CRANSTON, R.I. – Vintage Spider-Man comic books – even ones in poor condition – can still bring dizzying prices at auction, as was proven in Bruneau & Co.’s Comic, TCG, Toy & Sports Auction held December 11. Two early 1960s comics featuring Spidey – one graded CGC 1.0 and the other CGC 2.0 – brought a combined $36,562.
The top lot of the 545-lot sale was a copy of Marvel Comics’ Amazing Fantasy #15 from August 1962, featuring the origin and first appearance of Spider-Man and the first appearance of Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Despite its CGC grade of 1.0, bidders saw it for what it was: a great entry-level copy to the undisputed fan favorite book from the Silver Age of comics. It sold for $25,000.
Realizing it had a winner on its hands, Marvel Comics gave Spider-Man his own comic in March 1963 with Amazing Spider-Man #1. The book featured the first appearance of J. Jonah Jameson and Chameleon, the first Fantastic Four crossover. It also retold the origin story of Spider-Man. The copy sold, graded CGC 2.0, had tape on the cover and inside, but still rose to $11,562.
Other comic books that sold notably well include a copy of Marvel Comics’ Giant-Size X-Men #1 (Summer 1975), featuring the first appearance of the new X-Men and second full appearance of Wolverine, graded CGC 9.2, realized $9,375. A copy of Marvel Comics’ Incredible Hulk #180 (Oct. 1974), featuring the first appearance of Wolverine in cameo on the last page, plus a Wendigo appearance, graded CGC 9.6, hit $8,438.
Sports memorabilia was highlighted by 1930s-era Goudey baseball cards. A 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card #149, graded BVG 2, sold for $8,125; a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card #53, graded BVG 2, realized $7,188; and a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig card #92, graded BVG 4, made $4,500.
In addition, an early 20th-century German Fischer tin clown tricycle windup toy, graded C8, went for $2,875, despite not being in working condition. Kevin Bruneau, Bruneau & Co’s president and an auctioneer, explained, “The paint presented very well, with only minor areas of scratching, while the tin lithography showed slightly darker from age. Otherwise, it was a great example of a scarce and early toy.”
To contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, send an e-mail to info@bruneauandco.com, or phone 401-533-9980.
[av_button label=’Click to view the auction catalog complete with prices realized’ icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ link=’manually,https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/227655_december-11-comic-tcg-toy-and-sports-auction/?keyword=Incredible%20Hulk&page=1′ link_target=” size=’small’ position=’center’ label_display=” title_attr=” color_options=” color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ btn_color_bg=’theme-color’ btn_custom_bg=’#444444′ btn_color_bg_hover=’theme-color-highlight’ btn_custom_bg_hover=’#444444′ btn_color_font=’theme-color’ btn_custom_font=’#ffffff’ id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-7dvx1ac’ admin_preview_bg=”]
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
