Original Cover Art to 1952 EC Weird Science Comic Sells for $200,000 in Private Transaction

Dallas, TX: A major, sophisticated collector of comic book art paid $200,000 for the original cover art of a 1952 horror/science fiction comic in a transaction brokered by Heritage Auction Galleries, the Dallas-based firm announced today. Wally Wood's cover art for Weird Science #16 (EC Comics, 1952) had been the property of another private collector.

"This is the highest price we're aware of for a single comic art page," said Jared Green, Vice-President of Business Development for Heritage, who negotiated the terms of the sale on the owner's behalf. "Then again, this cover had everything the collector looks for: a highly collectable artist in the talented Wally Wood, rendering what is considered by many collectors to be the most striking cover scene of his entire career. EC's publisher Bill Gaines reportedly said that their bestselling issues were the ones that showed boys in trouble, so this comic with its menacing aliens must have flown off the stands."

Other recent private-treaty sales of note brokered by Heritage include the unique Red Seal Watermelon $1000 bill for $2,255,000 in November 2006, the finest known Ultra-High Relief double eagle $20 gold coin for well over $3 million in August 2007 and one of the finest "Inverted Jenny" error airmail stamps, sold for $825,000 in December 2007. Also in 2007, Heritage brokered the sale of an important collection of family mementos from Presidents William Henry and Benjamin Harrison for an undisclosed seven-figure sum. The collection was sold to the Benjamin Harrison Home In Indianapolis by a group of direct descendants of the two presidents, who were grandfather and grandson.

Prospective consignors and sellers of Comics, Comic Art and other "trophy" collectibles are invited to www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Jared Green (JaredG@HA.com) , or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1279.