Signed by hand by Herb Trimpe (1939-2015) this trading card is from the 1990 Marvel Universe Series I card set. It features the cover to The Incredible Hulk #181, the first appearance of Wolverine. In near mint/mint condition (with great overall eye appeal), it will be shipped with the utmost care. Please note- the signature is real. It is the actual, hand-signed signature of Trimpe. It is not a pre-printed image on the card.
About Herb Trimpe:
A graduate of Empire State College with a Bachelors in Arts, Herb Trimpe joined the Marvel Comics staff in 1967 as a member of their production department. He was specifically hired to operate their new photostat machine. According to Trimpe, this “opened the door” and where that door led was to a landmark run on one of Marvel’s most popular titles, The incredible Hulk. While many artists have illustrated the Jade Giant since the characters creation in 1962, none have done so with more lasting impact than Trimpe. Assigned to the newly retitled Hulk series (having recently returned to its original title after running as Tales to Astonish since issue #7) Trimpe finished Marie Severin’s layouts beginning with issue #106 in 1968. Shortly thereafter he took over both interiors and covers for the series and would continue drawing the Hulk in a virtually unbroken stint for the next seven years. While his run on the Hulk is his seminal work (which also included illustrating the equally seminal issue #181, the first appearance of Wolverine), Trimpe also drew Spiderman, She-Hulk, Doctor Strange, the Sub-Mariner and other major characters in his year-long runs on both The Defenders (1979-1980) and Marvel Team Up (1981-1982). He also drew many other major Marvel characters in their own titles, including Captain America, The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD. Trimpe also illustrated numerous Marvel licensed movie and television franchise titles, including Godzilla, The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones, Shogun Warriors, Transformers, and G.I. Joe in both the A Real American Hero and Special Missions titles. But it is for his work on the Hulk and as the artist who illustrated the first published Wolverine story that Trimpe has earned his place among the legends of the comics industry. Wolverine, of course, went on to become one of Marvel’s most popular characters. And Trimpe’s Hulk, considered by many to be the definitive interpretation of the character, served as both and inspiration and guide to to so many of the artists that followed.
Excepting pack-pulled autograph trading cards, CGC Signature Series, signed Sideshow prints, and like collectibles, all autographed items Vault Collectibles sells were personally witnessed, by myself, being signed by the writer, artist, or celebrity in question. No third party is involved. Further, art sketches - and most published original art I sell - were obtained directly from the artist themselves.
For buyers desiring this guarantee in written form, this statement guarantees that the above referenced item is as stated in the listing description. A screen capture of the completed auction page, which includes this statement of provenance, may be saved by the buyer as a digital file or print off in hardcopy form. As this serves as written proof of said guarantee, no physical documentation will be included in the package when the item is mailed.
J. Brian O’Bryant
VaultCollectibles
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