SMITH, Malcolm (1910-1966). Original black and white illustration for "Prometheus II" as published in Amazing Stories. 1948.

Charcoal pencil with gouache on paper of a scientist and his creation in a laboratory, initialed by Smith at lower right (loss to lower left corner, pinholes, some soiling). Sheet 15 x 19 1/2". Provenance: Forrest J. Ackerman (1916-2008), American science fiction editor and publisher; acquired by the present owner directly from Ackerman.

Considered to be one of "founding fathers" of science fiction art, Malcolm Smith's work has appeared on the covers of Amazing Stories, Fantastic Adventures, and Other Worlds. This illustration appeared in the February 1948 issue of Amazing Stories alongside the story Prometheus II by Stuart J. Byrne (1913-2011). Accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity dated 8 March 2004 and SIGNED BY FORREST J. ACKERMAN.