John Black’s Body: A Story in Pictures by Ben Martin is not a wordless novel. It consists of 48 pictures and 403 words. Published in 1939, at the start of WW2, it is a satirical (and cynical) look at war, politicians, and the common soldier.

Not much is known about Ben Martin (any information is appreciated and will be given a credit line). He was apparently born in 1911 in Oakland, California and settled his family in Orange County. In 1938 he ran for the Democratic nomination (unsuccessfully) and later wrote about his experience in The Atlantic Monthly. The few articles about (or by him) display a wry humour but with a point.

In addition to John Black’s Body he also had published two other, almost wordless stories (but not covered here):

  • 1940 Mr. Smith and Mr. Schmidt: A Story in Pictures; The Vanguard Press, New York
  • 1940 Alfred; Simon and Schuster, New York

John Black’s Body is included in the “Not-Quite” section of this site. The dust jacket, in referencing “48 pictures and 403 words” is a clear nod to the wordless novel genre similar to Gibbings’ publications.

A few words about The Vanguard Press founded in 1926; it published titles throughout the 1920s and 30s on communist and socialist theory and other left-of-center topics, which is consistent with this book. Its ambition was to introduce works that were otherwise unpublishable by more mainstream presses, and at affordable prices (as per Wikipedia).

Title: John Black’s Body: A Story In Pictures
Author: Ben Martin
Illustrator: Ben Martin
Introduction: No
Date of publication: 1939
ISBN: 9781199432674 (ISBN10: 1199432679)
Publisher: The Vanguard Press
Place of publication: New York
Printer: Reehl Litho Company, Inc, Bound by H. Wolff, New York
Copyright: The Vanguard Press
Dimensions: 9 3/4 x 6 3/4 x 5/8″ (24.7 x 17.2 x 1.7 cm)
Dust jacket: Yes – designed by the artist?
slipcase: unlikely
Binding: hard cover
Boards: paper covered
Language: English titles, etc
Paginated: unpaginated
Printed: recto
Edition: Trade only
Reproduced from line drawings
References: Avermaete
Description:

book in dust jacket.
Unclipped dust jacket with $1.00 price
Alternative dust jacket, unclipped but without a price.
Image credit: Art By Christine.
book with paper boards.
Front pastedown and FFEP. Note staining – presumably
a reaction to the glue used in the pastedown.
Half-title.
Title page.
Copyright page and 1st page in the story.
copyright notice.
John Black’s body in the pail after being hit by a shell.
The End – with name spelled wrong on the cross

COMMENTS
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Any information used will be given a credit line.