Heritage Comic Auction Pulls Out All the Stops!

Auction to be Held At Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore

Dallas, TX: "This may well be the most exciting auction we've ever held," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President for Heritage Auction Galleries.

"For the very first time, we're holding an auction at Steve Geppi's Entertainment Museum," said Jaster. "Located at the world famous Camden Yards, the museum presents the story of popular culture from the eighteenth century to the present day. As Heritage is the world's largest collectibles auctioneer, specializing in exactly the kind of material to which the Entertainment Museum is dedicated, this seemed to be a natural fit. In fact, we're hoping to make this auction in Baltimore an annual event."

"Aside from the location, what makes this auction so special?" Jaster said, "Well, to start with, how about the legendary 'Pay Copy' of Marvel Comics #1, the book that introduced the Human Torch and Sub-Mariner and began the empire that would eventually become today's Marvel Comics. This particular copy, from the files of Funnies Inc. publisher Lloyd Jacquet, was used to record payment details to all the creators who contributed to this landmark issue. Aside from being a high-grade beauty - CGC graded it a VF/NM 9.0 with white pages - this is a one-of-a-kind piece of comics history."

"Almost as impressive as the Pay Copy, from an historical standpoint," Jaster said, "are the bound office copies of Golden Age comics that came from the estate of M.C. Gaines, co-publisher of the All-American Comics line. Offered in this auction are Gaines' personal reference copies of such incredible runs as All-Star Comics #1-12, Flash Comic #1-12, All-American Comics #13-24, Sensation Comics #1-12, and Green Lantern #1-12, along with many others. Bound volumes have been increasing in popularity over the last few years, but volumes combining this degree of rarity, desirability and pedigree are almost unheard of. Best of all, these books are in beautiful condition, save for the natural bindery trimming, and will be a treat to read and enjoy for years to come."

"Even more treasures await the Golden Age aficionado in this auction," Jaster said, such as the Mile High copy of Green Lantern #1, CGC-graded Apparent VF+ 8.5 with slight amateur restoration and white pages. Alongside this classic book, we're proud to present the entire Mile High run of this incredibly desirable series, all CGC-graded and including some real beauties, like a Green Lantern #8, a classic cover issue, CGC-graded an incredible NM+ 9.6 with white pages."

"Of course, we haven't forgotten those collectors who specialize in Silver and Bronze Age books, either," Jaster said. "Featured in this section of the auction is the Keith Marlow Collection, spotlighting some of the toughest books to find from the Silver Age, the DC War comics. Keith diligently assembled an impressive collection of these hard-to-find books, including copies of every major DC war key, including Our Army At War #83 - the first appearance of Sgt. Rock - CGC-graded FN+ 6.5 with Cream pages, and GI Combat #87 - the first appearance of the Haunted Tank - CGC-graded VF 8.0 with off-white pages. Just try to find these books in any condition, and you'll soon appreciate Mr. Marlow's efforts."

"Also included in the Marlow Collection are some great, high-grade superhero books," Jaster said, "including Giant-Sized X-Men #1, CGC-graded NM+ 9.6 with white pages, and a copy of Flash #167, CGC-graded NM/MT 9.8 with white pages. Silver Age Flash comics have been red hot in our last few auctions, so this book and others like it should see some fierce competition among bidders. We're also presenting a bound volume of Fantastic Four # 1-20, which will no doubt be a wonderful addition to someone's collection."

"If pulps are more your thing, look no further," Jaster said. "We have the single most desirable pulp ever printed right here, the October 1912 edition of All-Story Magazine, which saw the very first appearance of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes in any medium. This is both a literary and pop cultural landmark, as Tarzan has become one of the most famous and significant fictional characters in history. As if that weren't enough, we've also got a copy of the A.C. McClurg first edition hardcover of Tarzan of the Apes, complete with dustjacket. There's plenty of material for the die-hard Tarzan collector in this auction, including a Tarzan board game from the 1930s, a Weston Biscuit Tarzan jungle map and game with the original mailing envelope, and even a spectacular 1935 Tarzan Sunday strip by Hal Foster."

"Speaking of original art," Jaster said, "this auction abounds in museum-worthy rarities. Leading the pack are several paintings used as covers for past editions of the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, including a Spider-Man cover by Mark Bagley and John Romita, Sr. and an incredible Invaders cover by Golden Age great Alex Schomburg. Covers for the Overstreet guides are rarely made available to the public - these particular covers have never been offered before - so this is an extra special event."

"Of all the artists who have ever illustrated the classic Disney characters, none is as beloved as the great Carl Barks, known to a generation of fans as 'the good duck artist,'" Jaster said. "His original oil paintings, done later in his life, are highly desirable, and we're pleased to present several of these glorious works of art in this auction, including 'First National Bank of Cibola,' 'An Astronomical Predicament,' 'Spoiling the Concert,' and 'Dubious Doings at Dismal Downs.' In the past, we've been thrilled to have one original Bark's oil painting in an auction. To have an incredible selection like this is unheard of."

"As beloved as Barks was among comic book fans, so too was Charles Schulz to his legion of comic strip fans," said Jaster. "For decades, Schulz single-handedly produced Peanuts, the world's most popular comic strip, read around the world in many different languages by countless fans and admirers. You would have to look long and hard to find someone unaware of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy and the rest of the gang. We've offered some great Schulz originals in the past, but this one might very well beat them all. Offered here is the first daily strip to feature Snoopy as a writer, along with the first occurrence of the sentence, 'It was a dark and stormy night...' Few phrases in pop culture history are as recognizable, and though these inimitable words were first penned by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton in 1830, it was Schulz, through Snoopy, that truly brought them to life."

"No Heritage auction would be complete without several original art examples from the King of Comics, the immortal Jack Kirby," Jaster said, "and we've got some real beauties. After Jack left Marvel in the early 1970s, he went to rival DC Comics where he created a series of books that have become known as the 'Fourth World Saga.' Introduced in the pages of Jimmy Olsen, the new titles included The New Gods, Mister Miracle and The Forever People. Not only do we have the cover to The Forever People #8, we also have the complete interiors for The Forever People #8 and #10. As time goes by, it's becoming harder and harder to find complete Kirby books, especially from one of the classic Fourth World titles. You'll want to bid early and often on these, as an opportunity like this may not come around again."

"Fans of more recent art shouldn't be disappointed," Jaster said, "as we're offering an absolutely killer page from the landmark book by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, The Killing Joke. This page, which shows both Batman and the Joker, is absolutely top notch. Also in this auction is the incredible last page from X-Men #141, the first issue of the "Days of Future Past" storyline, by John Byrne and Terry Austin. Pages from these issues are seldom offered, and tend to end up in long-held private collections, so don't miss your chance to own this beauty, wherein the X-Men face off against the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants!"

"As many highlights as we've listed here, this barely scratches the surface of this incredible auction," Jaster said. "Whatever you're area of interest, it will be well worth your time to visit www.HA.com, where you'll be able to view full-color, enlargeable images of each and every auction lot, read our complete and informative catalog descriptions, and even place your bids online from the comfort and convenience of your home or office. Bid early and often, as many of these treasures, once gone, may never be seen again."

Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Vintage Comic and Comic Art auction will be held August 2-4, 2007 at Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore, MD.

Marvel Comics #1 Pay Copy (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages:
ESTIMATE: $250,000 & up

Green Lantern #1 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC Apparent VF+ 8.5 Slight (A) White pages:
ESTIMATE: $25,000 & up

Green Lantern #8 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1943) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages:
ESTIMATE: $10,000 & up

All Star Comics #1-12 Bound Volume (DC, 1940-42):
ESTIMATE: $25,000 & up

Flash Comics #1-12 Bound Volume (DC, 1940):
ESTIMATE: $25,000 & up

Sensation Comics #1-12 File Copy Bound Volume (DC, 1942):
ESTIMATE: $15,000 & up

All-American Comics #13-24 Bound Volume (DC, 1940-41):
ESTIMATE: $50,000 & up

Green Lantern (Golden Age) #1-12 File Copy Bound Volume (DC, 1941-44):
ESTIMATE: $18,000 & up

Our Army at War #83 (DC, 1959) CGC FN+ 6.5 Cream to off-white pages:
ESTIMATE: $1,500 & up

G.I. Combat #87 (DC, 1961) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages:
ESTIMATE: $1,000 & up

Giant-Size X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1975) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages:
ESTIMATE: $3,000 & up

The Flash #167 (DC, 1967) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages
ESTIMATE: $1,500 & up

Fantastic Four #1-20 Bound Volume (Marvel, 1961-63):
ESTIMATE: $8,000 & up

All-Story Magazine Oct 1912 (Munsey, 1912) Condition: GD/VG:
ESTIMATE: $15,000 & up

Edgar Rice Burroughs "Tarzan of the Apes" First Edition Hardback (McClurg, 1914):
ESTIMATE: $40,000 & up

Tarzan Board Game (Parker Brothers, 1939):
ESTIMATE: $600 & up

Tarzan Jungle Map And Treasure Hunt Game With Mailer Envelope (Weston Biscuit Co.,1933):
ESTIMATE: $500 & up

Hal Foster - Tarzan Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 1-20-35 (United Feature Syndicate, 1935):
ESTIMATE: $7,000 & up

Alex Schomburg - Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #21 Cover Featuring Captain America, The Human Torch, And The Sub-Mariner Original Art (1991):
ESTIMATE: $15,000 & up

Mark Bagley and John Romita Sr. - Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #22 Cover Featuring Spider-Man and The Green Goblin Original Art (1992):
ESTIMATE: $10,000 & up

Carl Barks - "First National Bank of Cibola" Oil Painting Original Art (circa 1987)
ESTIMATE: $150,000 & up

Carl Barks - "An Astronomical Predicament" Oil Painting Original Art (1990):
ESTIMATE: $100,000 & up

Carl Barks - "Dubious Doings at Dismal Downs" Oil Painting Original Art (1986):
ESTIMATE: $100,000 & up

Carl Barks - "Spoiling the Concert" Oil Painting Original Art (1973):
ESTIMATE: $200,000 & up

Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 7-12-65 (United Features Syndicate, 1965):
ESTIMATE: $30,000 & up

Jack Kirby and Mike Royer - Forever People #8 Cover Original Art (DC, 1972):
ESTIMATE: $3,000 & up

Jack Kirby and Mike Royer - The Forever People #8, Complete 26-page Story "The Power" Original Art (DC, 1972):
ESTIMATE: $15,000 & up

Jack Kirby and Mike Royer - The Forever People #10, Complete 22-page Story "The Scavengers" Original Art (DC, 1972):
ESTIMATE: $15,000 & up

Brian Bolland - Batman: The Killing Joke, page 32 Original Art (DC, 1988):
ESTIMATE: $12,000 & up

John Byrne and Terry Austin - X-Men #141, page 30 Original Art (Marvel, 1981):
ESTIMATE: $10,000 & up

Prospective consignors and sellers of Comics and Comic Art are invited to www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HA.com, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.