Three paintbrushes, mounted and framed. Overall size 11 1/4 x 13 1/4 x 1 in. Provenance: Forrest J. Ackerman (1916-2008), American editor, magazine publisher, and science fiction author; acquired by the present owner directly from Ackerman.

Characterized by dramatic compositions and fantastic worlds populated by robots and aliens, Frank R. Paul's iconic and influential artwork has appeared on the covers of Amazing Stories, Wonder Stories, and many other science fiction publications. In 1939 he painted the cover of the very first issue of Marvel Comics, and he is credited with having painted the very first depictions of a space station and of an alien spaceship. The Frank R. Paul Award, named in his honor, was given by the Nashville Science Fiction Association to recognize significant achievements in the genre of science fiction art from 1976 to 1996.