While a truly exceptional CGC-Certified 8.0 copy of Detective Comics #27, the very first appearance of Batman, is readying for its potentially world record-breaking hobby debut (pre-auction estimate is $300,000+) in Heritage Auction Galleries’ February 25-27, 2010 Signature Comics & Comic Art Auction, the surrounding field of choice comics and original comic art shines equally as bright in its own right.
"Almost all of the most sought-after comics from the Golden Age are in this catalog,” said Ed Jaster, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “Superman #1, Batman #1, two copies of Detective #27, two copies of Captain America Comics #1 and three copies of Marvel Comics #1, and that just scratches the surface.”
The Marvel Comics #1 Pay Copy (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages, is one of the most famous single comics in the hobby; it may be tied with one other at the top of CGC's census, yet it is equaled by none in terms of significance, and in any other comics auction this would be the anchor lot. It is estimated at $200,000+.
"You'll find this copy in the Guinness Book of World Records thanks to a 2001 private treaty sale that was reported at $350,000," said Jaster. "While it's rumored that other books might have been included in that private treaty, the very strong demand for this special copy is underlined by its sale in a 2006 Heritage auction for $201,250 and the subsequent 2007 sale when it was purchased by the present owner for $205,000. These are the second and third-highest auction prices for a comic book at Heritage to date. "
While the spotlight will be on these rarities from the 1930s and 1940s, another marquee comic in the sale hails from 1960, a Near-Mint CGC Certified copy of Green Lantern #1 (DC, 1960).
“Green Lantern #1 is not a rare comic as such, but it’s almost impossible to find in pristine condition,” said Jaster. “We have the only copy that’s ever been certified Near Mint to date. We’re expecting it to sell for a price well into five figures. Like the Detective #27 and the Marvel Comics Pay Copy, it’s being auctioned without reserve and with no minimum bid.”
Many of the high-end comics in this auction come to Heritage courtesy of The Pinnacle Hill Collection, a recently uncovered comics trove that has the hobby buzzing about the abundance of high quality important early titles in this epic grouping.
Original comic illustration art is always and important facet of Heritage Signature® Comic and Comic Art Auctions, and the Feb. 25-27 event continues to show why Heritage is the dominant player in the original art market. Chief among original art offerings are several Peanuts strips featuring iconic themes, among them a Charles Schulz Peanuts Snoopy vs. the Red Baron Sunday Comic Strip Original Art dated 7-31-66 (United Feature Syndicate, 1966), estimated at $50,000+.
Another strip favorite for many decades was Prince Valiant, whose meticulously illustrated adventures appeared each Sunday. Hal Foster, regarded as the father of illustrational action-adventure cartooning, drew the strip for its first 35 years, and several examples of his work are in the auction including this striking 1956 Sunday strip. Several other examples by Foster and his successor John Cullen Murphy are offered in the auction, as is the original art for the one and only Prince Valiant Sunday Comic Strip, #1762, dated 11-15-70 (King Features Syndicate, 1970) done by legendary Mad artist Wally Wood.
The greatest comic book artists of the 20th century are also well-represented, including a wide selection of the work of perhaps the best-known comic artist, Jack Kirby. The highlight piece is this original Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta cover art for Thor #132, Thor vs. the Colonizers of Rigel (Marvel, 1966).
"Very few original Marvel covers from this period have survived,” said Jaster, “and they’re treasured by collectors because they’re drawn in a larger format than the art of the 1970s and later.”
While the Marvel Comics fan usually named Kirby as his favorites, any readers whose allegiance was to DC couldn’t help but be a Joe Kubert fan. Kubert, still active after a stunning 70 years as a professional artist, consigned a selection of works from his personal archives.
Like many comic artists, Kubert is Jewish, and he didn’t shy away from taking on the wrenching topic of the Warsaw Ghetto on this art for Unknown Soldier #247.
Kubert is not only a favorite of fans, he’s also idolized by his fellow artists,” said Jaster, “and we’re thrilled to be selling artwork of his that hasn’t been offered for public sale before.”
Heritage Auctions, headed by Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin and Greg Rohan, is the world’s third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $600 million, and 475,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.
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