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Baffling Mysteries #7, published by Ace Magazines in March 1952. This original Golden Age pre-Code horror comic comes from the highly collectible Baffling Mysteries anthology series, known for its supernatural storytelling, macabre subject matter, and distinctive early 1950s artwork.
This issue originally featured the dramatic “Terror Beneath the Tides” monster cover, which is missing from this particular copy.
The exposed opening story is “A Game with Lucifer,” featuring artwork by Lou Cameron. The story follows Barry Archer, a young chess grandmaster facing a life-threatening heart condition, as he becomes involved in a supernatural confrontation with death itself.
Other stories originally published in this issue include “Scourge of the Kentucky Hills,” “Back from an Unhallowed Grave,” and “Terror Beneath the Tides,” along with the text feature “The Mummy’s Curse.”
These stories represent the distinctive horror, fantasy, and supernatural themes that made pre-Code comic books so memorable before the introduction of the Comics Code Authority in 1954.
The original interior artwork retains the vintage coloring, lettering, and visual character associated with early Golden Age horror publications.
This is an original 1952 comic, not a modern reproduction or reprint.
IMPORTANT: This copy is COVERLESS. The original front and back covers are missing. Interior completeness has not been verified, and additional missing or detached pages are possible.
An interesting surviving example for collectors of original pre-Code horror, Ace Magazines, Golden Age comics, and vintage supernatural artwork.
Publisher: Ace Magazines / Periodical House
Series: Baffling Mysteries
Issue: #7
Cover Date: March 1952
Publication Year: 1952
Era: Golden Age
Genre: Pre-Code Horror / Supernatural / Fantasy
Original Cover Price: $0.10
Featured Story: A Game with Lucifer
Featured Artist: Lou Cameron
Original Page Count: 36 Including Covers
Original Covers: Missing
Interior Completeness: Unverified
Format: Original Comic Book
Language: English
Condition
Coverless, heavily worn, incomplete or potentially incomplete Golden Age comic.
Both the original front and back covers are missing. The first visible page features the opening splash artwork for “A Game with Lucifer.”
The exposed interior page displays significant age-related tanning, discoloration, and paper wear consistent with an original comic published in 1952.
Visible defects include substantial wear along the upper edge, irregular and frayed page margins, multiple small tears and chips, softened corners, and general handling damage.
The upper portion shows particularly noticeable paper loss and uneven edges. The left spine area exhibits considerable wear, with visible irregularities and possible separation or weakness along the binding.
Additional creasing, small tears, surface marks, and edge damage are present throughout the visible page.
Despite the heavy wear, the surviving artwork displays attractive vintage coloring, with readable lettering and recognizable illustrations.
The interior paper appears aged and fragile. Careful handling is recommended to prevent additional damage.
The number of surviving pages has not been counted or verified. Interior completeness, page attachment, and the presence of all original stories cannot be guaranteed.
This comic is being sold strictly as a coverless, heavily worn, potentially incomplete original Golden Age collectible.
Please review all supplied photographs carefully for overall condition and visible defects.
