Troy Davis writes:
I paid a lot of money for this relatively rare tract. When a friend questioned my judgement, I responded that I paid relatively little for my extensive Chick-related collection (some items, such as this signed original art by Jack Chick I received for free).
Before Jack Chick started the pocket-sized tract format, he wrote booklets that were relatively expensive to print (here I discuss the dynamics behind Chick's move to the smaller-sized tracts). The 1964 version of TWYL measures approximately 5.25" by 3.5".
Chick used small Christian publisher Ralph Rushtoi to print and distribute the tract. Here is a discussion of Rusthoi's influence on Chick and other tract writers.
"This Was Your Life" is Chick Publications' most popular title. The 1964 version is the same story though Chick redid the art when he decided to do a smaller version (see below).
NOTES ON JACK CHICK: In my introductory post, I listed just a few of the many rare and valuable objects from The Museum's extensive Chick-related collection . . . The role of Ralph Rushtoi in the publishing careers of both Jack Chick and another comics-based tract writer Vic Lockman. . . I discuss the role of Bill Bright's prolific tract The Four Spiritual Laws in leading to a format change in Chick tracts that was a key reason why they have become much more popular since the late 1960s . . . My thoughts on Jack Chick's spreading of the peace symbol/broken cross mythology . . . Jack Chick's retro-futuristic car in the scarce 48-page version of "The Beast" . . . Chick tract parody "Constitutional Rites" . . .Jack Chick's cold war tract "Ivan The Terrible" . . . Article on Chick by fellow Catholic-baiting Bob Jones University magazine . . .Catholic-bashing tract by Chick's protege Alberto Rivera . . . Knock-off of a Chick tract by James Lloyd:"Left Behind" . . . Chick tract parody "Donald Trump Is The Antichrist; Prepare for the Rapture!" . . . The extremely rare 1970 Chick tract "Operation Somebody Cares" . . .The rare Chick Publications comic book "Jonah" by Chick and Fred Carter . . . The museum's prized cultural artifact, original art by Jack Chick . . . The museum's collection of Jack Chick's high school yearbooks . . . An appreciation of the deranged nature of the original 1972 version of the Chick tract "The Last Generation"
Contributions of weird tracts to the museum can be made by mail: send your weird tracts to Les Zazous Postmodern Art Gallery 3475 Guernsey Street, Bellaire, Ohio 43906.
