Heritage Auctions

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Press Release - October 25, 2005

A Timely Announcement from Heritage!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers (HG&A) will offer a selection of some of the most desirable Golden Age comics ever published in their upcoming Comic and Original Comic Art Signature Auction, to be held January 20 & 21, 2006, in Dallas, Texas.

"Timely produced some of the most popular comics published during the 1940s," said Lon Allen, Director of Sales, Comics, "including such titles as Captain America, The Human Torch, and The Sub-Mariner. Unlike DC Comics of the same period, the Timely heroes actively fought World War II, patriotically doing their part to overthrow the Axis menace."

"In the forefront of this superheroic war effort," Allen continued, "was Captain America, not the first, but definitely the foremost flag-draped crusader for liberty. In fact, the cover of his debut issue, dated March, 1941 - months before America entered the war following Pearl Harbor - showed a fighting mad Cap socking Adolf Hitler right in the jaw! We're pleased to offer one of the finest copies known of this landmark issue, bearing the famed Kansas City pedigree and CGC-graded VF/NM 9.0 with cream to off-white pages. Aside from the origin and first appearance of Cap, this issue also features the first appearances of Bucky Barnes and the villainous Red Skull, making it even more desirable."

"The Timely story didn't start with Captain America, however," Allen continued. "The line that would eventually become Marvel Comics - publishers of Spider-Man, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Daredevil, and countless others - burst on the scene in 1939 with the publication of the appropriately-titled Marvel Comics #1, which introduced both the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner to a breathlessly waiting world. I'm very excited to announce that we'll be offering the legendary 'Pay Copy' of this seminal book, CGC-graded VF/NM 9.0 with off-white pages. This copy, from the publisher's personal files, contains a written record of how much, and when, each creator was paid for the stories they contributed. It's a fascinating document that provides keen insights into the business side of comics during their formative years. Making this comic even more desirable is the fact that it holds a Guinness World's Record for the most valuable comic book, and is tied with one other copy at the top of the CGC census."

"Marvel Comics #1 was the first, and only, issue to bear that title," Allen said. "With issue #2, the title changed to Marvel Mystery Comics, this time cover-featuring the Angel. The Torch's origin is retold in this second issue, which is CGC-graded VF/NM 9.0 with white pages, tying it with only one other copy for 'highest-graded' honors."

"With the success of the Human Torch in Marvel Mystery Comics, it was natural that he would receive his own book," said Allen, "and so The Human Torch #2 (#1) was born. The odd numbering is the result of Timely carrying the issue numbers over from the one-and-only issue of Red Raven Comics. The copy we're offering in this auction is the finest known copy of this highly desirable issue, CGC-graded a stunning NM 9.4 with off-white pages. Very rarely does one see a key Golden Age book in this condition, without a touch of restoration. This book will certainly give bragging rights to even the most advanced collector."

"It was only natural that, at some point, Timely's leading characters would band together," said Allen, "which is exactly what they did on the cover of All-Winners Comics #1, although they appeared in separate adventures within. However, a text piece inside the book - written by some kid named Stan Lee - teamed Timely's greatest heroes to form The All-Winners Squad, a team that wouldn't actually be seen in all its four-color glory for several more years. This particular issue of this great book, CGC-graded NM- 9.2 with off-white pages, is surpassed by only a single copy for the title of highest graded."

"It's a very rare event when so many great, key books are offered in one auction," said Allen, "and a Timely event of this magnitude may never happen again. I'd urge any Golden Age comic enthusiasts to watch this auction carefully so they don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime event."

Captain America #1, Kansas City pedigree, CGC-graded VF/NM 9.0 with cream to off-white pages, carries a pre-auction estimate of $100,000.

Marvel Comics #1, Pay Copy, CGC-graded VF/NM 9.0 with off-white pages, bears a pre-auction estimate of $200,000 - $250,000.

Marvel Mystery Comics #2, CGC-graded VF/NM 9.0 with white pages, has a pre-auction estimate of $35,000.

The Human Torch #2 (#1), CGC-graded NM 9.4 with off-white pages, carries a pre-auction estimate of $100,000.

All-Winners Comics #1, CGC-graded NM- 9.2 with off-white pages, has a pre-auction estimate of $35,000.

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 HeritageGalleries.com.

HG&A 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 HeritageGalleries.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageGalleries.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageGalleries.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@HeritageGalleries.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.

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