Miami, FL – Popular online retailer TheOriginalSuperman.com (http://www.TheOriginalSuperman.com) is introducing 8 brand new Limited Edition Lithographs, museum quality, full color, printed on acid free archival paper with original signature of Mayo “Superman” Kaan (size 11″ x 14″ and 24″ x 30″).
It was 1936 when Art Moger, the legendary Warner Brothers PR man, while trying to help Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster find a model for their newly conceived comic strip, who remembered that actor Sterling Hayden had a “physical culture” trainer who possessed an Adonis-like physique, Moger brought Siegel and Shuster to Boston’s Sydney Hill Health Club to meet Mayo Kaan where he was working, and the rest is history! Mayo’s looks and muscle were Siegel and Shuster’s inspiration in 1936 for the legendary comic book character the world has come to love.
In the late thirties Mayo traveled to Hollywood and made two “pilots” for the early Superman movie serials. However within the year he decided the movie business wasn’t for him and he returned to the Est to finish schooling. However, World War Two interrupted Mayo’s plans. Mayo volunteered for Naval service. Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion (then Naval Commander) Gene Tunney immediately recognized the value of Mayo’s exceptional knowledge of physical training combined with the public relations benefits of having “Superman” train troops and recruit enlistees. Mayo became the linchpin of Commander Tunney’s physical training platoon. Later in the war at the personal request of the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgantheau, Mayo traded his Chief Petty Officer’s uniform for his Suerman costume and traveled the country with the likes of Phil Silvers, Frank Sinatra and other radio and silver screen stars of the 40’s to raise money on numerous War Bond Tours.
With the conclusion of the war, Mayo returned home to Winthrop, Massachusetts, and decided to hang up his Superman cape (except for the occasional charity appearance) and concentrate on his new wife, Gloria, and studies in nutrition, health and physical fitness.
After living in the same house on Hermon Street in Winthrop, Mass. for fifty years, Mayo and his wife decided to move to nearby Lynnfield to be with their daughter. In the process of moving the original pictures of Mayo, used by Siegel and Shuster to create the Superman character that ultimately appeared in Action Comics #1 (which sold for $61,900 in auction at Sotheby’s) were discovered in the attic of the Hermon Street house. These original pictures, given to Mayo by Siegel and Shuster had remained untouched and forgotten in the attic since Mayo’s discharge from the Navy in 1946.
Having heard of the plight of the recently paralyzed Christopher Reeve, the latest Superman, Mayo decided to have the pictures meticulously restored to their original condition and present to the public a series of signed and numbered limited edition lithographs reproductions, all bearing the original hand written signature of Mayo “Superman” Kaan.
The signed and numbered limited edition lithographs are available in 11″ x 14″ and 24” x 30”. All lithographs are printed on museum quality, acid free, archival paper six color waterless Heidelberg Press. Each pose is limited to an edition size of 2,500 all bearing the number in the series along with the original signature of Mayo “Superman” Kaan.
The original photographs as well as the lithographic reproductions have been authenticated by Glenn Brown who has spent twenty years exclusively researching, appraising and identifying entertainment memorabilia. He is a consultant to major auction houses including Christie’s, Butterfield & Butterfield, and Profiles in History. Also, he coordinated, authenticated and designed the Elvis Presley Museum Collection.
If you’re a fan of Superman, a memorabilia or comic book collector or know someone who is, or want a truly unique piece of art, a lithograph of the original pictures used to create the legendary Superman – and signed by Mayo Kaan – this represents the ultimate in Superman memorabilia.
Gary Hood, Director of Curatorial Affairs, of the International Museum of Cartoon Art and The Cartoon Hall of Fame, says it better than anyone, “It is a boon to comic book fans everywhere that the photographs resurfaced after all this time. Superman would not have been the same without them!”
About Us: TheOriginalSuperman.com (http://www.TheOriginalSuperman.com) is a unique Internet Portal with a large selection of Superman related merchandise for sale. If you are a fan of Superman and you love collectibles, prints, t-shirts and toys of the Man of Steel, you are in the right place to purchase a large selection of Superman items. 100% Satisfaction is Guaranteed. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return your item within 30 days for a full refund. Also, your transactions are safe with us: our site always meets the highest Verisign security standards.
Paul Pritchard
Manager TheOriginalSuperman.com
Web: http://www.TheOriginalSuperman.com
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