Heritage Auctions

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Press Release - February 9, 2004

HERITAGE COMICS’ FIRST AUCTION OF 2004 REALIZES WELL OVER $2.3 MILLION

DALLAS, TEXAS: “The beginning of a new year is always exciting,” said Heritage Comics (HCA) Director of Auctions John Petty, “but this year in particular is starting with a bang. The February 6-7 Signature Sale, our first of 2004, was a great success. We had over 2400 bidders, 552 of whom actually won lots.” The sale has grossed $2,342,248 so far (1736 lots sold out of 2167 offered), with additional After-Auction sales still coming in.

“2400 bidders is an astonishing participation number, especially considering that we had no movie posters or Hollywood memorabilia this time,” added Ed Jaster, Heritage’s Director of Acquisitions. “Heritage is going to offer movie posters in a separate auction next month - March 17. We decided to experiment with smaller, more frequent Signature Sales this year, and based on the results we saw this weekend, the experiment seems to be working out well. The comics market appears to be quite healthy indeed. This was also the first sale held in our brand-new office space, and a good time was had by all.” Heritage plans a total of six comics and comic art Signature auctions this year, plus separate sales for other popular culture items as well as sports collectibles.

Live bidders at the February comics auction enjoyed beautiful views of downtown Dallas from Heritage’s 17th floor auction gallery, while they dined on complimentary sandwiches, pizza, salads, and pasta… and bid on fantastic comics and comic art. Highlights of the sale include:

Captain America Comics #1 Mile High pedigree (Timely, 1941) CGC Apparent VF/NM 9.0 Slight (P) Off-white pages.
The United States had not yet entered World War II, but the first issue of one of the most beloved superhero comics of the Golden Age showed Captain America already taking the fight to our enemies in Europe, with Hitler receiving a terrific punch in the face! This comic features the origin and first appearance of Captain America and Bucky by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Perennial nemesis the Red Skull also makes his first appearance. Undeniably one of the most important comic books of all time, this issue is currently ranked at number six in Overstreet's list of the Top 100 Golden Age Books. This key book from Edgar Church's famous cache has only slight professional restoration and still enjoys the fresh, nearly perfect appearance expected of a Mile High pedigree book. This comic was also once part of the collection of noted comic enthusiast and actor Nicolas Cage. There are currently only two unrestored copies of this issue that have been graded higher by CGC. CGC notes, "Restoration includes: small amount of color touch, glue on cover, cover cleaned." Sold for $64,400

Action Comics #1 (DC, 1938) CGC VG- 3.5 Cream to off-white pages.
Featuring the introduction of Superman, this book single-handedly raised the comic industry from a second-rate medium of strip reprints to a legitimate business whose sales would eventually surpass even the best selling magazines. Action #1 is the holy grail of comic books, lusted after by virtually anyone who considers themselves a collector. Naturally, since it's from 1938, high-grade copies are next to impossible to find, even if you could afford one! In fact, according to CGC's most recent census, just four unrestored copies have been certified at grades higher than FN- 5.5. Some light staining here keeps this copy at mid-grade. But, that's a solid grade for this historic issue. Sold for $57,500

Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages.
Wow! A stunning copy with razor-sharp corners, a beautiful spine, and deep colors. Next to Amazing Fantasy #15, this is the second-most-demanded Silver Age comic. This is the first Fantastic Four crossover into another title, as Spider-Man tries to join their group. The cover is by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, but interior art is all by Spider-Man's co-creator, Steve Ditko. To date, only three copies of this issue have been graded higher by CGC. You better grab this one while you can, as you may never get another opportunity to get one of the nicest copies in existence. Overstreet 2003 NM 9.4 value = $32,000. Sold for $52,900

Detective Comics #27 (DC, 1939) CGC VG 4.0 Cream to off-white pages.
This is number two on Overstreet's Top 100 Golden Age Comics list, behind only Action Comics #1. Batman's creator, Bob Kane, just 22 years old when this issue hit the stands, handled cover and interior art on this issue which introduced the Caped Crusader and Commissioner Gordon. A nice cover image with good colors, there is a small piece out of the top right edge. Even at this grade, CGC has certified just four other unrestored copies with higher grades, none higher than Very Fine. Sold for $48,300

Superman #1 (DC, 1939) CGC VG+ 4.5 Cream to off-white pages.
Superman's original title vehicle, Action Comics, couldn't tell all the tales that needed to be told about the Man of Steel, so this title was launched a year after Supe's first appearance in 1938. At this date fewer copies of this issue have been certified by CGC than copies of Action Comics #1, and, believe it or not, only four unrestored copies have earned higher grades from CGC to date. Remarkably, just two unrestored copies have graded above FN- 5.5, and none higher than VF 8.0, putting our offering in rare company among other issues of this historic comic book. The origin of the Man of Steel is retold here by creators Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, and Shuster provides a pin-up for the back cover. Ranked by Overstreet as the fourth most valuable Golden Age comic book, it features one of those covers that quickens the heartbeat of any serious comic book collector. Overstreet 2003 VG 4.0 value = $32,000. Sold for $47,150

Marvel Mystery Comics #9 (Timely, 1940) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages.
So much to say about this issue and this copy, and we're restricted to this space? One has to start with the classic Alex Schomburg cover, the second-ever featuring the Sub-Mariner. It's a quintessential Timely/Marvel superhero battle, as Subby takes on the Torch from the cover right through 22 thrill-packed pages. Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, and Paul Gustavson render their signature superheroes, the Sub-Mariner, the Human Torch, and the Angel, just as we like them rendered. Overstreet notes this to be a "scarce" issue, so this highest-CGC-graded copy is extra-special. As of CGC's most recent census, the next-nicest unrestored copy has earned just a FN+ 6.5 rating. Feast your eyes on one of the pearls of this sale, then hazard a bid on Golden Age Greatness! Overstreet 2003 VF 8.0 value = $16,000. Sold for $42,550

Wally Wood - Original Cover Art for Weird Science #9 (EC, 1951).
One of the finest artists to grace the pages of EC Comics, Wally Wood had a style that was instantly recognizable to his legion of fans. Whether he was drawing the most beautiful women or, as in this cover, the most horrific aliens, Wood always came through, with a flair and a panache that few could equal. Perfectly at home with virtually all of the genres EC published, Wood's genius shone through most brightly in his science-fiction work. One glance at the cover offered here, and it's easy to see that "Woody" had an imagination that just wouldn't quit, enabling him to render aliens that were truly alien, and spaceships that were truly out of this world. The cover offered here is an absolute gem. Measuring approximately 15" x 21.75" overall, this piece is in excellent condition, and, as a bonus, is signed by the artist, both in the art itself and in the border. Don't expect to see this cover surface for sale again for quite some time, as the lucky buyer will no doubt treasure it for years to come. Sold for $39,100

Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VG 4.0 Cream to off-white pages.
Marvel/Timely followed DC into the Golden Age of Comics some 18 months after Action Comics #1, but this historic book has rivaled its competitor in demand, value, and significance for decades, at times over the years even being valued higher than the book Superman made famous. Timely's Big Three superheroes; the Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett, the Human Torch by Carl Burgos, and the Angel by Paul Gustavson make their first appearances in the issue, the dynamic cover for which was created by pulp artist Frank R. Paul. One of the few books that single-handedly defines the eyebrow-raising factor of a collection could be yours! Overstreet 2003 VG 4.0 value = $37,500. Sold for $37,950

Wonder Woman #1 (DC, 1942) CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages.
Wow -- here's the top copy in CGC's current census rankings and it's not even a pedigree copy! This major DC key issue has the origin of Wonder Woman retold in more detail than originally described in All Star Comics #8. Both the cover and the interior art are courtesy of H. G. Peter. If you are in search of the best, then look no further. This major DC key issue has bone-white pages and colors that just leap off of the cover, the only noticeable defects on this fabulous book are very minor edge wear and a slightly rounded corner on the open edge. To date, this is the highest unrestored CGC-graded copy of this issue. Overstreet 2003 VF/NM 9.0 value = $22,500; NM 9.4 value = $30,000. Sold for $32,200

The Incredible Hulk #1 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VF+ 8.5 White pages.
"Fantasy As You Like It!" was a bold enticement in 1962, especially from a comic publisher that was still lagging way behind industry leader DC five years into the Silver Age. But, as the world was to learn, with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the highly improbable was possible! Without any try-out (even Spidey had his one-shot try-out in Amazing Fantasy), the Hulk burst onto the scene with his own comic book title. He lasted all of six issues before being relegated to high profile guest appearances in other Marvel titles, then gaining co-starring status in Tales to Astonish. By 1968, of course, the Monster had his own title again, and became one of the most enduringly popular Marvel characters of all. Jack Kirby provided one of his most memorable covers for this premiere issue, and handled the interior art as well. One of the harder Marvel Age keys to find in high-grade, evidenced by CGC, whose latest census shows just one unrestored copy grading as high as NM 9.4. Our offering comes with a certificate of authenticity for The Edenwald Collection. And this beauty has white pages! Let the bidding begin! Overstreet 2003 VF 8.0 value = $6,950; VF/NM 9.0 value = $12,975. Sold for $29,037.50

National Comics #7 Mile High pedigree (Quality, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages.
Here is the most sought after of all the issues of National Comics, and just one look at the painstakingly detailed Lou Fine cover will show you why it is so highly prized. This classic underwater cover scene features Uncle Sam and Buddy with an amazingly cool battleship/tank hybrid looming in the background, and Fine's mastery of perspective is on display in clear detail. The classic cover art never looked so good as it does on this Mile High example, with unbelievably vibrant cover inks that almost leap off the paper. Other features in this issue are the speedy Quicksilver, Merlin the Magician, and Kid Patrol. Interior artists include Klaus Nordling, Nick Cardy, John Celardo, and George Tuska. Overstreet calls this issue "scarce" and estimates only 21 to 50 copies exist. To date, this is the highest CGC-graded copy of this issue. Overstreet 2003 NM 9.4 value = $2,475. Sold for $20,700

Jack Kirby and Joe Simon - Original Cover Art for Star-Spangled Comics #8 (DC, 1942).
The Newsboy Legion and the Guardian, in their second appearance, are featured on this fantastic Joe Simon and Jack Kirby cover illustration. The Newsboys were one of S&K's great "Dead End"-style kid gangs; teamed with policeman-turned masked hero the Guardian, they inhabited over fifty issues of this long-running title. This cover may make you a little dizzy; it's a wild perspective view of the gang straddling two tall buildings, making a human bridge for the Guardian as he battles two gun-wielding bad guys. The shot of the Guardian, sailing through the air, is Jack Kirby at his Golden Age best. This large, 16" x 21" board, with an image area of 12.5" x 17", appears to have been restored to near-perfect condition; the stats may be replacements. The art is clean, with only a light bit of pencil rub and very little white-out. It's a very beautiful piece, one that is sure to be the highlight of some lucky bidder's collection! Sold for $19,550

“HCA’s next Signature auction will be held April 1-3, 2004 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City,” continued Consignment Director Fred McSurley. “The in-house consignment deadline for that sale is February 20, so anyone interested in participating is urged to contact Heritage as soon as possible.”

For more information about Heritage’s auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageComics.com.

HCA specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 214-252-4288 or Fred McSurley at 214-252-4293 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit http://www.HeritageComics.com and click on the “consign” tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageComics.com or Fred McSurley at FredM@HeritageComics.com.

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