Heritage Comics Latest Auction Sets New World's Records!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Comics Auctions (HCA) held its most recent Signature Auction August 11-13, in Dallas, Texas. 2,706 total bidders competed for 3,341 lots, 646 of them successfully, for an overall total of $4,329,485. 15 lots were purchased after the auction by 12 bidders for a total of $38,726, although after-auction sales are still ongoing and could push the total even higher.

"The results of this auction are absolutely thrilling," said Ed Jaster, Director of Acquisitions for HCA. "Not only is this one of our highest-grossing auctions of all time, but we also set a new world record: the highest price ever paid for a single piece of comic art at public auction."

The piece of comic art that set the new record was the original cover art for Batman #11, cover dated June-July, 1942, by artists Fred Ray and Jerry Robinson. A classic image, featuring Batman, Robin, and their arch-nemesis, the Joker, this cover brought $195,500, far eclipsing the previous record of $100,625 set in March, 2002, when Heritage Comics sold the original cover art for Famous Funnies #213, published in 1953, by artist Frank Frazetta.

"I'm also very proud of the sale of the Denver Pedigree copy of Marvel Comics #1, published in 1939," said Jaster, "the first comic in the franchise that would eventually see the rise of such iconic characters as Captain America, The Fantastic Four, The X-Men and Spider-Man. This book, one of the nicest copies known to exist, was graded VF+ 8.5 with Off-white pages by Comics Guaranty, LLC (CGC) and sold for $172,500."

"This was a very strong auction," added Jaster. "It's clear that the market continues to respond to quality material, especially when it's fresh to the market, as the Batman cover was. The results of this event make the anticipation of our next comic auction, scheduled for October 14-15 in Dallas, that much more exciting."

Additional auction highlights included:

• The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages. REALIZED: $97,750.
• More Fun Comics #53 Rockford pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 Cream to off-white pages. REALIZED: $92,000.
• Sensation Comics #1 (DC, 1942) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. REALIZED: $63,250.
• John Romita Sr. and Mike Esposito - Amazing Spider-Man #41 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1966). REALIZED: $58,650.
• Young Allies Comics #1 San Francisco pedigree (Timely, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. REALIZED: $54,625.
• All Star Comics #1 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. REALIZED: $54,625.
• Fred Ray - Action Comics #45 Cover Original Art (DC, 1942). REALIZED: $51,750.

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 HeritageComics.com.

HCA 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 HeritageComics.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageComics.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageComics.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HeritageGalleries.com.

Movie poster consignors, please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageMoviePosters.com.

To purchase a catalog for any Heritage Auction, please contact Nicole Jewell at Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX, 75219 or visit HeritageComics.com to order by credit card.