Heritage Comic Signature Auction Brings $2.81 Million+!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Auction Galleries' latest Comics Signature Auction, held August 10-12 in Dallas, Texas, posted results of $2,812,080 for 2,147 lots, with after-auction sales still ongoing and expected to push the total to even higher levels.

"We were thrilled to be able to present the first part of the Davis Crippen Collection in this auction," said Ed Jaster, Vice President for Heritage. "This initial offering of 545 books realized an impressive $724,000, far exceeding our pre-auction estimates. We'll be auctioning more of this 11,000 book collection next month, at our Signature Auction in Baltimore, and throughout the coming year in our weekly Internet-Only auctions at www.HA.com/Comics."

"The shining star of the Crippen Collection was the gorgeous copy of Suspense Comics #3, CGC-graded VF 8.0 with off-white pages, and bearing a classic Alex Schomburg cover," Jaster said. "This beauty easily soared past our pre-auction estimate of $25,000 to reach an impressive $47,800. Other Crippen highlights included Detective Comics #35, CGC-graded FN- 5.5 with off-white pages, which brought $17,925, and Walt Disney's Comics & Stories #1, which realized $13,145."

"Another notable book in this auction, and the one that topped the prices realized list, was the Larson Copy of More Fun Comics #52, CGC-graded NM- 9.2 with off-white to white pages, which sold for $119,500. This is a beautiful copy, and is sure to be the prize in the lucky winner's collection."

Jaster continued, "As always, original art achieved strong prices in this auction. The leader in this category was the exceedingly rare Harvey Kurtzman art for a 5-page complete "Pot-Shot Pete" story that appeared in John Wayne Adventures #5. This gorgeous lot sold for $46,605. The striking Steranko Shadow painting also performed well, bringing $34,057."

"Of course, it wouldn't be a Heritage auction without some fabulous Charles Schulz Peanuts material," Jaster said. "The 1962 Sunday page, featuring a great Snoopy gag complete with doghouse, sold for $31,070, while the 1951 daily, from very early in the strip's life, brought $23,900."

"I'm very much looking forward to our next Signature auction, this time in Baltimore, Maryland in September. I hope everyone will join us there for what is sure to be a memorable event."

Highlights of the August Auction included:

More Fun Comics #52 Larson pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages:
REALIZED: $119,500.

Suspense Comics #3 Davis Crippen ('D" Copy) pedigree (Continental Magazines, 1944) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages:
REALIZED: $47,800.

Harvey Kurtzman - John Wayne Adventure Comics #5 Complete 5-page Story "Pot-Shot Pete, Sheriff of Yucca Pucca Gulch" Original Art (Toby, 1950):
REALIZED: $46,605.

Jim Steranko - The Shadow Painting Original Art (undated):
REALIZED: $34,057.

All Winners Comics #1 (Timely, 1941) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages:
REALIZED: $32,266.

Charles Schulz - Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 9-23-62 (United Feature Syndicate, 1962:
REALIZED: $31,070.

Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 11-5-51 (United Feature Syndicate, 1951):
REALIZED: $23,900.

Floyd Gottfredson and Al Taliaferro - Silly Symphonies Matching Donald Duck Topper and Mickey Mouse Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 3-7-37 (Walt Disney Enterprises, 1937):
REALIZED: $23,900.

Carl Barks - Uncle Scrooge #39 Cover Original Art (Dell, 1962):
REALIZED: $21,510.

Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC FR/GD 1.5 Off-white to white pages:
REALIZED: $19,120.

Heritage Auction Galleries' next Comics Signature Auction will be held September 8 & 9, 2006 in Baltimore, MD. 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.