Gaines File Copies of Mad #1-23, and Much More, Already Consigned to Heritage Comic Auctions

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Comic Auctions (HCA) announces they have successfully negotiated the consignment of an important collection of EC Comics, including a large number of Gaines File Copies of such key books as Mad #1 [CGC graded 9.6], Vault Of Horror #13 [CGC graded 9.8], War Against Crime #10 [CGC graded 9.4], Vault Of Horror #39 [CGC graded 9.8], and Crime Suspenstories #2 [CGC graded 9.6]. The group will be featured at HCA's first public auction at a date and location to be announced soon.

"This group is a major find", said John Petty, Director of HCA. "It's part of a private collection that hasn't been offered to the public since the Gaines Files were first dispersed. Gaines File Copies, first released in 1993 and quickly snatched up by collectors, are extremely desirable, and are typically some of the nicest specimens of a particular book. Bill Gaines, the publisher of EC comics had a habit of keeping up to twelve copies of each issue. Never bundled to newsstands, never ripped or folded by eager young readers, never even read, comics from this era just don't get nicer than this. What a great opportunity for serious EC collectors to add some incredible material to their collections."

Also consigned are several hundred high-grade ECs that are not Gaines File copies. The entire collection has been (or is currently being) graded and sealed by Comics Guaranty Corporation (CGC), the world's leading third-party comic grading specialist. Initial estimates place the value of this collection between $300,000 and $500,000. Heritage Comic Auctions is actively seeking collections for outright purchase or for consignment to upcoming auctions or private treaty sales. Using state-of-the-art technology and an expertise gained through two decades in the collectibles auction field, Heritage Comic Auctions will offer the highest standards in client services and customer satisfaction.

Specializing in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic, animation art and comics-related collectibles, HCA will run auctions using a variety of Internet venues, as well as live auctions at major conventions nationwide. HCA's interim website, (http://www.HeritageComics.com), allows visitors to submit their want lists, or join a mailing list to receive special offers and advance notice of upcoming auctions and other events. But Heritage plans to vastly expand its Internet presence over the coming months, and those wishing a preview need only pay a quick visit to its affiliate's site, www.HeritageCoin.com.

The Heritage name is recognized worldwide for selection, quality, value, expertise, financial strength and technological and numismatic leadership. Year 2000 sales exceeded $150 million and assets were approximately $30 million as audited by Arthur Andersen & Company. www.HeritageCoin.com is the Internet's most popular and highly trafficked rare coin site with over 37,000 registered members and approximately 80,000 unique users per month. HeritageCoin.com is the only coin site ever chosen by Forbes Best of the Web. McGraw Hill recently recommended its "Virtual Coin Collection" as an excellent teaching resource. It also won the most recent Numismatic Literary Guild award for Best Numismatic Web Site.