Part 2 of Marvel Comics artist’s collection at Bruneau & Co., Jan. 1

CRANSTON, R.I. – Part 2 of the Andy Yanchus collection – 564 lots of vintage comics and comic art gathered during the course of a lifetime by the renowned hobbyist – will come up for bid at Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers on New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, beginning at noon Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

On September 17, Bruneau & Co. sold part 1 of the collection, which consisted of plastic models, diecast toys, American models and vintage toys from the 1960s thru the 1990s. A series of further auctions will also be conducted throughout the year, featuring more of Yanchus’s models and toys. Part 2 represents Bruneau & Co.’s largest comic auction to date.

Andy Yanchus was born and raised in Brooklyn. His passion for collecting goes back to early childhood and his love for building and displaying models led him to attend the Pratt School of Industrial Design in New York and to go on to have a 10-year career with Aurora Plastics. While at Aurora, he rose to the level of project manager.

Yanchus then became a staff colorist with Marvel Comics, a job he held for 17 years. He worked on Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men, Alpha Flight and G.I. Joe, among other titles. He also worked alongside Marvel great Dave Cockrum (1943-2006) and the two men became lifelong friends. Cockrum co-created the X-Men characters Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus and Mystique.

Among the offerings will be Cockrum’s original ink and watercolor box art for Aurora Plastics and the Metaluna Mutant model, from the 1955 film This Island Earth. Cockrum brought the mutant to life on the 20 by 14in paper circa 1974 with an ominous red background. It’s signed “Cockrum” and estimated at $7,000-$10,000. The Metaluna Mutant has subsequently gained cult status.

A copy of Marvel Comics Tales to Astonish #90 (April 1967), graded CGC 9.8, featuring the first appearance of the Abomination and the first Silver Age appearance of Byrrah, has an estimate of $10,000-$15,000. The comic is one of eight known and, per the CGC census, none are graded higher than 9.8. Remarkably, it sat unbagged in Yanchus’s collection for more than 55 years.

A copy of Gold Key Green Hornet #1 (Feb. 1967), graded CGC 9.8, based on the Green Hornet ABC television series and featuring a Bruce Lee and Van Williams photo cover, is estimated at $5,000-$8,000. The book is one of two in the CGC census graded 9.8, with none graded higher, and per GP Analysis a 9.8 copy has never been sold on the open market; a 9.6 sold in Dec. 2011.

A copy of Marvel Comics Marvel Premiere #28 (Feb. 1976), graded CGC 9.8, featuring the first appearance of the Legion of Monsters, is estimated at $3,000-$5,000. As the MCU moves into phase 5 we have already been introduced to Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night and Morbius. Per the CGC census, 25 known copies of the comic are graded at 9.8, with none graded higher.

A copy of Marvel Comics Marvel Spotlight #5 (Aug. 1972), graded CGC 9.0, featuring the origin and first appearance of Ghost Rider and the first appearance of Roxanne Simpson, has an estimate of $3,000-$5,000. Per the CGC census, 253 are graded in 9.0; 304 are higher.

The original cover color guide to the unreleased Marvel Comics Black Panther #16 (July 1979), the stat paper page of cover artwork by Rich Buckler and Bob McLeod and hand-colored by Andy Yanchus with color codes and due date hand-written on the verso, is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. Jack Kirby’s Black Panther series ran to issue 15; this book was written but unpublished.

An original 1980 birthday card drawing by Dave Cockrum for Andy Yanchus’s 36th birthday, decorated with the Blackhawk team and Chop Chop holding a birthday cake has an estimate of $1,000-$2,000. The drawing is signed “Cockrum 80” and annotated, “Best Wishes from Dave and Paty!” This unique piece nicely captures the career and friendship of two Marvel legends.

A copy of Marvel Comics Rawhide Kid #52 (June 1966), graded CGC 9.8, featuring a story, cover and art by Larry Lieber, carries an estimate of $1,000-$1,500. Per the CGC census, this is the single highest graded copy (9.8) of this Silver Age classic in the world. Also up for bid will be a copy of Marvel Comics Silver Surfer #3, graded well at 9.6.

To contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, email info@bruneauandco.com or call 401-533-9980. To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, please visit www.bruneauandco.com.

 

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