The Spectre Haunts Heritage!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Superheroes have, traditionally, paid a variety of prices for their entrance into the super powered community. Some have lost loved ones, some are the sole survivors of alien words, and still others are the victims of nuclear experiments gone wrong. But few have paid as high a price as Detective Jim Corrigan when he became the Spectre.

He actually had to die.

As told in the pages of More Fun Comics #52, cover dated February 1940, Jim Corrigan was on the trail of a notorious criminal when he was waylaid by bandits, stuffed in a cement-filled barrel, and thrown off the end of a pier. Normally, the hero would be rescued at the last minute by some strange and bizarre set of circumstances, but not this time. Corrigan died and appeared beforesomeonewho gave him the powers and abilities of the Spectre, a grim, supernatural character whose purpose was to protect the innocent and bring justice to the guilty. Clad in a blue cape and hood, with blue tights, gloves and boots (the color would change to green shortly thereafter), the Spectre waged a gruesome war against crime, both alone and as a charter member of the Justice Society of America, for years to come.

"The Spectre was one of the most popular characters of the Golden Age," said Ed Jaster, Vice President for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "and, consequently, the book presenting his first appearance is extremely sought-after. Listed as one of the Top Ten Golden Age Comics in the current Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, More Fun Comics #52 always causes a bidding frenzy when it appears at auction."

"Of course, this isn't just any old copy of More Fun Comics #52," said Jaster. "This is the famed Larson copy, a beautiful, high-grade example of this important and significant book. Looking like it could have come off the newsstand yesterday - rather than almost five decades ago - it would be difficult to find a nicer copy of this elusive book. Scarce in any grade, this is without a doubt one of the finest keys we've ever offered at Heritage, and will no doubt be one of the stars of our upcoming auction."

More Fun Comics #52 Larson pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages
Estimate: $125,000 & up

More Fun Comics #52 Larson pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held August 10 -12, 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.