Heritage Comic Signature Auction Brings $2.19 Million+!

McLaughlin Collection Records Stunning Results

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Auction Galleries' latest Comics Signature Auction, held September 8 & 9 in Baltimore, Maryland in conjunction with Diamond International Galleries, posted results of $2,197,356 for 1,209 lots, with after-auction sales still ongoing and expected to push the total to even higher levels.

"This auction was anchored by the treasures of legendary collector John McLaughlin," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President for Dallas-based Heritage, "and enthusiasts worldwide responded eagerly to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire these rare wonders."

"The highlight of the weekend was, without a doubt, McLaughlin's copy of All-Story Magazine from October 1912, which featured the very first appearance of Tarzan. In beautiful condition, this exceptionally rare and desirable pulp brought $59,750 after some very heated bidding."

"Also offered was a stunning assortment of original art," Jaster said. "This is always a strong area for us, with this auction proving no exception. Topping the list of original art results was the Carmine Infantino/Murphy Anderson cover to Batman #196. A "New Look" cover from this legendary artistic team, this piece, which finished at $59,750, easily exceeded our pre-auction estimate of $35,000."

"There were several other outstanding original art pieces in this auction," Jaster said, "including Frank Frazetta's Battlestar Galactica painting, 'In Pharaoh's Tomb,' and an excellent Peanuts Sunday from 1957, each of which brought an impressive $53,775."

"Another exciting piece, and one rarely seen, was Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's seminal fanzine, entitled Science Fiction, which introduced a character named Superman," Jaster said. "Far different from the Man of Steel we've grown accustomed to - this earlier character was actually a villain! - this is, nonetheless, an important pop cultural artifact, and one that is at the top of the list for any serious Superman collector. The final result of $47,800 proves just how desirable this simple, mimeographed publication is."

"This auction also saw additional offerings from the Davis Crippen Collection," Jaster said. "We sold a number of Crippen's books in our August auction, but we saved some of the best, including his copy of Superman #1, which realized $35,850, for this special event. We'll be presenting more of Crippen's books, as well as more gems from the McLaughlin collection, in upcoming Signature auctions, as well as in our exciting weekly Internet-only auctions. This is a wonderful opportunity for collectors to acquire some of these important books, so I'd encourage everyone to bid early and often!"

Highlights of the August Auction included:

All-Story Oct 1912 (Munsey, 1912) Condition: Apparent FN:
REALIZED: $59,750.

Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson - Batman #196 Cover Original Art (DC, 1967):
REALIZED: $59,750.

Frank Frazetta - "In Pharaoh's Tomb" (Battlestar Galactica) Painting Original Art (1978):
REALIZED: $53,775.

Charles Schulz - Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 10-20-57 (United Features Syndicate, 1957):
REALIZED: $53,775.

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster - "Reign of the Superman" -- Science Fiction Fanzine V1#3 And Others (1933):
REALIZED: $47,800.

Charles Schulz - Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 11-24-57 (United Features Syndicate, 1957):
REALIZED: $47,800.

Police Comics #1 Mile High pedigree (Quality, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 White pages:
REALIZED: $35,850.

Superman #1 Davis Crippen ("D" Copy) pedigree (DC, 1939) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages:
REALIZED: $35,850.

Detective Comics #27 (DC, 1939) Condition: Apparent VG:
REALIZED: $35,850.

Marvel Mystery Comics 132-Page Issue - Variant Edition (Timely, 1943) Condition: VG+:
REALIZED: $28,680.

Heritage Auction Galleries' next Comics Signature Auction will be held November 16-18, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HA.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.HA.com.

To access the Heritage Press Release Archives, please visit www.HA.com/Comics

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.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HA.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HA.com.

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

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