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Fred Ray and Jerry Robinson - Batman #11 Cover Original Art (DC, 1942). With a surreal, hard-hitting battle between the Clown Prince of Crime and the Dynamic Duo, this unbeatable cover is the earliest Batman, Robin, and Joker cover ever offered for public sale! Two young super-stars of DC Comics' Golden Age teamed to illustrate a spectacular slug-fest spotlighting the Joker in his first cover appearance on the Batman title. Only twenty-two years old when this cover was drawn, Fred Ray was an ace staff artist at DC. He was a naturally gifted artist who counted Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth, Hal Foster, and Noel Sickles among his major artistic influences. Fred Ray most likely penciled this scene and then the finished art was "tightened up" and inked by Bob Kane's talented "ghost artist" and assistant, Jerry Robinson. Robinson was a real-life boy wonder, even younger than Fred Ray. At the time he worked on this cover, Jerry was only twenty years old. Jerry Robinson began his comics career at age seventeen, and he recounted how it began: "I'd met Bob Kane the summer after I graduated from high school. In those days white painter's jackets were very popular with the college kids, and students would paint all sorts of razzmatazz on their jackets. I decorated my own as I had been the cartoonist on my high school paper. I was wearing this jacket while waiting to play tennis at a resort when a fellow came up and asked me who had drawn the cartoons. He turned out to be Bob Kane and he offered me a job as his assistant if I was willing to come to New York City. It seemed to be a great way to pay my college expenses, so I moved to New York and transferred to Columbia. I began lettering the strip and inking the backgrounds. After a while, I started to ink the figures as well, and pretty soon Bob would just pencil the strip and I would do the complete inking." In Alter Ego #39, comics historian Jim Amash summed up Jerry Robinson's enormous importance to the Batman feature, "Jerry
Auction 817 | Lot: 6424 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $195,500.00
John Romita Sr. and Mike Esposito - Amazing Spider-Man #41 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1966). The rampaging Rhino makes his Marvel debut in spectacular fashion, running roughshod, right over the webbed wall-crawler! This dynamic "twice-up" cover shows the "Horns of the Rhino" busting through a concrete wall, while Spidey lies dazed in the background. Any "baby boomer" who bought this issue off the spinner-rack probably has the image firmly fixed in his memory -- it's that iconic. It's worth noting this was only John Romita Sr.'s third cover for the title -- clearly Jazzy Johnny was dedicated to making his own contribution to the legacy left behind by Sturdy Steve Ditko -- and for Marvelmaniacs, it doesn't get much better than this! The image area of the cover measures 13.25" x 20.25". The art is in Very Good condition, with some overall wear; there is a light crease at about the Rhino's eye-level, and two small tears in the left margin, one of which has been repaired with tape. There is a small chip out of the lower left corner which does not affect the artwork, and several pin-holes in the margins. None of this has much effect on the overwhelming power of the image, however -- this is one eye-popping display piece, showcasing John Romita Sr. at the height of his talent. It's not just a cool cover, it's a wonderful piece of Silver Age Marvel lore!
Auction 817 | Lot: 6442 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $58,650.00
Young Allies Comics #1 San Francisco pedigree (Timely, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Overstreet lists this issue as the 48th most valuable Golden Age comic of all, so the renowned pedigree and the unbelievable grade of this book mean all that much more, and make this one of the very top offerings in our auction. Simon and Kirby provided the sock'em cover (co-starring the Red Skull and Hitler!) for the issue that brought us the origin and first appearance of the Young Allies and the first meeting of Captain America and the Human Torch. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $23,000. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 5380 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $54,625.00
Fred Ray - Action Comics #45 Cover Original Art (DC, 1942). This rousing scene recalls the dynamism of Superman's first crime-busting attack on the cover of Action Comics #1! Fred Ray brought his superior draftsmanship to fifteen covers of Action Comics, and his association with the Superman character began when his work appeared on the cover of Superman #8, dated January 1941. Fellow Superman "ghost" Jack Burnley was an admirer of Fred Ray's art and wrote a heart-felt appreciation in the pages of Robin Snyder's The Comics. Burnley wrote warmly of his friend's work: "His Superman covers were drawn in the simple style of, and better than, the Shuster studio. Fred improved rapidly and soon he was doing impressive Superman covers that equaled or surpassed mine. Although Wayne Boring has been credited with changing Superman's image from the cartoony Shuster figure to the more realistic modern hero, actually Fred and I were the first to 'modernize' Superman with our covers in the early forties. Fred's outstanding Superman art is enough to earn him a top spot among artists of the fabulous Golden Age." The art was drawn on illustration board and the image area of the cover measures 12.5" x 17.25". Aside from some glue staining to the original title logo stat and to a pasted-on art correction over the gunman's arm at the lower left, the art is in Excellent condition.
Auction 817 | Lot: 6425 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $51,750.00
Fred Ray - Action Comics #51 Cover Original Art (DC, 1942). Armed only with a squirt gun and a "foolproof plot," the Prankster made his leering debut on this smashing cover. The Prankster was the second major Superman supervillain to grab the limelight on an Action Comics cover. Comics historian Les Daniels wrote about the Mirthful Miscreant's appeal: "A key ingredient in the success of Superman during what is now called the Golden Age of comic books was a sense of humor. 'There was a spirit of fun in the thing' said Jerry Siegel. 'And as a matter of fact, Joe and I, when we first started going into comics, had intended to do a comedy strip. So we were very comedy oriented, and that's why Superman did have this comic flair to it.' Superman couldn't be defeated, but he could be deflated, and many of the most memorable enemies of his early years were clowns. The earliest opponent to really play for laughs was the Prankster. A corny practical joker who considered himself 'the funniest man in the world,' the Prankster had a bulbous body, a scrawny neck, and a goofy gap-toothed grin. Time and again, the Prankster's needling hurt Superman more than a dozen death rays." Fred Ray's portrayal of Superman bursting through a brick wall, drawn using dynamic foreshortening, is magnificent. Ray recalled the day he was hired by DC Comics in 1940: "I took a portfolio to New York and was hired my first day there by Whitney Ellsworth at Detective Comics, Inc." Reportedly, Fred Ray was paid a salary of $35 a week, a sound investment considering all the masterpieces of cover art he ultimately created for key DC titles like Superman, Action Comics, Batman, and World's Finest Comics. This incredible piece was drawn on illustration board and the image area of the cover measures 12.5" x 17.25". Aside from some very mild aging to the original title logo stat, and a missing line of type in the caption box at the lower right, the art is in Excell
Auction 817 | Lot: 6426 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $51,750.00
Batman #1 (DC, 1940) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white pages. Overstreet currently ranks just five other comic books higher on its list of the Top Golden Age Books. Not long after Batman was introduced in Detective Comics in 1939, it was apparent that one comic book title was not enough to showcase the adventures of the superhero and his Boy Wonder sidekick, Robin. Like his pal Superman, Batman would star in dozens of titles over the next 65 years, maintaining his tremendous popularity to this very day. Co-creator Bob Kane fashioned the cover and did the interior art for this premiere issue, which featured the origin of Batman and the first appearances of the Joker and the Cat (later Catwoman). One of the crown jewels of our auction! Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $50,000. CGC census 5/05: 2 in 7.5, 5 higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4279 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $48,875.00
Captain America Comics #1 (Timely, 1941) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. One of the best-known and most beloved comic books of all time is this one, the origin and first appearance of Captain America, and we've got an unrestored copy that's topped by only four others in CGC's census. This milestone is the work of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Simon explained the inspiration behind the cover villain thusly: "There had never been a truly believable villain in comics. But Adolf was live, hated by more than half the world... I could smell a winner." And a winner it was, though S&K weren't done yet, adding a very memorable fictional villain in the Red Skull. And of course, the issue also features the first appearance of Cap's sidekick, Bucky Barnes. An unrestored copy in this grade is pretty amazing stuff indeed. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $50,000. CGC census 7/05: 5 in 8.0, 4 higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 5169 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $46,000.00
Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta - Thor #134 Complete 16-page Story, "The People-Breeders" Original Art (Marvel, 1966). "The People-Breeders" was billed as a Stan Lee and Jack Kirby "fantasti-classic," and it was! This epic saga featured appearances by the Mighty Thor, the Recorder, Tana Nile and the colonizers of Rigel, a stunning splash page of Galactus, a knockout of a two-thirds splash page of the High Evolutionary and the New-Men of Wundagore, cameos by the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, Jane Foster, and finally, the birth of the Man-Beast. The image area of each "twice-up" page measures approximately 12.5" x 18", and aside from touches of white-out used for art corrections, the art is in Excellent condition. Stats that read, "Watch Marvel Super-heroes on TV,",are found on the bottom of several of the pages. This truly was a mighty Marvel milestone that will be a prized showpiece for any Marvellite!
Auction 817 | Lot: 6329 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $46,000.00
John Byrne and Terry Austin - X-Men #114 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1978). This is the first X-Men cover by the team of John Byrne and Terry Austin, one of the most acclaimed penciler/inker combinations of all time. It's also only the second X-Men cover with Byrne pencils. While many fan-favorite artists have drawn the X-Men since Byrne and Austin's run, none have surpassed the efforts of that celebrated twosome. And X-Men covers by the duo are in scant supply, to the chagrin of art collectors. And this is one of the very best covers of the Byrne/Austin run -- though the two were the regular artists on the series for three and a half years, the duo teamed for only sixteen covers, and the majority of those featured scenes spotlighting only a few members of the X-Men. This group portrait is special, as it features not only all of the new X-Men, but also four of the original team -- Cyclops, Jean Grey, the Beast, and Professor X! In this somber scene, the missing X-Men are mourned because the Beast and Phoenix believed themselves to be the sole survivors of an explosion (in the previous issue). As it happened, the rest of the team had escaped destruction by tunneling down to the Savage Land; many issues would pass before Dr. Xavier found out his charges were still alive. Byrne's characterization and use of dramatic light and shadow, all enhanced by Austin's unparalleled embellishments, make this one of the most outstanding Marvel Bronze Age covers ever offered in the marketplace. The image area measures 10" x 15", and the art is in Excellent condition.
Auction 817 | Lot: 6096 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $43,125.00
Adventure Comics #42 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1939) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. The original Golden Age Sandman, complete with mask, green hat, purple cape, and gas gun, makes his second cover appearance with this issue. This Creig Flessel illustration is fantastic -- very moody and atmospheric. Even more fantastic is this pedigreed copy, originally part of the legendary Edgar Church collection, and the highest graded copy (by a long shot; the next best comes in at a paltry 7.0) currently listed by CGC. Finding a copy of this 1939 gem can be a real chore that may take many years; finding one as nice as this is nearly impossible! Aren't you glad you're a Heritage customer? This one's yours -- for the right bid! Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $10,500. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.4, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4195 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $34,500.00
All-Flash #1 (DC, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Sensational copy of one of the most valuable comic books of the Golden Age of Comics (#44 in Overstreet's Top 100 ranking). No higher grade has been certified by CGC for this key issue to date. The Fastest Man Alive had appeared in Flash Comics for over a year, but had to share the limelight with other superheroes and features. With this issue, DC began a new title devoted entirely to the exploits of the Flash. The issue featured a retelling of the speedster's origin. E. E. Hibbard's cover and story art defined the look of the Golden Age Flash. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $24,000. CGC census 5/05: 2 in 9.4, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4242 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $34,500.00
Charles Schulz - Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 10-24-54 (United Features Syndicate, 1954). If anyone needs a "security blanket" to comfort him from feelings of discouragement, it is good ol' Charlie Brown! The security blanket was cited in Rheta Grimsley Johnson's biography, Good Grief -- The Story of Charles M. Schulz, as one of the "twelve devices" created for Peanuts that has stood the test of time for the readers. Linus, the usual holder of the blanket, first appeared with his security blanket in the June 1 and 2, 1954 dailies. Lucy soon convinced Charlie Brown he needed a security blanket too. The next appearance of a security blanket was in the Sunday dated a week before this one, when Charlie Brown bought the "outing flannel" neccessary to make his own blanket. Now converted, Charlie Brown explains the virtues of his security blanket to a puzzled Patty and Violet, and even "outs" Schroeder as a blanket holder! This hilarious strip was reprinted on page 284 of Fantagraphics Books' The Complete Peanuts 1953 to 1954. The image area of this Sunday is 22.75" x 15.25", and the art is in Excellent condition.
Auction 817 | Lot: 5544 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $34,500.00
Action Comics #25 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. If you collect Golden Age, you'll never find a nicer specimen of a comic from that era than this one right here. We can say flat-out that this is the nicest early Action issue you'd ever find, and whatever might have prevented this one from being a 9.8 isn't apparent to us. We'd be raving about the knockout colors and edges of this book even if it were from some obscure title with a third-tier hero, but this is Action Comics and an American icon, Superman! We see high-grade Golden Age books a lot here at Heritage, but we can only doff our caps to this one. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's character is the lead feature, of course, but there's also the Black Pirate by Sheldon Moldoff, Zatara drawn by Fred Guardineer, and many other features in these pages. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $4,000. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4174 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $27,600.00
Sensation Comics #1 Crowley Copy pedigree (DC, 1942) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white to white pages. The second appearance of Wonder Woman, this key book is listed among the 30 most valuable comics by Overstreet, and to date only two copies have been CGC-certified with higher grades than this one! This copy is from the collection of Wendell Crowley, an editor at rival publisher Fawcett who was by all accounts a devoted fan of comics as well. Wonder Woman got the starring role in this first issue close on the heels of her first appearance in All-Star Comics #8. Also making their debuts were two other DC heroes of note, neither of whom had super powers, but both of whom were handy with their fists: Mr. Terrific and Wildcat. H. G. Peter drew the Wonder Woman story; the issue's other artists include Sheldon Moldoff, Irwin Hasen, and Howard Purcell. We should also note that murmurs of a Wonder Woman movie mention a 2006 release date, which means now might be the time to start securing the heroine's key comic book appearances. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $19,400; VF/NM 9.0 value = $31,700. CGC census 5/05: 3 in 8.5, 2 higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4496 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $27,600.00
The Human Torch #2 (#1) (Timely, 1940) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. This key Timely book, the first appearance of Toro, moved up in the 2005 Overstreet ranking of the most valuable comic books, going from 21st to 18th. Toro, the Torch's equally fiery sidekick, would be a Timely standby for years thereafter, most impressively on a run of Alex Schomburg covers, so it's appropriate that this first cover appearance is also the work of Schomburg. Incidentally, since mutants are all the rage these days, we should note that Toro was one of the very first mutant superheroes, in contrast to the Torch, who was an android! And let's not forget that Timely's other top hero of the day, the Sub-Mariner, appears here as well. It's interesting to note that the heroes were already taking on the Nazi menace in this Fall 1940 issue, more than a year before the U.S. would actually enter the war. The roster of interior artists includes Timely's top talents of the day: Carl Burgos, Bill Everett, Joe Simon, and Paul Reinman to name a few. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $21,600. CGC census 5/05: 3 in 8.0, 2 higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 5225 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $27,600.00
Wonder Woman #1 Crowley Copy pedigree (DC, 1942) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. After just a few months in Sensation Comics, Wonder Woman had become too popular for that title alone, and this first issue of her own book started a four-decade run. The heroine not only became a household name, she also joined Superman and Batman as the only superheroes to be in continuous publication even through the "dark years" of the early 1950s. Wonder Woman's early adventures still fascinate today, mainly because the Amazon's creator, William Moulton Marston, wrote unorthodox stories of the kind you wouldn't see in any other book, and for that matter H. G. Peter's art also stood out from anything else on the stands. As you might expect from a #1 issue, the heroine's origin story is retold and expanded upon here. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $16,500. CGC census 6/05: 4 in 8.0, 2 higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4560 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $24,725.00
Adventure Comics #79 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1942) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. One of the top creative teams to work in the comic book field during the Golden Age was Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who managed to breathe life into any project they touched for DC. This highly desirable World War II-era copy of Adventure features not only a classic cover by the duo, starring a gigantic Manhunter stalking a Nazi sub with harpoon in hand, but also a great Simon & Kirby Sandman story inside. This jaw-dropper of a gem copy exhibits all the eye-appeal you can expect to see from an Edgar Church Mile High example. The cover colors are simply fantastic! And what better way to enjoy a classic cover could there be than owning the very best copy known to exist? This is it! Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $3,200. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4207 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $21,850.00
X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. The X-Men are the most popular superhero group around, and here's one of the nicest copies you'll find of the group's first appearance. The X-Men were so named because of their "X-tra power," and this issue introduces the super-powered teens: there's the winged Angel, the ultra-agile Beast, the eye-beam-shooting Cyclops (who in a typical Stan Lee twist, didn't want his powers), frosty Iceman, and the telekinetic Marvel Girl. Also making their debuts here were the group's mind-reading mentor Professor X and the mutants' most important foe, Magneto, all with impressive visuals by Jack Kirby. The fact that Iceman's role in the movies seems to be expanding, and that the second film even offered a very brief glimpse of the Beast, could make the first appearances of these characters even more valuable in years to come. As it stands, this issue is on Overstreet's list of the top ten Silver Age books. An unrestored NM- copy of this key book is quite a catch indeed. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $13,000. CGC census 6/05: 12 in 9.2, 6 higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 1356 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $21,006.00
New Comics #1 (DC, 1935) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. This is the first issue of DC Comics' second series, and the existence of a NM- copy comes as quite a surprise. Overstreet doesn't list values for grades above VF for this Platinum Age book, and that's understandable -- since the issue predates comic book collecting, it was hardly to be expected that a copy would be preserved in such amazing condition! This ultra-early DC appeared more than a year earlier than Detective Comics #1, and two and a half years before Action Comics #1. This title ran 11 issues as New Comics before turning into New Adventure Comics and then becoming the title DC fans of every generation grew up with, Adventure Comics. The series had a lifespan of 48 years and 503 issues, and this key first issue is ranked among the 100 most valuable comic books by Overstreet. It's got a cover by Vin Sullivan, with interior art by early DC aces Sheldon Mayer and Whitney Ellsworth, as well as a name that may surprise you: Walt Kelly! This copy of the historic issue is by far the highest-graded in CGC's census, in fact it's the only copy to be graded above FN/VF by CGC to date. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $20,000 (no values for higher grades are listed by Overstreet). CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.2, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4484 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $20,700.00
Daring Mystery Comics #2 Larson pedigree (Timely, 1940) CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages. This is the highest-graded copy of this issue, and the only one to be certified above VF- as of this writing. The issue is termed "rare" by both Gerber and Overstreet. The book's got a cover by the masterful Alex Schomburg and interior art by Joe Simon. And our offering is from one of the more famous pedigree collections, namely that of Nebraska-based Lamont Larson. Though we've got oodles of great Timely books in this catalog, this lot would have to stand as one of the gems of the sale! Overstreet 2005 VF/NM 9.0 value = $11,250; NM- 9.2 value = $15,500. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.0, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 5218 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $18,400.00
Wonderworld Comics #3 (Fox, 1939) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. This 9.4 copy is the best one available according to CGC's census, and seldom has the margin been so wide, with the only other unrestored copy as of this writing checking in at 2.0. This is the first issue of the title (with the numbering continued from Wonder Comics), and it features the first appearance of the Flame, drawn by Lou Fine. That flamethrower-wielding hero actually predates the first appearance of the fiery Human Torch in Marvel Comics #1! The comic was the work of the Eisner-Iger studio, which means big-name artists participated, among them Will Eisner, Bob Powell, and the great Fine. The cover of this tough-to-find issue, a Gerber "7," is a collaboration between Eisner and Fine. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $10,200. CGC census 6/05: 1 in 9.4, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4132 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $15,525.00
All-Flash #2 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages. The Fastest Man Alive almost whizzes past this cover, as he carries a collared crook straight to the clink. These Golden Age All-Flash comics actually seem more like graphic novels by today's standards -- instead of four separate tales, this has one long story between its covers (this one even recaps the Flash's origin). And be careful gazing at the brilliant yellow-background cover; better put on sunglasses first! Yes, this is a typically terrific Edgar Church Mile High comic, and yes, it's the highest graded copy to date according to CGC. Note that the very small white speck you might see near the bottom of this book is not a flaw, but a bit of plastic loose inside the CGC holder that does not compromise the integrity of the holder or affect the comic. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $5,000. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4243 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $14,950.00
All-American Comics #16 (DC, 1940) CGC VG- 3.5 Cream to off-white pages. According to Overstreet, this is the fifth most valuable comic book of all, trailing only the "big four" of Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27, Marvel Comics #1, and Superman #1. This one has the origin and first appearance of the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott. But why, you ask, is it valued higher than the debuts of other DC heroes? That has to do with the scarcity of the book: Overstreet calls it "rare," while Gerber gives it a 7, meaning "scarce." To date, CGC hasn't awarded a higher grade than FN- 5.5 for an unrestored copy, so a VG- is quite competitive with the rest of the field. The interior art on the GL story is by the character's creator Martin Nodell, credited as "Mart Dellon." Nodell got help on this issue's script from Bill Finger of Batman fame. The two came up with an appealing hero who spends this first story finding out the extent of his new powers (his major vulnerability was to anything made of wood). The issue's cover is by Sheldon Moldoff. Incidentally, the comic is far from an all-superhero affair -- the backup features include Mutt and Jeff as well as Sheldon Mayer's comic artist character Scribbly. CGC notes, "2 pieces of tape on cover." Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $18,286. CGC census 6/05: 3 in 3.5, 6 higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4228 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $14,375.00
Carl Barks - The Caliph of Bagdad Painting Original Art (1978). No one drew ducks quite as well, or as successfully, as Carl Barks. His series of comic book stories featuring Walt Disney's Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge delighted young and old alike from 1943 until 1966, and it will be remembered (and reprinted) for many years to come. When finally freed from his Disney duties, Barks turned his talents, and his incredible imagination, over to a series of paintings referred to as "Famous figures of history as they might have looked had their genes gotten mixed with waterfowl." Whew! What a winner we have with this fabulous painting! It's been a fan favorite for years, reproduced as a limited-edition print, and was also featured in Barks' book of non-Disney duck paintings, Animal Quackers. This oil-on-masonite illustration measures 14" x 18", and is in Excellent condition. Finding an original piece of art by the late Carl Barks is a chore in itself; finding a piece of this high quality is getting close to impossible! Better bid early and often if you want this remarkable (and quite risque) rendering by the Good Duck Artist hanging in your home!
Auction 817 | Lot: 6010 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $14,375.00
Adventure Comics #62 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. Unbelievable copy - no, wait, it's from Edgar Church's collection, so a NM+ 9.6 copy is so believable! No other copy has earned a grade higher than VF/NM 9.0 to date. Jack Burnley provides the art for the Starman cover and interior story. Two other Golden Age greats, Creig Flessel and Howard Purcell, also provide story artwork. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $2,500. CGC census 6/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4201 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $13,800.00
Sub-Mariner Comics #3 Chicago pedigree (Timely, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. And you thought we'd run out of the outrageously supreme stuff! Au contraire - take this remarkable pedigree copy of one of Timely's most desirable early titles, from the early days of WWII. Alex Schomburg's cover depicting the attempted assassination of Winston Churchill is a classic. Schomburg also worked his magic on the interior, along with Al Gabriele and Bill Everett. To date, CGC hasn't certified another copy of #3 that comes close to our offering. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $6,200. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 5340 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $13,800.00
Top-Notch Comics #2 Mile High pedigree (MLJ, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. This is one of the earliest offerings by MLJ, the publisher that would eventually give us Archie and then change the company name to Archie. The issue has the first appearance of a Nazi swastika on a comic book cover according to Overstreet. It's amazing in a way, since the Pep issues of the same era didn't even come out and call the villains Germans, relying on "Nordics" and other such vague terms. Edd Ashe did the cover honors for this issue, while the more famous Jack Cole contributed a Manhunters story. "Top-notch" is certainly the appropriate term for this Edgar Church copy, it's the best one yet certified by CGC. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $3,200. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4070 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $8,050.00
Action Comics #98 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1946) CGC NM/MT 9.8 Off-white to white pages. This bright, bold, and beautiful copy beats the number two (gradewise) copy in CGC's census by 9.8 to 9.2. Yet another instance where the Mile High copy is the finest in existence. Wayne Boring created the cover; interior artists include Mort Meskin on the Vigilante feature. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $925. CGC census 7/05: 1 in 9.8, none higher.
Auction 817 | Lot: 4182 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $8,050.00
Bill Everett - Strange Tales #149, Splash Page 1 Original Art (Marvel, 1966). The evil Kaluu, freed from five hundred years of exile in the nameless dimension, has returned to exact vengeance upon his former companion, the wise, venerated Ancient One. This splash page, from the story, "If Kaluu Should Triumph...," written by Denny O'Neil, was penciled and inked by one of the Golden Age masters of comic book art, Bill Everett. Set against a paranormal panorama, the Ancient One and Dr. Strange are seized by unseen forces, all courtesy of one of the industry's legendary artists. The art has a 12.5" x 19" image area, and includes the original title type, and hand-drawn credit art. There is some slight aging apparent, a slight stain along the top edge, and some minimal white-out usage, but otherwise, this work is in Excellent condition.
Auction 817 | Lot: 6185 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $5,462.50
Jack Kirby - Speed Comics #23 Cover Original Art (Harvey, 1942). This World War II era Jack Kirby cover shows Harvey's response to the other star-spangled superheroes bursting onto the scene, flag-wavers such as Captain America, the Shield, and Captain Flag. Patriotic fervor was all the newsstand rage, and Kirby was a master of this genre. This is as fine a Golden Age cover example as is likely to be offered. Work of this caliber and era does not come to market often. The logo, "film strip" hero portraits, and caption box are photocopied replacements; otherwise, this piece is in Very Good condition. There are moderate white-out touch-ups on the cover that do little to detract from the impact of the image. The image size is 10.5" x 14.25", and this cover has been matted to a size of 16" x 19.5".
Auction 817 | Lot: 6306 | Aug 13, 2005

Sold For: $4,800.00

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