A bizarre and macabre artwork by one of our favorite illustrators Mahlon Blaine titled on verso “A Fish Story.” A mermaid Medusa-like nude rendered in a pastel colored palette with an unusual size and configuration that leads us to believe this was created as a left-hand page interior illustration in a pulp magazine such as Weird Tales. When reproduced we imagine text would have been blocked around the right edge of this highly creative image. Illustration is labeled on verso and monogrammed by the artist lower right.

The enigmatic and enduring prolific illustrator had a long and unusual career and enjoys a cult like following and much glowing aclaim to this day.