09 August 2017
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comics
Now in its 50th-anniversary year, Hake’s Americana cemented its reputation as the home of million-dollar pop culture sales
Now in its 50th-anniversary year, Hake’s Americana cemented its reputation as the home of million-dollar pop culture sales, and then some, in achieving a $1.1 million total on 11 and 13 July. In its second auction outing of 2017, Hake’s two-session online-only event blazed to new record highs in several categories, with political memorabilia and comic art putting in especially strong performances.
Comic books and comic art were unstoppable. There were hundreds of CGC and CBCS-graded comic books from which to choose. Lassoing the top spot in the category was a scarce issue of All Star Comics #8, featuring the first appearance of Wonder Woman. Acknowledged as one of the most important issues in the history of DC Comics, Hake’s example of All Star Comics #8 cashed out at $31,925, a record price for a certified copy.
Comic art collectors were presented with a tantalizing opportunity. Within the selection of hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces of original art from comic strips, comic books and other media, there were 22 lots of Mike Zeck’s art created for Captain America #265. The cover art plus all 21 interior story pages from the January 1982 comic book were auctioned consecutively and sold to various bidders for a total of $35,325.
J
ose Luis Garcia-Lopez’s original pen-and-ink art for a DC Comics’ 1982 Justice League of America licensing style guide was entered in the sale with a $5,000-$10,000 estimate, but summoning all its superpowers, it landed at $12,214.
“There was very active bidding for the comic books and comic art in our July sale,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Americana. “It continues to be one of the fastest-rising collector categories, in part because everyone can relate to comic books and superheroes. Also, it’s possible to start a collection modestly or to aim for the very top, price wise. Anyone can join the hobby and really enjoy it.”
Once again at Hake’s, concert posters rocked the house. A 1955 Bill Haley and His Comets “boxing-style” poster advertising a show in Berks County, Pa., crushed its $2,000-$5,000 estimate to take a final bow at $17,785. A 1964 Caravan of Record Stars concert poster featuring the Supremes also sailed past its estimate to make $9,540 – nearly five times its pre-sale estimate.