Bidding is already underway in ComicConnect.com’s Summer Event Auction. The sale, encompassing 1,750 lots, closes in waves the week of Aug. 13, and ComicConnect.com Co-Founder and President Vincent Zurzolo told CBG, “I am sure our bidders will be as aggressive as ever. As with our previous Event Auctions, this one will result in a multi-million dollar result. It contains so many great vintage comic books and original art that it’s scary.”
ComicConnect.com holds the Guinness World Record for the highest sales result for a single comic book: a copy of Action Comics #1 (Jun 38), CGC-graded 9.0, which sold for $2.161 million in 2011.
Zurzolo described his five “favorite” lots from the auction:
1. Marvel Comics #1 (Nov 39), CGC-graded 7.5. “This is the comic that started it all for Marvel. Without its success, we might not have the pantheon of Marvel characters that have become global icons today.”
2. Avengers #4 (Mar 64), CGC-graded 9.8. “One of only two copies in this grade known in the world: Here is a chance to get something really special for your collection. The other copy is buried in a collection that will not be seeing the light of day any time soon. So, if you want the best of the best, this is the copy for you.”
3. Detective Comics #61 (Mar 42) original cover art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. “The first Batplane cover with large images of both Batman and Robin, not to mention the Batplane and Gotham City itself, this piece is as rare as it gets.”
4. Silver Surfer Marvel Mania original poster art (1970) penciled and inked by Jack Kirby. “It is a gigantic piece with two of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s greatest creations pictured in an incredibly striking fashion. It is important to stress ‘penciled and inked,’ as often Kirby was inked by another artist.”
5. All the comics from the collection of actor-singer Ruben Blades. “The number of incredibly rare Golden Age keys and groups of issues from such publishers as Centaur makes this one of the most exciting parts of our auction.”
In addition to those items, Zurzolo said the auction has, “something for everybody. We have great groups of Golden Age Batman, Action, and Superman comics, plus Amazing Spider-Man comics, high-grade Marvel Westerns, original art from Cerebus and Thor, an impressive and rare group of art portfolios from the ’70s and more high-grade items from the Suscha News Collection.”
Other unusual items in the sale include two of Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens’ signed pay vouchers from Pacific Comics. “I have never seen one of these for sale and I’m very interested to see how it will do,” Zurzolo said. “Dave Stevens is a beloved creator, and his death left many a fan broken-hearted.”
Another find was an original-owner collection from upstate New York. Zurzolo said, “The octogenarian collector bought all of his prized comics off the newsstand. Relatives of the collector were worried that he had thrown all his comics away years ago. After they recovered the comics, it took five years to convince the owner to sell. He finally decided to, due to health concerns. It was very important to him that the books find their way into a collection where they will be appreciated. Highlights include Captain America Comics #1 (Mar 41), #3 (May 41), #4 (Jun 41), #5 (Aug 41), and #7 (Oct 41); All-Star Comics #3 (Win 40); All-American Comics #16 (Jul 40); Green Lantern #1 (Sep 41); plus Supermans and Actions. All unrestored and in solid condition.”
The sale is divided into five sessions, which close over five days starting at 6 p.m. E.T. Aug. 13. More information and a view of all the lots are available via www.comicconnect.com; information is also available at (212) 895-3999.
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