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Action Comics #1 Court Copy (DC, 1938) CGC Apparent FN+ 6.5 Moderate (P) Off-white pages....
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Sold on Nov 18, 2010 for:
$143,400.00
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Description
Action Comics #1 Court Copy (DC, 1938) CGC Apparent FN+ 6.5 Moderate (P) Off-white pages. The first appearance of Superman is the #1 comic in the hobby, and this copy's place in the history of comics makes it intriguing indeed!This is designated the Court Copy because it was used as evidence in DC's lawsuit against Fox and the latter publisher's character Wonder Man, claiming copyright infringement. The case was styled "Detective Comics, Inc., v. Bruns Publications, Inc., et al." and this comic was Exhibit 13. It bears two date stamps from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, one showing March 16, 1939, the other showing April 6, 1939. When all was said and done, the judge did indeed issue an injunction "forbidding the further publication" of Wonder Man.
This was a significant moment indeed, as future court battles were looming, above all the one against Fawcett and the hugely popular and bestselling Captain Marvel.
This lawsuit against Fox was also notable for underscoring the fact that there was money to be made publishing comics, and not just with established characters from other media but also with a new creation such as Superman who had been in print less than a year.
In a previous Heritage auction a restored Action #1 became the first restored comic book to crack the $100,000 mark, and since then this key comic has become even more sought-after. This is underscored by the reports of a high-grade, unrestored copy changing hands for a million dollars in a private treaty transaction, and another one reportedly exceeding that figure.
CGC notes, "Restoration includes: color touch, pieces added, tear seals, cleaned, reinforced." Overstreet 2010 GD 2.0 value = $80,000; VG 4.0 value = $160,000; FN 6.0 value = $240,000.
CGC Grader Notes:
Front Cover Address/Date/Name Stamp
Front Cover Soiling
Front Cover Subscription Crease
Spine Stress Lines
Top Front Cover Large Tear
Top Front Cover Small Tear
Whole Book Wear All Corners
Whole Book Wear All Edges
View the certification for CGC Certification ID 0913470001, including grader's notes if available and a link to the latest full census report for the issue.*
*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 clients. Feel free to contact each data source directly to determine the accuracy of this information.
More information about Action Comics, and Action Comics #1 Comic Title.
Auction Info
2010 November Dallas Signature Comics & Comic Art Auction #7027 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2010
18th-19th
Thursday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 26
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 11,126
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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