you can see from the prices the conditions of the Pulps doesn’t matter much. Bidding-wise collectors will take whatever condition is available as they are rare to find.
FAME AND FORTUNE MAGAZINE – Second Dec. 1928 recently
sold on eBay for the fortune of $188.50 6TH issue of 23; the last 6 issues was called FORTUNE STORIES. There was no fortune to be made and the title was cancelled.
Authors: “Frank Merriwell and the Wall Street Wizard” (‘Frank Merriwell’ appearance) by Burt L. Standish (ghost written by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“A Problem in Pharmacy” by Graham Black (a publishers pseudonym, but really by Paul S. Powers in one of his rare non-Western stories. The only others I see is his first 3 published stories in WEIRD TALES (of all things), 3 more in FAME AND FORTUNE), a story in 10 STORY BOOK – Feb. 1928, and a single in ACTION STORIES – July 1925 “Hand of the North” (which is probably a Western),
“A Flyer in Zeps” (4TH ‘ “Windy” Bellows’ appearance of 12) by George M. Rock
“OVERALL nice copy of this elusive issue except for bottom right area where there is small piece missing. Most overhang still present and along right edge where there is also paper loss.
Nice, near complete, bold spine. Nice back cover with overhang gone at bottom edge.
Pages above average for a pulp mag.”
FAME AND FORTUNE MAGAZINE – Second April 1929 recently sold
on eBay for the same $188.50
14TH issue of 23
Authors: “Frank Merriwell’s Lucky Dollar” by Burt L. Standish (ghost written by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“In the Show Window” by Robert V. Kramer (by Paul S. Powers),
“A Whirl at the Big Top” (Part 2 of 3) by Lawrence Derry (by George C. Jenks, who did the ‘Billy West/Circle J’ series in WILD WEST WEEKLY)
“OVERALL nice copy of this elusive issue except for top right area where there has been some fraying and paper loss but no text is affected. Most overhang still present. Nice, complete, bold spine. Very nice back cover. Pages above average for a pulp mag. Back cover nice.”
FORTUNE STORIES – Oct. 1929 sold for $431.06
Authors: “Briggs of Wall Street” by John Sterling Dykes (by Paul Chadwick),
“The White-Collar Man” (Part 1 of 2) by Theodore Winn (by Warren Elliot Carleton)
FAME AND FORTUNE MAGAZINE, Lot of 4 Issues 1929 sold for $2,300.00
Second Feb. 1929, Second March 1929, Second April 1929, First May 1929
Authors: Second Feb.: “Expenses- Plus” (8TH appearance of ‘ “Windy” Bellows’ of 12) by George M. Rock,
“The Shadow of Wall Street” by Frank S. Lawton (by George C. Jenks)(and),
“His Big Chance” by Lester F. Stoughton (by Paul S. Powers (and)),
“Sold Out” by Robert V. Kramer (by Warren Elliot Carleton, who wrote the ‘Dusty Radburn’, ‘Sailor Anson’, ‘Brick and Boots’ and ‘Bronc Evans’ series at WILD WEST WEEKLY)
Bookery says: “Classic cover: shrouded figure hovers over stock exchange $80.00 – $200.00 – $400.00
I think they are trying to imply that Street & Smith publishers or Walter Gibson may have seen the cover and “Shadow” character, then created The SHADOW after that image. I don’t buy that. That’s like saying George W. Trendle and Fran Striker saw the 3 issues of WORLD ADVENTURE (Jan. – March 1934) with “The Hornet Stings”, “The Hornet and the Vulture” and ““Crush That Hornet – Jerry Bonner”” by Samuel Merwin and then created The Green Hornet from ‘that’ Hornet character. WORLD ADVENTURE was just as obsure as FAME AND FORTUNE. Could “this” Shadow have been forewarning of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 (eight months later (Black Tuesday (October 29, 1929).
Second March 1929: Authors: “Rogues of Wall Street” by Frank S. Lawton (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“The Rocket Car” by George M. Rock,
“Bonds and Black Cats” by Lester F. Stoughton (by Paul Chadwick, who wrote the SECRET AGENT “X” series),
“Check, Please !” by Franklin P. Styles (by Jack Bechdolt)
Second April 1929: see above listing
First May 1929: Authors: “Movie Money” (11TH ‘ “Windy” Bellows’ appearance of 12) by George M. Rock,
“Gypsies of the Air” (Part 1 of 3) by Will Lambert (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“Pawns of Wall Street” by Frank S. Lawton (by Paul Chadwick),
“The Slow Account” by Lester F. Stoughton (by Jack Bechdolt)
“Each issue contains a complete novelette, a serial, and some short stories.
Many with stories of Wall Street ironically in the months just before it crashed.
These magazines are generally in good condition. Some of them do have light critter damage and tears along the edges, or stains to the exteriors. The interiors are clean and complete, with toned but not brittle pages.
First May 1929 has some moisture stains on the back cover that also affects around 10 pages along the top and bottom.”
FORTUNE STORY MAGAZINE, Lot of 5 Issues 1929 sold for $1,675.00
July 1929, Aug. 1929, Sept. 1929, Nov. 1929, Dec. 1929
Authors: July 1929: “Frank Merriwell’s Crooked Tip”
by Burt L. Standish
(ghost written by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“Simplified Parking” by George M. Rock,
“The Skyscraper Builder” (Part 2 of 3) by Theodore Winn (by Warren Elliot Carleton)
Aug. 1929: Authors: “The Magic Million” by John Sterling Dykes
(by Paul Chadwick),
“The Shoe-String Fortune” (Part 1 of 2) by Lawrence Derry (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“The Skyscraper Builder” (Part 3 of 3) by Theodore Winn (by Warren Elliot Carleton)
Sept. 1929: Authors: “The $20,000 Bill” by Frank S. Lawton (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“The Shoe-String Fortune” (Part 2 of 2) by Lawrence Derry (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“The Saving Hobby” by Franklin P. Styles (by Jack Bechdolt)
Nov. 1929: Authors: “Never Say Dye” Last ‘“Windy” Bellows’ appearance of 12) by George M. Rock,
“Making His Millions” by Frank S. Lawton (by Paul Chadwick),
“The Air Taxi” (Part 1 of 2) by Will Lambert (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“The White-Collar Man” (Part 2 of 2) by Theodore Winn (by Warren Elliot Carleton)
Dec. 1929: (Last Issue) Authors: “”His Wall Street Double” by John Sterling Dykes (by Paul Chadwick),
“For the Franchise” by Wesley Henshaw (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“The Shipbuilder” by Lawrence Derry (by Warren Elliot Carleton),
“The Air Taxi” (Part 2 of 2) by Will Lambert (by Warren Elliot Carleton, trying to make his fortune,
it seems, with 3 stories in this issue)
“Each magazine measures 7″ x 10” and has around 128 pages. Published by Street and Smith Corporation. This short lived title was formerly known as Fame and Fortune Magazine. Each issue contains a complete novelette, a serial, and some short stories.
Many with stories of Wall Street ironically just before and after it crashed.
These magazines are generally in good condition. Some of them do have light critter damage and tears along the edges, or stains to the exteriors. The interiors are clean and complete, with toned but not brittle pages.”
ENJOY PULPS – David Lee Smith