Walking Batman commands $16,800 at Milestone Premier Toys Auction

Rare TN Japan battery-operated Walking Batman, 12 inches, new old store stock with pristine original Japanese-version box, top lot at $16,800

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Batman first captured the public’s attention in 1939, when he appeared on the cover of Detective Comics #27. Since then, the masked crime-fighter has remained in the forefront of American pop culture, dominating all media and delighting generations of children in the form of toys that reflect Batman’s complex world of heroes and villains. On October 13, a classic battery-operated Walking Batman coolly strolled across the auction block at Milestone Auctions and in so doing set a new world auction record at $16,800. There was especially active bidding on the Walking Batman, and on literally all toy categories, online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Jackie Kennedy love letter revealed in RR Auction Nov. 7

Jackie Kennedy’s letter to Jack, tenderly revealing their unique relationship: ‘Each of us would have been so lonely with the normal kind.’ Estimate: $20,000-$25,000. RR Auction image

BOSTON – A remarkable Jackie Kennedy letter to her husband, then Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, concerning their relationship and family will be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction on Nov. 7. The fully illustrated auction catalog can be viewed on LiveAuctioneersRead more

Palm Beach estates enhance Auction Life sales Nov. 11-12

Oil on foam core board painting by Romero Britto (Brazilian, b. 1963). Estimate: $5,000-$10,000. Auction Life image

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A two-session auction featuring market-fresh Palm Beach estate finds on Day 1 and Asian antiques and archaeological artifacts on Day 2 will be held Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11 and 12, by Auction Life. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Library of Congress launches first exhibit of Geppi comic art, pop culture collection

Steve Geppi at the podium on the Members Room press event at the Library of Congress on October 30, 2018. In the foreground is the hand-sculpted G.I. Joe prototype, which was among the items he donated earlier this year.

WASHINGTON – Just five months after his gift to the nation’s library was revealed, Diamond Comic Distributors President and CEO Steve Geppi stood at the podium for the announcement that the Library of Congress will open a new display of select items from the Stephen A. Geppi Collection of Comics and Graphic Arts from November 6, 2018, through February 11, 2019, in the Great Hall of the historic Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St., SE, Washington, DC.

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David Jerome Collection rings available in Jasper52 auction Nov. 7

Unheated 2.16 carat round brilliant cut sapphire and diamond ring, set in 18K white gold and mounted with 0.88 carats of diamonds. Estimate $10,000-$15,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Jewelry designer David Jerome has spent much of his life, traveling the world, amassing a breathtaking collection of the rarest and purest rubies, aquamarine, tanzanites, emeralds and sapphires. The David Jerome Collection is formed of hundreds of prized gems. Ethically sourced directly from precious gemstone mines all around the world, only the finest stones have been selected for the collection, which have been transformed into stunningly beautiful rings. Thirty-nine of these rings will be offered in a Jasper52 online auction Nov. 7. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Moran Auctioneers to host modern art, design sales Nov. 13

Fong Chung-Ray (b. 1934 Chinese), ‘89-32,’ acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 inches, Estimate: $15,000-$25,000. John Moran Auctioneers image

MONROVIA, Calif. – Moran’s will present two Modern and Contemporary-focused sales on Nov. 13: a Prints & Multiples auction followed directly by a 20th Century Art & Design auction, which consists of 229 lots of fine art, furniture and decorative objects. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Leslie Hindman Auctioneers to sell notable map collection Nov. 12

Rare John Melish (1771-1822) ‘Map of the United States,’ June 16, 1820, Philadelphia. Engraved folding map by J. Vallance and H.S. Tanner, overall 915 x 1490 mm. Estimate: $30,000-$40,000. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers image

CHICAGO – Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will sell property from prominent St. Louis philanthropists Evelyn E. and Eric P. Newman. Items from their collection will be offered as a single-owner auction, the Fine Cartographic and Printed Americana Collection of Evelyn and Eric Newman on Monday, Nov. 12. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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LaVerne coffee table top draw in M G Neely Auction Nov. 11

This Philip & Kelvin LaVerne ‘Marriage Whirl’ scroll table has a starting bid of $3,000. M G Neely Auction image

LANTANA, Fla. – M G Neely Auction invites customers to attend their Veteran’s Day Palm Beach Antique to Modern Estate Auction. An array of decorative furnishings, jewelry and artwork will be auctioned Nov. 11 at noon. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Martin guitars strike the right chord

An assortment of vintage Martin guitars for sale at the T. Kurosawa & Co. store in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Photo ©Chris Gill

NEW YORK — If there is a gold standard for acoustic guitars, Martin owns it. C.F. Martin & Co., makers of Martin flat-top acoustic guitars and other instruments, opened its doors in New York City in 1833 before moving to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1839. Musicians worldwide, from amateur players to professionals like Johnny Cash, the Beatles and Bob Dylan, have embraced Martins, especially its earlier models.

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Goodwill workers in NJ find original 1774 ‘rebel’ newspaper

This political cartoon (attributed to Benjamin Franklin) originally appeared during the French and Indian War, but was recycled to encourage the American colonies to join the Albany Plan for Union. From The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 9, 1754. Library of Congress image

BELLMAWR, N.J. (AP) – A quick eye by Goodwill workers in southern New Jersey turned up framed pages from an original 1774 Philadelphia newspaper with an iconic “Unite or Die” snake design on the masthead.

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