Finest-Known Copy of New Book of Comics #1 to be Offered at Auction!

Dallas, Texas: Before the Man of Steel rocketed to Earth from the doomed planet Krypton, before the Darknight Detective first prowled the shadowed streets of Gotham City, in fact before the very Golden Age of Comics itself, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson released his New Book of Comics, an oversized collection of features reprinted from New Comics #1-4 and More Fun Comics #9. A former US Cavalry officer, Wheeler-Nicholson was a pioneer in the new field of comic books, and his company, National Allied Publications, would eventually become DC Comics, one of the two biggest comics publishers in the world and the home of such iconic characters as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

"Due to its size and its square binding, this comic is rarely found in better than VF condition," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President of Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. In fact, it was not until 2005 that the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide even listed a NM- 9.2 value for this book! Our offering, graded a superb NM 9.4 by CGC, proves that they were right to do so, although its closest competitor on the CGC Census is a mere 8.0."

"This historically-significant book includes work by such legendary creators as Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Shelly Moldoff and Sheldon Mayer," said Jaster. "It was the first regular-sized comic annual, and the second comic annual overall. Gerber rates it an '8' on his rareness scale, and Overstreet notes it as 'rare.' No matter how one slices it, this is a hard-to-find book, and the dazzling condition of this particular example makes it truly one-of-a-kind. Don't miss out on your opportunity to add this exceptional stunner to your collection!"

New Book of Comics #1 (DC, 1937) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages
Estimate: $50,000 & up

The New Book of Comics #1 (DC, 1937) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to 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.