Heritage’s San Diego Signature Sale #807 Realized Over $4.25 Million.

1786 Bidders Placed Bids.

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Comics Auctions sale #807 was held in San Diego July 14-20. Heritage sold 3,362 out of 4,173 lots offered, for a total sell-through of 80.56%, at prices totaling $4,269,147. 1786 bidders participated, 982 of whom actually won lots. Orders are still coming in at Heritage’s “After Auction Bargains” section, where unsold items are available first-come first-served at consignor reserve, plus the Buyer’s Premium. The final tally is expected to rise even higher.

Ed Jaster, Heritage's Director Of Acquisitions, stated, “Other than the G.I. Joe prototypes, most of which failed to sell, the sale was strong in all other areas. In fact, each of the top four items came from a different catalog. And we met a lot of great new clients! Overall, we are extremely pleased with the outcome."

The Mile High DCs offered achieved dizzying multiples of 10 to 12 times Guide price, while high grade Silver Age Marvel and DC continued strong. The Harvey File Copies turned a few heads when they hammered at record prices, including a VF/NM 9.0 copy of Sad Sack #1, which set a record by realizing $3,910!

The Movie Poster portion of the auction sold $694,040 worth of posters to 180 separate successful bidders.

Sale 807 showcased the second of three portions of its Famous American Illustrators artwork sale, which realized $476,194, and set a new auction record for Alberto Vargas items when Vargas’ rendition of Ann Sheridan realized $46,000. Other works by Vargas, as well as Norman Rockwell, Gillette Elvgren, J. C. Leyendecker, Edward Valigursky, and Dean Cornwell, were among the sale’s top achievers. One charming auction highlight was a very spirited round of bidding for Gene Pressler’s early surfing beauty, originally published as a "yard long" calendar print, and selling for $19,550.

Sale highlights:

Frank Frazetta - Original Cover Art for Famous Funnies #215 (Eastern Color, 1955). Price Realized = $80,500.00
Among comic art collectors, few items are more coveted than the covers that Frank Frazetta rendered for a brief run of Famous Funnies between issues 209 and 216. Each one a masterpiece, they are the products of an artist who has mastered the discipline of pen and ink. Ironically, they also mark Frazetta's last work in the comic book field. Even before he completed the Buck Rogers covers, Frazetta accepted a job working with Al Capp on the syndicated "Li'l Abner" strip, where he would stay for the next five years. After that, of course, Frazetta started his classic run of Ace paperback covers, and the rest is history. The cover offered here is a wonderful piece, arguably Frazetta's best from this classic run. As an added bonus, the reverse of this cover shows a variety of detailed sketches of nudes, dinosaurs, demons, skulls, and more. In very good condition, there is a horizontal crease crossing above Buck's leg and through his left arm, as well as some minor discoloration. These are minor distractions, however, easily overlooked. Measuring approximately 15.25" x 22" overall, the piece has been attractively matted and framed and is signed by the artist. View

Young Allies Comics #1 San Francisco pedigree (Timely, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Price Realized = $57,500.00
This milestone Timely issue presented the origin and first appearance of the Young Allies, a group of rambunctious youths headed up by Captain America's sidekick Bucky and the Human Torch's protege Toro, who were hell-bent on making their contribution to the war effort, burst onto the scene for a twenty-issue run that today has become one of the top collected Golden Age titles because of the guest appearances and classic covers. Speaking of classic covers, this one by the immortal team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby ranks among the best of all wartime covers for pure action, verve, and propaganda! It features the desperate teaming of Hitler and the vile Red Skull who are both getting walloped by our kid heroes. The issue also features the first-ever meeting of Captain America and the Human Torch in an interior story. Very cool! In reality, we've just begun to tell of the true significance and redeeming qualities of this particular Timely first issue. Consider for a moment that of all the hundreds of Timely comics, less than ten covers sported Hitler's mug (We know, we know, it's hard to believe, but true!), and even more astounding is that there were even less Red Skull covers (Yes, it's a fact that the Red Skull only appeared on the cover of six Timely issues, and most collectors don't even count the cover of Captain America #5 because just the Red Skull's head appears on the "Wheel of Death."). Thus, to find both evil-doers on the same cover is a rarity indeed. The San Francisco pedigreed collection is often compared to the famous Mile High collection, and books from this incredible find of 1973 are always gobbled up quickly whenever they come to market. They are notable primarily for their incredible, supple white pages, and rich gloss. This book is no exception. The spine is exceptionally sound and tight, the corners are sharp, and the colors seem to leap off the cover, all lending to tremendous eye-appeal, which is exactly what you want in a comic when contemplating such an investment. It may surprise you that there are merely a half dozen other Timely comics that have rated NM+ 9.6 by CGC, and none higher! Finally, this is far and away the best copy of this book. The next best copy is a distant second! This is the Crown Jewel among all comic book offerings in our sale. Overstreet 2003 NM 9.4 value = $18,000. View

Alberto Vargas (1896-1982) Original Pin-up / Glamour Art (c.mid-1940s). Price Realized = $46,000.00
Fiery hair, brilliantly detailed facial features and a lithe, prolongate pose highlight this tastefully rendered early 1940s original illustration, likely that of Hollywood actress Ann Sheridan. Born Clara Lou Sheridan of Denton, Texas, Ms. Sheridan was given the nickname "Oomph Girl" by Warner Brothers. She caught the eyes and lenses of many a photographer and graced the covers of numerous magazines from Life and Look, to Glamour and Silver Screen in the 1930s through the '50s, during which her movie career was in full bloom. She was also named Max Factor's "Girl of the Year" for 1939. This traditional pin-up illustration by renowned Peruvian artist Alberto Vargas captures the graceful lines and magnetic character of an actress who had, as Rex Harrison put it, "...a distinctive quality of earthiness that never transcends to blatant sexiness." Though with Vargas' wonderfully vivid imagery of her here, that may be a matter of some debate. Airbrush and watercolor on paper, framed (41 x 30.5), sight size approximately 27 x 17. Signed lower right. View

Wayward Canary,The (United Artists, 1932). Price Realized = $41,400.00
One Sheet (27" X 41"). The fun ensues when Mickey gives Minnie a canary and soon there are several little canaries getting into mischief. Walt Disney himself provides Mickey's squeaky voice. Beautifully illustrated, this poster depicts two of Disney's most beloved characters. United Artists produced the most beautiful of the Disney posters and rarely do they come available. The poster is in wonderful condition with only the slightest foldline restoration. Very Fine+ on Linen View

Batman #6 Allentown pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Price Realized = $39,100.00
It's not clear to us why this simple, striking cover by Jerry Robinson isn't mentioned as "classic" by Overstreet; it's definitely one of the favorites of Batman collectors. Of the eleven copies of issue #6 that CGC has certified Very Fine or better to date, none but this amazing copy has scored as high as Near Mint. If only the best will do, this qualifies on every level; one of the icons among superheroes, historical significance, eye-catching cover by one of the premier Golden Age artists, respected pedigree, and the highest-graded copy of the issue that CGC has reviewed to date. Truly one of the rare gems in this auction. Overstreet 2003 NM 9.4 value = $5,500. View

Detective Comics #27 (DC, 1939) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages. Price Realized = $35,650.00
Big, bold, and beautiful, this is Number Two on Overstreet's Top 100 Golden Age Comics list, behind only Action Comics #1. Batman's creator, Bob Kane, just 22 years old when this issue hit the stands, handled cover and interior art on this issue which introduced the Caped Crusader and Commissioner Gordon. Even at this grade, CGC has certified just five other unrestored copies with higher grades, none higher than Very Fine. CGC notes, "two small pieces of tape on spine." A great, uncommon opportunity for one giant of a comic book. Overstreet 2003 GD 2.0 value = $31,000; VG 4.0 value = $62,000. View

Hal Foster - Original Comic Strip Art for Prince Valiant Sunday, dated 12-21-52 (King Features Syndicate, 1952). Price Realized = $32,200.00
A truly breathtaking piece, this is certainly one of the finest examples of a "Prince Valiant" page ever to be offered for public sale. From the "Duel in Ireland" storyline, this page shows Val drinking a "goblet of sacred honey-mead" and having an hallucinatory vision of the Aesir, including Thor, the Rainbow Bridge and Odin himself. This storyline was very classical, invoking images of the archetypal "trials of a hero" tales of yore, with the many ordeals the protagonist must face, and overcome. The red lines in the first and third panels indicate color holds, a technique that Foster used very sparingly and to great effect, giving the finished product a more painterly look. The linework displayed here is phenomenal, bringing to mind the best works of such classic illustrators as Howard Pyle and Gustave Dore. Measuring a large 24.5" x 34.25" overall, this piece is in excellent condition and is signed by the artist in the lower left. View

Norman Perceval Rockwell (1894-1978) Original Magazine Story Illustration (1964). Price Realized = $31,050.00
Senator Barry Goldwater and wife Peggy. McCall's November, 1964, for the article Norman Rockwell Paints From the Life of Peggy Goldwater. Caption: "As a bride. Barry was trying to get me interested in golf." Mixed media on board, matted (20 x 18), sight size approximately 13.5 x 12. Initialed lower right. A complete issue of the magazine is included. View

Adventure Comics #79 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1942) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. Price Realized = $29,900.00
What better way to own a copy of this Simon and Kirby classic cover than to have the immaculate Mile High copy. It is absolutely amazing that books have actually survived the ravages of time in such a pristine condition. This book is, by far, the highest graded copy from CGC of issue #79 to date. Overstreet 2003 NM 9.4 value = $2,550. View

Wally Wood - Original Cover Art for Incredible Science Fiction #33 (EC, 1956). Price Realized = $26,450.00
If one were asked to sum up this cover in one word, that word would have to be... Incredible. A stunning image, highlighting all that was best about Wood... the dramatic lighting, the cool spacesuits, the sense of impending action... it's all here to fascinate and excite the lucky viewer. An added bonus is that the spaceship on the left side is true art, not a stat as is often the case. Incredible, stunning, exciting, stupendous... you pick your own adjective. With an image area of approximately 13.5" x 19.5" and in immaculate condition, this will be the pride of any collection. View

Captain America Comics #7 (Timely, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages. Price Realized = $25,300.00
This outrageous copy is far and away the highest-graded issue #7 in CGC's most recent census, giving other copies of the issue inferiority complexes. Jack Kirby's classic cover of Cap and Nazi mayhem, torture, and bondage is worth a closer look. Zoom in at our website for a better view, unless you're faint of heart. Kirby gets inking help from Syd Shores on the cover, and from his usual partner, Joe Simon, on the interior of this issue, which features a Red Skull appearance. Overstreet 2002 NM 9.4 value = $7,200. View

Mad #1 Gaines File pedigree 4/12 (EC, 1952) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages. Price Realized = $24,150.00
The first satire comic burst onto the scene during the Cold War of the early 1950s, irreverently and indiscriminately poking fun at literary works, people, and events past, present, and future. Few titles have managed to last as long as Harvey Kurtzman's brain-child, which is still going strong today. Kurtzman drew the cover to this seminal issue, Jack Davis satirizes the horror genre, Wally Wood lampoons the sci-fi, John Severin skewed the westerns, and Bill Elder poked fun at the crime stories that EC published. What more could you want? Why, perhaps a stunning specimen of this important comic! Our offering's grade misses being the highest yet assigned by CGC for this issue by a quarter-grade. Overstreet 2003 NM 9.4 value = $7,000. View

Bob Montana - Original Comic Strip Art for Archie Sunday (Archie, 1947). Price Realized = $23,000.00
Heritage Comics is proud to present the historical original art for the first "Archie" Sunday newspaper comic strip. When Bob Montana and Vic Bloom created Archie Andrews as a character modeled after Mickey Rooney's film persona, they couldn't possibly have imagined the impact that he would have on the comic industry. Archie is the all-American teen with all of the anxiety, challenges, and occasional victories that the youth of the last 60 years have experienced and, therefore, can greatly relate to. Dan DeCarlo is recognized as being the definitive artist for the Archie titles and is responsible for setting the standard for the Archie "house style". However, it was Bob Montana who established the personalities of the large cast of Riverdale characters with an expressive style that has never been matched. Montana's Archie looked more confident, more frustrated, and more in trouble. Betty and Veronica never looked better and Mrs. Grundy, well, never looked more like Mrs. Grundy. This is a wonderful example of Archie's heroic view of himself as an academic titan. Unfortunately, it's all been a dream and he's in trouble again. Because the title part of the first panel was cut away -- probably to be pasted up on a subsequent Sunday strip -- Heritage Comics has had this exceptional piece professionally restored so as to present it in a way that best reflects the original intent of the artist. It has been mounted to a heavy piece of illustration board that measures 22.5" x 29". Few pieces truly warrant the amount of acclaim that this work of art will garner for the next proud owner. View

Gustaf Tenggren - Original Storyboard Art for Pinocchio (Disney, 1940). Price Realized = $22,425.00
Born in Sweden in 1896, Gustaf Tenggren had established himself as a well-known illustrator of children's books before joining the Disney Studios as an "inspirational sketch artist" in 1936. Although he remained with Disney for only three years, his incredibly rich, detailed paintings had a profound impact on both "Snow White" and "Pinocchio." Offered here is a beautiful, yet somewhat eerie, painting of Pinocchio trapped in a bird-cage, with shadows of other marionettes menacingly projected on the back wall. Attractively matted and framed, this gorgeous piece has an image area of approximately 13.25" x 10". Pictured in John Canemaker's 1996 book, Before the Animation Begins (page 46), this is a breathtaking piece by one of the architects of two of Disney's most popular films. View

Superman #1 (DC, 1939) CGC VG- 3.5 Cream to off-white pages. Price Realized = $20,700.00
The superhero credited with launching the Golden Age of Comics deserved his own title, and he got it with this premiere issue, about a year after his first appearance in Action Comics #1. His origin is reprinted here, with additional pages by Siegel and Shuster to the pair's original story. The first comic book pin-up is the back cover of this issue. This just might be the grade that enables your procuring one of comicdom's most holy issues. Overstreet 2003 VG 4.0 value = $32,000. View

Heritage is planning its next Signature Auction #808 for November 19-23, 2003 in Dallas in conjunction with the Wizardworld Convention. The consignment deadline is June 6, or when the sale is full, whichever occurs sooner. This, Heritage’s seventh Signature auction, will feature an outstanding assortment of Gaines File Copies, more comics from the files of Stan Lee, an outstanding selection of underground original art, as well as our usual eye-popping assortment of Mile Highs. Additionally, Heritage is proud to present the third installment of the Famous American Illustrator art collection containing artwork by over 100 artists, including Norman Rockwell, as well as the Bill Paquin collection of Beatles records and memorabilia.

For more information about the New York sale #807 and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageComics.com.

HCA specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, 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.