Latest Heritage Amazing Comics Auction^TM Internet 14031

Dallas, TX: Heritage's Amazing Comics Auction^TM (ACA) sale #14031 ended Sunday, March 7, with 869 lots offered. 587 bidders placed bids, and 291 of them were successful, for a total sell-through of $116,910.85 for 787 lots (90.56% of lots offered). 13 after-auction lots were purchased by 6 bidders, for a total of $2,081.50.

A few highlights from the 03/07/04 ACA sale are:

All Star Comics #3 (DC, 1940) CGC Apparent VF/NM 9.0 Moderate (P) Off-white to white pages. Origin and first appearance of the Justice Society of America. E. E. Hibbard, Sheldon Moldoff, and Bernard Baily art. CGC notes: "Restoration includes: color touch, tear seals, pieces added, cleaned, reinforcement." Overstreet 2003 GD 2.0 value = $3,333; VG 4.0 value = $6,666; FN 6.0 value = $10,000; VF 8.0 value = $25,000; VF/NM 9.0 value = $37,500. Realized $4,945.00

New York World's Fair Comics #1939 (DC, 1939) CGC FN- 5.5 Off-white pages. This trail-blazing issue, the forerunner of World's Finest Comics, is listed as the 30th most valuable Golden Age book by Overstreet, tied with Action Comics #7. Not bad for a book for which Overstreet doesn't even list a NM 9.4 value! The first published appearance of the Sandman guaranteed this gem a place in comic book history. The venerable Vincent Sullivan provided the cover, with some help from Fred Guardineer. Inside, DC called on its best to participate: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Bob Kane, Creig Flessel, and Bill Ely. You may find it difficult to locate a nicer copy of this Gerber "uncommon" issue; CGC has currently certified just one copy of the 96-page square bound, fragile, cardboard covered issue in higher than FN/VF 7.0 grade. Overstreet 2003 FN 6.0 value = $6,300. Realized $4,140.00

All-Flash #1 (DC, 1941) CGC FN+ 6.5 Cream to off-white pages. One of the most important and popular characters in Golden Age DC Universe, right after Superman and Batman, gets his own solo book. E. E. Hibbard is the artist here, and the stories include a retelling of Flash's origin. The title would prove to be a success, lasting 32 issues. With the waning of superhero popularity in the late 1940s, this, too, would pass. This above-average copy is clean and bright, with only minor wear around the edges to bring it down in grade. Overstreet 2003 FN 6.0 value = $4,000. Realized $3,477.60

Comic Cavalcade #1 (DC, 1942) CGC FN 6.0 Cream to off-white pages. One of DC's multi-superhero venues takes off with three favorites on the cover drawn by their respective artists; E. E. Hibbard on Flash, Irwin Hasen on Green Lantern, and H. G. Peter on Wonder Woman. The Black Pirate by Sheldon Moldoff, Ghost Patrol, and Red, White, and Blue are featured stories. Bubbling just under the Top 100 Golden Age Books, according to Overstreet, issue #1 would beget a run that would last a cool dozen years. The cardboard covers of the early issues guaranteed a high percentage would not endure in high-grade, so a copy such as this is uncommon. Overstreet 2003 FN 6.0 value = $2,667. Realized $2,070.00

Young Allies Comics #1 (Timely, 1941) CGC VG+ 4.5 Cream to off-white pages. Simon and Kirby art. Origin and first appearance of the Young Allies. Hitler and Red Skull cover. Overstreet 2002 GD 2.0 value = $1,071; FN 6.0 value = $3,214. Realized $1,759.50

Famous Funnies: Carnival of Comics #nn (Eastern Color, 1933) CGC FN- 5.5 Cream to off-white pages. Considered the second comic book. Distributed as premium/giveaway. CGC notes, "Puzzle filled in on 4th page in crayon." Gerber "rare" issue. Overstreet 2003 FN 6.0 value = $2,740. Realized $1,725.00

All Star Comics #6 (DC, 1941) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. Johnny Thunder joins the JSA. Overstreet 2003 VF 8.0 value = $1,875. Realized $1,437.50

Fantastic Four #12 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VF- 7.5 Cream to off-white pages. History is made with the first-ever Marvel crossover! Here it's the Hulk venturing out of his own comic for the very first time to meet the Fantastic Four. The Thing isn't much good at stealthy sneaking, so look for the Hulk to get in the first punch in this Jack Kirby story. Overstreet 2003 VF 8.0 value = $979. Realized $1,383.45

Lone Ranger Comics #1 (Lone Ranger Inc., 1939) CGC VG+ 4.5 Cream to off-white pages. This scarce promotional issue was the first Western comic devoted to a single character. CGC has certified four copies to date, the highest-graded of which boasts a modest FN 6.0. The colors are nice and bright on this copy, more than you might expect for the grade. Overstreet 2003 VG 4.0 value = $1,961. Realized $1,293.75

Bidding closed March 7, at 10pm CT. To bid in future auctions, simply go to Heritage's web site, and join their free web community. Or write or e-mail Heritage for a printed or fax listing.

Heritage's current ACA auction ends (and a new one begins) March 21st, 2004, at 10pm CT. Call today to consign to a future auction, as the earliest consignments receive the most attention and publicity. Those interested in consigning to ACA or to Heritage's live Signature auctions are invited to visit a special section on HCA's website or call Lon Allen directly at 214-252-4261, or email at LonA@HeritageComics.com.

HCA specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.