Hake’s Americana & Collectibles 40th Anniversary Continues!
Amazing CGC’d Comic Books Included!
Hake’s Americana & Collectibles’ last auction of 2007 is nearing its debut. The auction went online at www.hakes.com in early September. The auction closes September 25th through the 27th.
This year has been a landmark for Hake’s, as it is our 40th anniversary. Begun in 1967, Hake’s has been bringing joy to collectors for over four decades and will continue to do so, with the highest quality collectibles going into our auctions and new sections being added. Whereas Hake’s had been offering comic books to collectors for decades, in January of 2005 we expanded to include, for the first time, CGC-graded books. This auction has a selection of over 75 CGC books.
The selection we are offering in this auction includes several important books and the first appearances of many notable characters. An impressive selection of aeronautically-themed Wings Comics (comprised of issues #1-24) take flight with some of the best known graded examples being up for grabs. If you’re a fan of superheroics, some real powerhouses make their presence known in this auction, with Giant-Size X-Men #1 marking the first appearances of the New X-men Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Thunderbird; Green Arrow joins the Justice League in Justice League of America #4; the Golden Age Flash makes his second appearance in the Silver Age in Flash #137; and Hourman and Dr. Fate make their first Silver Age appearances in Justice League of America #21 – this issue, along with the following issue, is part of the classic Silver Age story “Crisis On Earth-One!” The first Lois Lane tryout issue is presented in Showcase #9, and the Metal Men make their second appearance in Showcase #38. Golden Age Wonder Woman issues will also be available to bid on, with Spider-Man, the Justice League and Fantastic Four issues also turning up in Hake’s CGC offerings in this auction. Of special note, the Fantastic Four run contains the climatic battle between The Thing and the Incredible Hulk in issue #26. Modern comics are represented as well with unsigned issues of Amazing Spider-Man #252, the Wolverine limited series #1 and a copy of Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge #219, which features Duck Artist Don Rosa’s first comic work for Disney. This auction also marks the first time Hake’s is offering CGC Signatures Series books. Included in these offerings are two 9.8 copies of Amazing Spider-Man #252 (which ties with Marvel Team-Up #141 for the first appearance of Spider-Man's black symbiote costume with a cover that pays homage to Amazing Fantasy #15) — one signed by Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee, the other by issue artist Ron Frenz. A 9.8 copy of Marvel Team-Up #141, also signed by Lee, is being offered as well. X-Man Wolverine clawed his way into the spotlight in his first solo comic with the Wolverine limited series in 1982. We are offering a copy of the first issue of this title this auction, signed by Stan Lee.
Hake’s also has a nice selection of non-CGC books in Auction #192. These include Amazing Spider-Man #121 and #122, the climatic “Death Of Gwen Stacy” storyline as well as a large run of Daredevil comics, comprised of the first 100 issues. The Spectre casts his shadow over this auction, with his first three Silver Age appearances in Showcase #60-61 and #64, which then spawned his own series The Spectre, which ran for 10 issues (all offered in our auction in one convenient lot) and The Spectre’s later appearances in Adventure Comics #431-440.
If older comics are more your style, we have a nice assortment of Platinum Age books in this auction. Buster Brown, Bringing Up Father, Barney Google And Spark Plug and others are just waiting to be picked up and read again.
This auction also has several original art offerings to choose from. An original piece of specialty art featuring the Golden Age Green Lantern by legendary artist Sheldon Moldoff re-imagines the cover to All-American Comics #16. Captain Marvel Jr. is seen with Captain Marvel, the wizard Shazam and lightning bolt in the background in an original piece of art by Captain Marvel creator C.C. Beck. The gorgeous art of Alex Toth from Dell’s Four Color #1024 "Darby O'Gill And The Little People" is also available.
Superhero merchandise is once again nicely represented as Hake’s brings you a fine assortment of super-heroic collectibles, from Captain Marvel to the Green Hornet. The Captain Marvel section is marvelous with a nice assortment of promotional and premium Captain Marvel comics and the classic Kerr Captain Marvel and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny statues. Check out the Superman section, which has numerous items, including a rare boxed Superman SuperTime watch, two varieties of chalk carnival statues depicting the Man of Steel, and an unusual Superman Super-Hopper pogo stick. Batman is represented by a stunning plaster figural string holder, the classic 1966 Batman standee with art by Murphy Anderson, as well as an extensive lot of 1966 Batman TV show autographs. Another Batman item of note is an extremely well-done piece of original art by Sheldon Moldoff showing Batman with cape held across his face. Not to fear, Marvel Comics fans, we’ve got Marvel items, too, with a heavy Spider-Man presence in this auction. Some highlights include the large Spider-Man Mego action figure, a Webmaker kit, a Spider-Man utility belt and 1960s Marvel Club items.
This auction finishes with an original piece of Alex Ross art used to promote the acclaimed 1996 mini-series Kingdom Come and features Ross’s graying Superman. A brooding Superman sports a new, darker “S” shield on his chest. This art was used as the cover for comic book publication “Overtsreet’s FAN” #14 in August 1996. An absolutely stunning piece by one of the most well-known and popular comic book artists today, this is the first time this art has been offered for sale.
Our new and impressive catalog will be mailed out in mid-September. If you do not already receive Hake’s Americana & Collectibles catalogs and are interested in receiving one, call us toll-free 1-866-404-9800, ext. 443.
This is a guest article. The thoughts and opinions in this piece are those of their author and are not necessarily the thoughts of the Certified Collectibles Group.
