Vintage Comics and Art to be Auctioned in May!

Dallas, Texas: A treasure-trove of vintage comic books, original comic art, character memorabilia and animation art will be featured in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Signature auction.

"We're offering a true smorgasbord of pop culture delights in this upcoming auction," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President of Heritage. "There's truly something for every taste and budget here."

"Of course, vintage comic books are the mainstays of these auctions," said Jaster, "and as part of this event, we're pleased to present the collection of Harold Curtis. This fabulous original owner collection, assembled during the 1940s and 50s, is strongest in DC hero titles, especially those featuring Batman, Curtis' favorite, but includes a fine showing of other genres, such as crime and even romance. Probably the highlight of the collection is Curtis' copy of Batman #33, which not only grades a fantastic Near-Mint 9.4, putting it at the top of the census, it also sports an ultra-rare double cover! This is a book that no serious collector will want to miss."

"No Heritage auction would be complete without a generous selection of high-grade, pedigreed books," Jaster said, "and this one is no exception. Leading the list is the Denver copy of Daring Mystery Comics #1, CGC-graded a superb NM 9.4 with Off-white pages. One of Timely's earliest efforts, following their maiden title, Marvel Comics, by only a few scant months, it may not hold as lofty a place in comics' history as some of its Timely brethren, but Daring Mystery #1 has a lot to recommend it, not the least of which is a stunning cover by the legendary Alex Schomburg featuring bondage, hooded bad guys and action galore!"

"We're also pleased to present a number of other high-grade, important books, such as Fantastic Four #4, graded NM 9.4, Flash #123, which first presented the legendary 'Flash of Two Worlds' story, graded NM- 9.2, and Giant-Size X-Men #1, the book that introduced the new X-Men to the world and changed the landscape of comics forever. This book, graded NM+ 9.6, should be of particular interest this Spring, as the opening of the new movie, X-Men: The Last Stand, starring Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry, will be right around the corner on May 26. By the time of our auction, X-fever should be at an all-time high!"

"Original comic and comic strip art is always an important part of our auctions," Jaster said, "and I'm very excited about many of the pieces we're offering this time around. Just to scratch the surface, I'd mention Winsor McCay's lovely hand-colored original Sunday page, Tales of the Jungle Imps, date 2-22-1903, which tells the story of 'How The Pelican Got His Pouch.' This museum-worthy piece by a comic strip pioneer and visionary who was light-years ahead of his time would compliment even the finest collection of art."

"Harvey collectors will be excited to see our spectacular offerings of the ultimate Richie Rich collectibles," Jaster said. "For the very first time, collectors will have the opportunity to bid on a stunning File Copy of the landmark Richie Rich #1, CGC-graded NM+ 9.6 with Cream to off-white pages, making it the finest copy known to exist, as well as the original art for the cover and interior of this historic comic. The cover, by Warren Kremer, is a gem, one of the true iconic images of the Silver Age, while the interior pieces, by Kremer and fellow Harvey artist Sid Couchey, are veritable treasures from the Harvey vaults. The ownership of these incredible rarities confers much more than mere bragging rights, as Richie Rich #1 is one of the most important books in the history of comics, being the first solo issue of comic's most successful character."

"The history of underground comics may have to be re-written," Jaster said, "once we present the previously-unseen Zap Comix #1 Archives. From the archives of Don Donahue, Apex Novelties founder and printer of the second edition copies of Zap Comix #1, comes this incredible treasure trove of information, receipts, notes, etc. from the halcyon days of the Underground Comix scene, circa 1968. The fortunate winner of this lot will also discover the amount of the profits paid to Crumb ? an amount far too little to mention here, for fear of embarrassing the artist at this late date."

"This is a truly important archive collection," said Jaster, "whose importance in documenting the early days of the Underground Comix movement cannot be overstated. Rarely is one afforded a glimpse 'behind the scenes' at the origins of such a significant social and artistic revolution as this, and the opportunity to possess these important documents may well be a once-in-a-lifetime event."

"We're also excited to present a spectacular collection of animation art, featuring production drawings and cells, limited editions and much more from studios including Disney, Warner Brothers, MGM, Hanna-Barbera, King Features, and many others. There are a number of fine pieces to chose from, but one of my personal favorites is a production drawing of Mickey Mouse from the 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' sequence of Fantasia. Artwork showing Mickey in his Apprentice garb is extremely rare and very sought after by animation aficionados worldwide, so this piece should inspire some spirited bidding."

"Our last few auctions in this field have been particularly strong," said Jaster, "with $3.9 million realized in January, 2006, and $2.4 million realized in October, 2005. This is a strong and healthy market, and this current auction should post similarly strong results."

"The few pieces mentioned here barely scratch the surface of our upcoming auction," Jaster said, "and I'd invite anyone interested to visit our website at www.HeritageAuctions.com/Comics, where they can watch the auction grow and then bid on pieces that strike their fancy. Good luck and happy bidding!"

• Batman #33 Double Cover (DC, 1946) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages.
• Daring Mystery Comics #1 Denver pedigree Timely, 1940) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages.
• Fantastic Four #4 (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages.
• The Flash #123 (DC, 1961) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages.
• Giant-Size X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1975) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages.
• Winsor McCay - A Tale of the Jungle Imps by Felix Fiddle, "How the Pelican Got His Pouch" Hand Colored Illustration Original Art, dated 2-22-03 (Cincinnati Enquirer, 1903).
• Richie Rich the Poor Little Rich Boy #1 File Copy (Harvey, 1960) CGC NM+ 9.6 Cream to off-white pages.
• Warren Kremer and Sid Couchey - Richie Rich the Poor Little Rich Boy #1 Cover and Complete Stories Original Art (Harvey, 1960).
• Zap Comix #1 Publishing Archive Material (1968).
• Walt Disney Studios - "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" Animation Production Drawing Original Art (Disney, 1940).

Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction will be held May 11-13, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/Comics.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

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

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageAuctions.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageAuctions.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HeritageAuctions.com.

Movie poster consignors please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.