Heritage to Offer Historic Comic Book Page!

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Comics Auctions (HCA) will offer one of the most significant pages of original art ever held in private hands, the landmark last page of the very first Sub-Mariner story from Marvel Comics #1 in their upcoming Signature auction, to be held May 18 & 19, 2005 at the New Yorker Hotel in New York City.

"It's a thrill just to hold this page in my hands," said Ed Jaster, Director of Acquisitions for HCA. "The Sub-Mariner was originally introduced to a waiting world, by legendary creator Bill Everett, in the first (and only) issue of Motion Picture Funnies Weekly, issued in 1939. Originally intended for distribution through movie theaters, the idea never caught on, and the book never received any kind of real distribution. Consequently, only a handful of copies exist today. When publisher Martin Goodman was looking for material for his first entry into the nascent field of comic books, he bought this strip and republished it, with four pages added at the end, in Marvel Comics #1, a book that became the cornerstone of the Timely, and later Marvel, empire. This is one of the pages created specifically for publication in Marvel Comics #1."

"This page is incredibly significant on so many levels," continued Jaster. "For one thing, it's the earliest page from a key book known to exist. To my knowledge, pages from such significant books as Action Comics #1 (the first appearance of Superman) or Detective Comics #27 (the first Batman) are lost to the ages. Second, it's the first appearance of Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, a major character, one who is still active in comics today, by a creator whose name would become legendary in his field. Third, it's one-of-a-kind. As far as I know, this is the only page to exist from this landmark issue. This could well be the Holy Grail of original art collecting."

Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, made his mainstream debut in Marvel Comics #1, cover dated October, 1939, and headlined in that magazine (which changed its name to Marvel Mystery Comics with its second issue) until its cancellation in June, 1949. During that time, the Sub-Mariner also starred in his own comic, and made frequent guest appearances in many other Timely Comics. After a brief revival in the 1950s, Sub-Mariner was inactive until he was re-introduced to eager comic readers in the pages of Fantastic Four #4 (May, 1962), in a story written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby. Since then, Namor has been an important part of the popular Marvel Universe, either starring in his own comic or making guest-appearances in other books.

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 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 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit HeritageComics.com and click on the "consign" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageComics.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageComics.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HeritageGalleries.com.

Movie poster consignors, please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageMoviePosters.com.

To order the next three sale catalogs, visit Heritage's website to pay by credit card, or send a check or money order payable to Heritage Comics in the amount of $100 (a fraction of Heritage's actual cost-to-produce the catalogs) to: Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Comics, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219.