Bruneau Jan. 1 auction features 20 lots of Silver & Bronze Age comics

CRANSTON, R.I. – Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers will ring in 2022 with a 20-lot New Year’s Day Premier Comic Auction on Saturday, January 1. It’s a modest group of comics, but don’t let the size of the lineup fool you. These books are from a single-owner Midwest collection (Bruneau & Co. sold the bulk of them this past year); what remains are his last, final comics, to be sold without reserves. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

All 20 lots are rare, highly desirable Marvel comics from the Silver and Bronze Age, to include Amazing Fantasy #15, CGC 5.5; Amazing Spider-Man #1 CGC 7.5; Fantastic Four #1 CGC 8.0; Strange Tales #110 CGC 9.2; Incredible Hulk #1 CGC 6.5; and Werewolf By Night #1 CGC 9.8. Comics of this caliber seldom appear at auction.

Three comics carry estimates of $50,000-$80,000. One is lot 11: a copy of Tales of Suspense #39, published in March 1963 and graded CGC 8.5. The comic features the origin and first appearance of Iron Man, plus an iconic cover by Marvel legend Jack Kirby. Two other examples of the comic in the sale, but with lesser grades of 5.5 and 5.0, are estimated at $15,000-$20,000 and $12,000-$18,000.

The second is a copy of Fantastic Four #1, dating to Nov. 1961 and graded CGC 8.0 – the comic that arguably brought the entire Marvel Universe into existence. Featuring the origin and first appearance of the Fantastic Four and Moleman, which was Marvel’s first-ever superhero team, the book sports one of the most famous covers by Jack Kirby in comic history. This is a must-have for dedicated collectors.

The third is a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, published in Aug. 1964 and graded CGC 5.5, featuring the origin and first appearance of Spider-Man and the first appearance of Aunt May and Uncle Ben. The cover art is a collaboration between Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, helping it land in the number one spot atop Overstreet’s list of Top 50 Silver Age Comics. It’s a true Holy Grail collectible.

A copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1, dated March 1963, graded CGC 7.5, and estimated at $30,000-$50,000 is a spinoff of the 11-page feature in Amazing Fantasy #15. It showcases the second appearance of Spider-Man and includes a retelling of his origin, and also features the first appearance of J. Jonah Jameson and the Chameleon, making it the first Fantastic Four crossover. The cover art is by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.

A copy of Tales to Astonish #27, published in Jan. 1962, graded CGC 9.0, and released on newsstands just two months after Fantastic Four #1, is expected to reach $40,000-$60,000. The book features the first appearance of the Ant-Man, with cover artwork by Jack Kirby and interior artwork by Kirby and Steve Ditko. Two other copies in the sale, both graded 6.0, have estimates of $6,000-$9,000.

A copy of Strange Tales #110, dated July 1963 and graded CGC 9.2, boasts the first appearance of Doctor Strange, Ancient One, Nightmare and Wong, as well as the first Paste-Pot Pete and Wizard team-up. It is estimated at $30,000-$50,000. Doctor Strange, aka The Sorcerer Supreme, is the new face of the Avengers through phase four of the MCU.

A copy of Incredible Hulk #1 from May 1962 and graded CGC 6.5 spotlights the origin and first appearance of the Incredible Hulk and also the first appearance of Rick Jones, Betty Ross and General Ross. Its estimate is $30,000-$50,000.

A copy of Journey Into Mystery #83, published in Aug. 1962 and graded CGC 7.0, features the origin and first appearance of Thor, with cover art by Jack Kirby and interior art by Kirby and Steve Ditko. It should bring $20,000-$40,000. Being a 1962 key comic, it’s nearly impossible to find a copy in any condition, let alone a CGC 7.0.

To contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, you may send an e-mail to info@bruneauandco.com. Or, you can phone 401-533-9980.

 

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