Heritage Dominates 2002 Comics and Pop Culture Auction Market With $17.6 Million in Sales

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Comics’ Auctions posted total auction sell-through for calendar 2002 of $17,620,842.69, at least tripling the previous annual comics and related popular culture sales record for any auction firm. Note: Heritage’s very first comics auction, in November 2001, realized $960,649.05.

In 2002, Heritage conducted 4 Signature auctions and 12 monthly Amazing Comics Auctions™. The following numbers include Heritage’s 15% Buyers Premium, but do not include direct private treaty sales.

Amazing Comics Auctions (monthly Internet-only)

December November October September August July June May April March February January

$153,724.00 $189,219.20 $265,356.26 $306,018.45 $574,377.85 $341,044.00 $258,318.18 $158,885.15 $60,672.85 $18,802.50 $3,695.00 $4,994.00

Signature Live Auction Events

December October July March

$2,447,215.10 $5,214,991.90 $5,021,596.90 $2,601,931.35

Highlights of 2002 include:

The Stan Lee File Copy collection. These were Stan’s personal copies, the copies he read and referred to. Comics fans worldwide jumped at the chance to own a piece of comic’s history from one of the most important creators in the field, driving prices up to as much as 50 times Guide value or more.

The offering of Nicolas Cage’s comics, an auction presented in conjunction with Jay Parrino’s The Mint. Cage’s high-grade collection realized $1.68 million at auction in October, 2002.

The establishment of new sales records for comic auctions. Until Heritage came into the market, the record for any auction of comics, comic art, and/or movie posters was a very respectable $2.2 million. Every Signature auction Heritage held in 2002 exceeded that longstanding record.

A multi-million dollar offering over multiple auctions from the personal collection of Steve Geppi, owner of Diamond Comics and Gemstone Publishing, publisher of the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide.

Consignments from a host of high profile collectors and artists, including the Russ Cochran collection, the Bobby Harmon collection, and the Deer Park collection, as well as exclusive consignment arrangements with comics legends Al Feldstein and Russ Heath.

Over 6,500 new, registered bidder-members on Heritage’s web site www.HeritageComics.com, bringing total membership to over 8,500.

Sales highlights included:

The complete original art for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #10 by Steve Ditko brought $160,000 in July, 2002.
http://www.heritagecomics.com/common/auctions/closedviewlot.asp?s=803&l=5859

The Mile High copy of ALL-STAR #3 (CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages), from the collection of Nicolas Cage realized $126,500 in October, 2002.
http://www.heritagecomics.com/common/auctions/closedviewlot.asp?s=804&l=5082

The Allentown copy of DETECTIVE #38 (CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages), featuring the origin and first appearance of Robin, the Boy Wonder, also from the collection of Nicolas Cage, brought $120,750 in October, 2002.
http://www.heritagecomics.com/common/auctions/closedviewlot.asp?s=804&l=5134

The original cover art for FAMOUS FUNNIES #213 (1953) by Frank Frazetta realized $100,625 in March, 2002.
http://www.heritagecomics.com/common/auctions/closedviewlot.asp?s=802&l=6710

Nicolas Cage’s copy of ACTION #1 (CGC VG+ 4.5 Off-white to white pages), the iconic origin and first appearance of Superman, rang in $86,250 in October, 2002.
http://www.heritagecomics.com/common/auctions/closedviewlot.asp?s=804&l=5001

Heritage is planning its next Signature Auction for March 6-9, 2003 in New York City. The consignment deadline is January 24, or when the sale is full, whichever occurs sooner.

For more information about and of Heritage’s auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageComics.com.

Heritage is the world’s leading collectibles auctioneer, specializing in rare coins and rare currency, with over $70 million in annual auction sell-through in those two categories alone. Heritage’s popular culture affiliate, Heritage Comics Auctions, specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, character toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 214-252-4288 or Fred McSurley at 214-252-4293 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit http://www.HeritageComics.com and click on the “consign” tab. Or simply email EdJ@HeritageComics.com or FredM@HeritageComics.com

Movie poster consignors, please call Grey Smith at 214-668-6928 or email GreySm@HeritageMoviePosters.com

To order the next three sale catalogs, visit Heritage’s website to pay by credit card, or send a check or money order payable to Heritage Comics in the amount of $100 (a fraction of Heritage’s actual cost-to-produce the catalogs) to: Norma Pedrero, c/o Heritage Comics, 100 Highland Park Village, 2nd Floor, Dallas, TX 75205.