Heritage Auctions

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Press Release - June 14, 2005

Heritage Celebrates the Summer of the Bat!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Comics Auctions (HCA) will offer the original cover art for Batman #11 by artists Fred Ray and Jerry Robinson, cover-dated June-July 1942, in their upcoming Signature Auction, to be held August 12-13, 2005, in Dallas, Texas.

"This is not only a classic early Joker cover," said Ben Samuels, Consignment Director for HCA, "but it's arguably one of the finest, most iconic Golden Age covers ever to come to market. With the opening of the new big budget Bat-film, 'Batman Begins,' just around the corner, I can't think of a better time to offer this stunning piece."

"The cover is by Fred Ray, with inks by Jerry Robinson," Samuels continued. "Ray was best known for his classic Superman covers, while Robinson is generally credited as one of the creators of the Joker, Batman's most significant arch-foe. Both were significant contributors to the Golden Age of comics, and their artwork, which rarely comes to market, is highly prized by collectors. This piece, held in a private collection for many years, is in excellent condition, and we are confident that this cover will easily shatter every previously held record for the sale of a single piece of original comic art. This is the third-ever Joker cover and, to the best of our knowledge, the earliest Batman/Detective cover known to exist."

"It's always a thrill to discover a piece that has been hidden away in private hands for many years," Samuels continued, "but when that piece is also one of the most fondly-remembered, legendary covers of the Golden Age featuring three of the best known characters ever created for the four-color page, that thrill is indescribable. This piece is certainly museum-worthy, and will give some lucky collector bragging rights for many years to come."

This cover carries a pre-auction estimate of $100,000.

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 "Sell Now" 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 reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Comics, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219.

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