Freebie Friday
First, thank you for allowing me a holiday. Our Easter was well-spent and we kicked it off around 3:30 a.m. with breakfast at Waffle House. Ah, the pleasures of the overnight roadtrip bring fond memories. (Obligatory disclaimer: Waffle House does not endorse the appearance of their trademarked brand name in any article in any way even remotely thought to or portrayed to be sympathetic to William Dudley Pelley or even any breath he ever took in his life or written for those who would even consider anything he ever wrote, said or did to be other than purest evil. Thank you. -Waffle House)
Here is your latest issue of “Over Here” for September, 1957. This is the only copy of this issue I have ever seen or put hands on. This morning may have been the first time I ever opened it. I certainly found some wonderful surprises inside.
Download link expires 4/21/2023: https://we.tl/t-vBExadE47t
What makes this one so special? Well, it is the first issue published after Pelley’s entire 15-year sentence for sedition had elapsed. That means it was the first magazine of a political nature published by William Dudley Pelley out from under federal parole!
Does he take advantage? You bet he does! This one contains an editorial by The Chief which is not apologetic in any sense of the word. Read for yourself.
My only thought for now is, who will be our big benefactor this week?
Thank you for the actual dozens of messages, donations and subscriptions to this work. We see new subscribers practically every day, some actual paying customers.
In building the brand, I made some blunders. I hope I am learning from them. I hope it was worth it.
The biggest expense, and I must yet remain coy about it, is legal. I was obliged to fork over some thousands of dollars in retainer fees all of a sudden else I be eaten by the wolves. My friends and family have helped offset that expense and I thank you!
Some of you have unwittingly helped, no reflection on your personal opinion of Pelley, by purchasing items offered for sale here in recent weeks. Thank you as well! We will weather this and the story will be amazing when I can finally share it.
The only small items left unsold are the bookplates identical to one used in Pelley’s personal library… I think I may have 4 of those left, one per customer please, no repeat buyers invited yet. These are to be had for $12 postage included worldwide. Missed out the first time? Don’t be so slow on the uptake… https://archvillain.substack.com/p/ex-libris-william-dudley-pelley
As mentioned about this first parole-free Pelley edition of “Over Here,” I have exactly this one. It is in really fab shape, only lightly loosened by my flipping it around the flatbed scanner a few times.
About the cover art: it is another Benn Lewis original. I believe it may contain the artist’s self-portrait as a child. Miss America is beamed at by a girl and boy, both pursing their lips in amazement as with the first “Ooooo” at a fireworks display. I think the kid looking a bit like a young Arthur Fonzarelli is Benn Lewis portraying his own boyhood reaction to feminine beauty.
What’s it worth? It’s worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Visually and content wise, it’s free, as I intend to make all PDFs of “Over Here” available by the time we’re done. The genuine artifact, though. I’ve peddled old detective and weird fiction magazines for hundreds of dollars. If this were a certain one of those titles in similar condition, before the collectors bubble burst in ‘08 like everything else, it’s a five hundred dollar magazine.
Last week when I sold some of the previous scans for $20 each, this was a $20 magazine. Thing is, this is pretty much it. The Pelley market has dried up. It is so opposite of woke, in fact, that people who have it are as likely to burn it as try to sell it. If they do try, eBay is likely to pull it at first complaint if it is even listable at all.
WE decide what the market value of this number is.
Some serious benefactor has $500 to spend on this magazine right now. You know the drill. Reply to this email “SOLD” in the subject line and it’s yours, well-packaged and postage paid. If not, next week you might find it in a four-pack for $80.
I honestly don’t think this magazine alone is worth that price. Considering the continuing efforts to personally crush your humble amanuensis, this sort of money is necessary to see the archival and contextual work continue.
Just putting it out there. Do grab that download, in any case, and enjoy. It’s getting better with every issue at this point.