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Lot: 2011
Auction: 818  
Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. Have a look at the best of the best -- the highest g...
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Sold for: $161,000.00 (includes BP )
Bid Source: Live: Phone
Make Offer:
You now have the opportunity to acquire very rare items that may not be auctioned again for some time by making an anonymous offer that will make the owner sell.
Ended: Oct 13, 2005
 
Buyer's Premium: 15% of the successful bid (minimum $9.00 per lot)
Description
Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. Have a look at the best of the best -- the highest grade yet assigned for the most sought-after Marvel comic book. For many years, Marvel Comics #1 was listed as the most valuable comic book by Overstreet, and while it has since ceded that spot to Action Comics #1, for the Marvel fan there's no topping this issue here. Certainly no comic book can claim two first appearances as significant as those of the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner, who both made their debuts here (the latter had been used in a promotional comic previously, but hadn't appeared in a newsstand publication until this issue). And that made this comic the start of the Marvel Universe, a set of characters that left its mark on American popular culture, selling millions of comic books and starring in TV shows, movies, and more. The publisher that produced the issue used many different company names over the years and is usually referred to as Timely, but it's only fitting that when the publisher finally had one official name years later, it took its name from this very comic. And the fact that both of the issue's stars were more rebellious anti-heroes than do-gooder types set this comic apart and would characterize Marvel in years to come. The range of characters here includes other familiar names besides the Torch and Sub-Mariner. For one, there's the first comic book appearance of pulp hero Ka-Zar, who would go on to star in several comic series of his own in later years and was a fixture of the Marvel Universe in the Silver Age and beyond. For another, there's the first appearance of the original Angel. The cover, showing the Human Torch, is by science fiction pulp illustrator Frank R. Paul. The interior material was the work of the artistic "shop" known as Funnies, Inc., the best-known artists of which are Bill Everett (who created the Sub-Mariner and drew the character's story in this issue) and Carl Burgos (who did the same for the Human Torch). Those fortunate few who ever acquire a copy of this issue usually have to make do with one that's restored or low-grade, or one that's printed a bit askew. None of the above applies to this nicely centered specimen which is tied with only one other copy for the highest grade CGC has assigned. There's no comic book collection that this wouldn't be the centerpiece of! Overstreet 2005 VF/NM 9.0 value = $254,500; NM- 9.2 value = $365,000. CGC census 8/05: 2 in 9.0, none higher.

Auction Name: 2005 October Comic Auction #818
Auction Type: Signature !! Heritage Live:
After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)

Signature Floor Sessions
Internet bidding ends at 10:00PM CT the night before the floor session for this lot. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.

Item Activity: 13 Internet/mail bidders, 2,585 page views


Price Guide Report*
Grade 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 9.0 9.2
2009
Overstreet Price
$23,000.00 $46,000.00 $69,000.00 $155,000.00 $270,000.00 $460,000.00
*All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. No item may be returned or refused based on this information which is provided as a service to our customers. You should contact each pricing source directly to determine the accuracy of this information.


CGC Census Report*   Latest Update: 6/2009 View Universal CGC Census for entire title
Grade
0.5 1.0 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5 9.0 9.2 9.4 9.6 9.8 9.9 10.0
1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 4 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 2 3 2 7 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 2 1 2 0 2 1 4 2 2 7 3 8 2 2 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 0
Universal
Restored
Qualified
Signature Series
Total
*All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. No item may be returned or refused based on this information which is provided as a service to our customers. You should contact each pricing source directly to determine the accuracy of this information.


Universal

This label is applied to comic books that are simply the grade as marked, with no qualifiers or special considerations.

Restored

This label is applied to any comic book that has evidence of repair so that it will appear as it did when it was in its original condition. Restoration can come in a variety of degrees, from slight professional restoration (SP) to extensive amateur restoration (EA).

Qualified

A Qualified label is used by CGC for certified books that have a significant defect that needs specific description. For example, it would be a disservice to the seller and buyer to call a VF/NM book with a 4-inch back cover tear a VG, so CGC will give this book a Qualified grade of "VF/NM 9.0, back cover 4-inch tear."

Signature Series

This label is applied to comic books that have been signed by someone of significance to the comic, under the direct observation of a CGC employee, and are thus certified as an authentic signature by CGC.
Find Auction Prices for Comparable Items
Previous Prices from Heritage Auctions for this item for this grade
Photo Lot Date Piece Grade Realized
Auction 7009,
Lot 91079
Saturday, August 15, 2009 Marvel Mystery Comics #2 Larson pedigree (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to white pages.... VF/NM 9.0 $38,837.50
Auction 825,
Lot 42219
Saturday, August 4, 2007 Marvel Comics #1 Pay Copy (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages.... VF/NM 9.0 $204,999.99
Auction 819,
Lot 2403
Saturday, January 21, 2006 Marvel Comics #1 Pay Copy (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages. Holder of the Guinness world record for the most val... VF/NM 9.0 $201,250.00
View prices realized that match this item in other grades.
PLEASE NOTE: All prices realized reflect the final hammer price PLUS the buyer's premium in auctions that charge a buyer's premium. Each item has a notation at the top of the listing indicating whether that lot included a buyer's premium. Example: A item that sells with a final hammer price of $100 and a 15% buyer's premium will display with a price realized of $115. All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. Please use this guide carefully and inform us of any inaccuracies.

Heritage Auction Archives

Prices realized from past auction lots.
Great valuation tool!


Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide

Download the 2008-2009 Overtreet Comic Book Price Guide, 38th Edition.

Photographs




Golden Age (1938-1955):Superhero, Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. Have a look at the best of the best -- the highest g...


Golden Age (1938-1955):Superhero, Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. Have a look at the best of the best -- the highest g...

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