Dallas, TX – Twenty-six of the sought-after “Mile High” copies of Flash Comics from 1942-1949 will be auctioned by Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas on May 22, with a pre-auction estimate of well over $100,000.
The designation “Mile High copy” refers to the Edgar Church Collection, discovered in Denver, CO in the 1970s and by general consensus considered the greatest vintage comic collection ever assembled thanks to the pristine condition of the comics. Very often, the “Mile High” copy is the finest known copy of a given comic, and when a Mile High comes up for sale, collectors tend to pay multiples of the usual market value.
The run being offered begins with issue #27 and ends with #104, when the original series ceased publication. Many of the issues offered have been certified Near Mint (9.4) or Near Mint Plus (9.6) by CGC.
“Ever since these copies were pictured in the Photo-Journal, one of the best known reference books on comics, collectors have admired the fresh cover colors,” said Heritage Vice-President Ed Jaster. “Not only do the comics live up to that when you see them in person, the page quality is superior. Copies that are this nice have a way of disappearing into collections and never seeing the light of day again!”
Highlights of the collection include:
Flash Comics #104 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1949) CGC NM 9.4 White pages: The only copy certified with a grade above 8.5. The last issue of the original series. Estimate: $20,000 – up
Flash Comics #92 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1948) CGC NM- 9.2 White pages: Key issue with the first cover appearance of Black Canary. Estimate: $10,000 – up
Flash Comics #88 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1947) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages: The only copy certified above VF/NM 9.0 to date. Estimate: $8,000 – up
Flash Comics #95 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1948) CGC NM- 9.2 White pages: Black-cover issue, seldom seen in any grade. Estimate: $6,000 – up
Flash Comics #98 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1948) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages: The only copy graded above 8.5 by CGC to date. Estimate: $6,000 – up
Heritage’s Vintage Comic and Comic Art auction will be held February 28-29, 2008, in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HA.com.