Dallas, TX – Heritage Auction Galleries’ latest auction of rare comic books and original comic book art realized $3,987,557 for 1,111 lots offered, although after auction sales are still ongoing, and are expected to raise the final total to even higher levels.
“As can easily be seen by looking at the top results, this auction was about two things: original art and Mile High comics,” said Ed Jaster, Vice-President for Dallas-based Heritage. “The entire spectrum of original art collecting was represented here, from Charles Schulz’s wholesome, All-American Peanuts strips to the underground greatness of Robert Crumb, and virtually everything in between.”
“The Peanuts Sunday dated 9-8-57 represents the second time we’ve cracked six figures for one of these iconic pieces,” Jaster said, “and the highly desirable page from X-Men #1, featuring the very first appearance of the X-Men’s arch-foe Magneto, which brought $53,775, marks our highest result ever for a single Silver Age page. The Robert Crumb pages from Big Ass Comics #1 performed far above expectations as well, averaging an impressive $17,000 per page, with top honors going to Page 1 of “All Meat Comics,” which brought $77,675 all on its own.”
“Also offered in this auction were the Mile High copies of Flash Comics #2-24 and #60,” Jaster said, “some of the most hotly desired books from the Gold Age of Comics. We offered the remainder of the run in a previous auction, and were proud to bring these beauties to the collecting public. Residing at the very top of the CGC Census, these exceptional books inspired spirited bidding. All told, the impressive run offered in this auction brought a whopping $553,583.”
Jaster continued, “Another important part of this auction was the Don Vernon collection, containing comics, original art, and more. Don was a passionate collector of comics, comic art, memorabilia, Big Little Books – literally, anything that brought back memories of his childhood – who passed away recently. We’re proud to have been able to memorialize his efforts and present his material to the collecting world. Don’s labor of love brought $784,744 in total, including $47,800 for his Carl Barks Uncle Scrooge painting, and a total of $74,090 for the three consecutive Prince Valiant Sunday strips. As impressive as this offering was, there’s still quite a lot from the Don Vernon Collection yet to be offered, so those who appreciate the efforts of this dedicated collector should keep their eyes on future auctions.”
“We’re actively working on putting our next exciting auction together,” Jaster said, “and I’d invite all my fellow pop culture enthusiasts to keep an eye on our website at www.HA.com to watch the auction as it grows.”
Highlights of the auction included:
Charles Schulz Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 9-8-57 (United Features Syndicate, 1957 REALIZED: $101,575
Alex Raymond Flash Gordon with Matching Jungle Jim Topper Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 7-21-35 (King Features Syndicate, 1935) REALIZED: $77,675
Robert Crumb Big Ass Comics #1 “All Meat Comics” Page 1 Original Art (Rip Off Press, 1969) REALIZED: $77,675
Charles Schulz Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 12-8-68 (United Feature Syndicate, 1968 REALIZED: $71,700
Flash Comics #6 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages REALIZED: $65,725
Al Feldstein Weird Science #15 (#4) Cover Original Art (EC, 1950) REALIZED: $59,750
Robert Crumb Big Ass Comics #1 “All Meat Comics” Page 3 Original Art (Rip Off Press, 1969) REALIZED: $59,750
Jack Kirby and Paul Reinman X-Men #1 Magneto’s Very First Appearance, page 11 Original Art (Marvel, 1963) REALIZED: $53,775
Flash Comics #2 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM 9.4 White pages REALIZED: $53,775
Detective Comics #27 (DC, 1939) CGC Apparent FN/VF 7.0 Extensive (P) White pages REALIZED: $50,787
Bob Kane – Large Vintage Batman Specialty Illustration Original Art (dated 1941) REALIZED: $47,800
Carl Barks – Uncle Scrooge Painting Original Art (undated) REALIZED: $47,800
Frank Frazetta Devil Rider Painting Original Art (circa 1970) REALIZED: $41,825
Flash Comics #3 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages REALIZED: $41,825
Robert Crumb Big Ass Comics #1 “All Meat Comics” Page 2 Original Art (Rip Off Press, 1969) REALIZED: $41,825
Flash Comics #10 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM 9.4 White pages REALIZED: $38,837
Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers Avengers #1 page 16 Original Art (Marvel, 1963) REALIZED: $38,837
Flash Comics #14 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages REALIZED: $35,850
Adventure Comics #40 (DC, 1939) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Cream to off-white pages REALIZED: $35,850
Flash Comics #9 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages REALIZED: $33,460
The Brave and the Bold #60 Teen Titans – Pacific Coast pedigree (DC, 1965) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages REALIZED: $8,365; 37X Guide!
Hal Foster Prince Valiant Sunday Comic Strip #1122 Original Art, dated 8-10-58 (King Features Syndicate, 1958) REALIZED: $21,510
Hal Foster Prince Valiant Sunday Comic Strip #1123 Original Art, dated 8-17-58 (King Features Syndicate, 1958) REALIZED: $33,460
Hal Foster Prince Valiant Sunday Comic Strip #1124 Original Art, dated 8-24-58 (King Features Syndicate, 1958) REALIZED: $19,120
Heritage’s next Vintage Comic and Comic Art Signature® auction will be held November 13-14, 2008, in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HA.com.