The Best of Comics and Pop Culture Comes to Heritage!

Dallas, TX: On May 3, 4, & 5 2007, Heritage Auction Galleries will present their latest offering of rare comic books and original comic art at their world headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

"There's just so much prime material in this auction, I hardly known where to begin," said Ed Jaster, Vice President for Heritage. "Perhaps the best place to start is with the four most valuable books in the hobby, as defined by this year's Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide: Action Comics #1, the origin and first appearance of Superman, Detective Comics #27, in which the world was first introduced to Gotham's Guardian, The Batman, Marvel Comics #1, the book that would single-handedly launch a brand that would one day be known worldwide and also featured the premieres of both the Human Torch and Sub-Mariner, and Superman #1, the first issue of the Man of Steel in his own title. Any of these books would be enough to headline an auction by themselves, but combined, they afford an opportunity that rarely presents itself."

"Silver Age collectors will have plenty to fight over as well," said Jaster. "We're very pleased to present the Janowicz Collection, which contains some of the nicest Silver Age Marvels I've ever seen. It's noteworthy not only for its depth - it boasts many important runs from #1 up - but also for its quality. Rarely does one see so many important Silver Age books with such gleaming white pages. One of the nicest books in the collection is an Amazing Spider-Man #1, CGC-graded VF/NM 9.0 with white pages. Truly a stunning copy of a key book. Overall, this is perhaps the best selection of Silver Age books ever presented in a Heritage auction, with lots of titles from both DC and Marvel that are either the sole highest-graded copies or tied for the highest-graded, along with numerous books bearing the coveted 'White Pages' certification. Once these books are absorbed into private collections, it may be quite some time before we see their like again."

Jaster continued, "Additionally, collectors will have a chance to bid on books from the Warren Hall collection, which includes a nice run of the hard-to-find Atlas superhero revival books from the Atomic Age. Particularly nice from this collection is what might be the finest-known copy of Captain America Comics #76, Cap's comeback issue after the cancellation of his original run."

"For those interested in the history of comic books," Jaster said, "we have a rare find, indeed: the earliest known sequential American comic book, published in 1842, entitled The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck, and based on original material by Swiss writer/artist Rodolphe Töpffer. Originally published in Switzerland in 1837 under the title Les Amours de Mr. Vieux Bois (aka Histoire de Mr. Vieux Bois), the work was pirated, translated, and re-drawn by British publisher Tilt and Bogue in 1840. As noted early comics historian Robert Beerbohm observed, 'In a world where international copyright conventions did not exist, this was perfectly legal, if morally questionable.' The British printing plates were re-used for the U.S. version, released by New York's Wilson and Company in 1842."

"The significance of this incredible artifact is hard to overstate," said Jaster, "As the first American comic book, this seminal publication set the stage for a four-color revolution that would take hold almost a century later. It's interesting to note that this copy is printed in black and white and bound with string, as both color printing and staples had yet to be invented!"

"Speaking of black-and-white," Jaster said, "collectors of original comic art have plenty to chose from in this auction. Topping the list is Jack Kirby's original cover art for the landmark Fantastic Four #100, making it the first Marvel superhero comic to publish 100 continuous issues. This incredible cover, featuring the FF and some of their most vituperative villains, is one of the greatest covers in a great run, rendered as only "The King" himself could. Bid on this one before it's too late, as you may never get another chance to own this historical treasure."

"On the off-chance that Kirby's not your thing," Jaster said, "there's plenty more to chose from, including a glorious Steve Ditko Amazing Spider-Man page from issue #23, featuring not only old Web-Head but also his arch-nemesis, the Green Goblin, Robert Crumb's original art for his homemade comic, Arcade, some beautiful Mad cover paintings by such well-known artists as the late, great Kelly Freas, one of Carl Barks' last paintings, 'Eureka! A Goose Egg Nugget' featuring Uncle Scrooge, from the collection of Malcolm Willits, and a breathtaking assortment of animation art rarities, including a rare production cel with background from the 'Rite of Spring' sequence of Walt Disney's Fantasia."

"Of course, this barely scratches the surface of this spectacular auction," Jaster said. "I'd invited everyone to visit our website at www.HA.com, where they can view full-color, enlargeable images of each lot, read our complete and informative catalog descriptions, and even place their bids online from the comfort and convenience of their home or office."

Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction will be held May 3-5, 2007 in their Dallas, Texas world headquarters.

Action Comics #1 (DC, 1938) CGC Apparent VF 8.0 Moderate (P) Cream to off-white pages:
ESTIMATE: $75,000 & up

Detective Comics #27 (DC, 1939) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Moderate (P) Off-white to white pages:
ESTIMATE: $50,000 & up

Marvel Comics #1 Kansas City pedigree (Timely, 1939) CGC Apparent FN/VF 7.0 Slight (P) Off-white to white pages:
ESTIMATE: $30,000 & up

Superman #1 (DC, 1939) CGC Apparent FN/VF 7.0 Slight (P) Off-white to white pages:
ESTIMATE: $25,000 & up

The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages:
ESTIMATE: $25,000 & up

Young Men #24 (Atlas, 1953) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages:
ESTIMATE: $1,500 & up

Captain America Comics #76 (Atlas, 1954) Condition: VF+:
ESTIMATE: $700 & up

Showcase #34 The Atom (DC, 1961) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages:
ESTIMATE: $9,000 & up

The Brave and the Bold #34 Hawkman - Western Penn pedigree (DC, 1961) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages:
ESTIMATE: $7,500 & up

The Brave and the Bold #36 Hawkman - Western Penn pedigree (DC, 1961) CGC NM 9.4 White pages:
ESTIMATE: $2,800 & up

Fantastic Four #18 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4 White pages:
ESTIMATE: $6,000 & up

Journey Into Mystery #112 (Marvel, 1965) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages:
ESTIMATE: $10,000 & up

X-Men #4 (Marvel, 1964) CGC NM 9.4 White pages:
ESTIMATE: $5,000 & up

The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck - First Printing - Brother Jonathan Extra IX Bookstand Edition (Wilson and Company, 1842) Condition: Apparent GD:
ESTIMATE: $10,000 & up

Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott - Fantastic Four #100 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1970):
ESTIMATE: $60,000 & up

Steve Ditko - The Amazing Spider-Man #23, page 8 Original Art (Marvel, 1965):
ESTIMATE: $30,000 & up

Robert Crumb - Arcade #14 Sketchbook Original Art (1961):
ESTIMATE: $25,000& up

Kelly Freas - Mad #58 Cover Painting Original Art (EC, 1960):
ESTIMATE: $50,000 & up

Carl Barks - "Eureka! A Goose Egg Nugget" Painting Original Art (1996):
ESTIMATE: $50,000 & up

"Fantasia" Animation Production Cel and Background Original Art (Disney, 1940):
ESTIMATE: $15,000 & up

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.

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/Sell. 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 visit www.HA.com/Catalog, or contact Customer Service, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 150.